Trevose Head Lighthouse

Trevose Head Lighthouse

File:Trevose Head Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 38438.jpg
Trevose Head Lighthouse
Coordinates
Year first constructed	1847
Automated	1995
Height	27 m (89 ft)
Focal height	62 m (203 ft)
Current lens	1st Order 3 Panel Catadioptric
Intensity	89,900 Candela
Range	20 nmi (37 km; 23 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 7.5s
Fog signal	2 blasts every 30s

Trevose Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Trevose Head on the north Cornish coast at grid reference SW850766 lying to the WSW of Padstow and was sited here as there was previously no light from Land's End to Lundy and would be visible from Cape Cornwall to Hartland Point.

File:Trevose Head Lighthouse illustration - The Illustrated London News 16Oct1847.jpg

The newly built Trevose Head lighthouse, Cornwall, England showing both 'high' and 'low' lights - from "The Illustrated London News" 1847

After completion of the first tower, it was determined that the light was under certain circumstances liable to be mistaken by mariners. A second lower light was therefore proposed and constructed 50 feet in front of the first light, with a covered passage between them for use by the lighthouse keepers. Only the first built 'high' light now remains.

The tower is 27 metres (89 ft) tall, and has a range of 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi), but, on a clear night, you can just spot the light from Pendeen Lighthouse, over 35 miles (56 km) away.

Construction

Designed by engineer James Walker the two original lights, 'high' and 'low', were constructed under the supervision of Henry Norris by builders Jacob & Thomas Olver of Falmouth with the Fresnel lens supplied by Henry Lépaute of Paris and the lamp with 4 concentric wicks & frame manufactured by Messrs. Wilkins & Co. of Long Acre.

The site was surveyed by order of the Trinity Board in July 1844 with a design submitted that November and approved February 1845. Building began in that May with the laying out of the road and contract entered into with the builders the next month. During gales on 20-21 November 1846 scaffolding attached to the tower was blown away.

The light was first lit on 1 December 1847.

In 1882 the 'high' light was changed to an occulting light and the 'low' light put out of use. In 1912 the light was again updated and work began on installing a 36 feet long fog horn which came into service in 1913 and was itself replaced by a new horn in 1963. The lighthouse was automated and became unmanned in 1995.

External links

• Trevose Head Lighthouse Information at Trinity House