Trinity House and Lighthouse Administration

While signal-lights and beacon-fires already existed on rocky headlands and at the mouths of frequently used havens, the increase in England's marine activity necessitated a more effective and uniform system^[1]. The owners of these private lights and beacons often levied excessive tolls on passing ships, as erecting and maintaining a lighthouse was a profitable venture^[1]. The privileges conferred upon the Trinity Corporation thus incited very general discontent^[1]. In the reign of James I, an attack was made upon them an attack by no means unwelcome to the king, because the revocation of these privileges by the Crown would have placed in its hands the disposal of a valuable monopoly^[1].

The judges charged with examining the Trinity Corporation's claims were considerably embarrassed by the royal action^[1]. Eventually, the different parties concerned arrived at a compromise, to the effect that the fraternity of the Trinity House should retain its authority to erect lighthouses, but that the Crown should enjoy the same privilege by virtue of the common law^[1]. Hence, instead of the lighting of our coasts remaining exclusively, as Elizabeth had intended, in the hands of the Trinity Corporation, it was divided by the Crown among numerous private individuals, and the old evil system was to a great extent re-established^[1]. The privilege again became such a source of pecuniary advantage that great exertions were made to obtain it^[1]. Even a man like Lord Grenville could enter in his diary the significant memorandum: 'To watch the moment when the king is in a good temper, to ask of him a lighthouse'^[1].

Eventually, the system was found to be an intolerable burden upon navigation^[1]. Many of the lights were shamefully deficient in power; others were allowed to fall into disuse, and yet the heavy tolls continued to be levied^[1]. Parliament was constrained to interfere; and in the reign of William IV an act was passed which made over all the interests of the Crown to the Trinity House, and empowered it to buy up the lights in the hands of private individuals^[1]. As this corporation has usually exhibited no ordinary activity, intelligence, and conscientious zeal for the efficiency of its work, the lighthouse service of England has been brought into a very effective and complete condition^[1].

These three boards, 1. The Corporation of the Trinity House of Deptfwd Strand for England, 2.The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses for Scotland; and 3. The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin for Ireland, are all under the general control of the Board of Trade^[1]. Before new lighthouses are erected by the Trinity House, they must be sanctioned by the Board of Trade^[1]. Prior to the erection of a Scotch or Irish lighthouse, the Trinity House must be consulted, and in the event of a difference of opinion arising, the Board of Trade pronounce their decision, which is final^[1].