A History of Lighthouses: Key Developments and Figures

The Trinity House, initially a guild or fraternity of sailors in Deptford Church, evolved into a corporation overseeing shipping interests^[1]. By the reign of James I, it became a rich and powerful entity with royal charters regulating navigation and administering charities^[1]. The corporation was ambitious, seeking to control buoys and beacons, and claiming the sole right to establish lighthouses^[1]. A squabble ensued between the Crown, the Trinity House, and private lighthouse builders regarding the right to erect lighthouses and collect tolls^[1]. Wealthy shipowners, often colliery owners, viewed lighthouses as a luxury and resisted fixed charges for navigation safety^[1]. Parliament debated, and legal opinions suggested the Trinity House was responsible for coast lights but couldn't impose rates without special patents from the Crown^[1]. Private lighthouse projects faced ruthless opposition from the Trinity House^[1]. By the first half of the seventeenth century, lighthouses were built in considerable numbers with rates gathered, though engineering limitations restricted them to locations not far out at sea^[1].

Early lighthouses used wood or coal fires in open grates^[1]. Medieval lighthouses employed similar construction or utilized candles and oil lamps within towers^[1]. After the Reformation, oil usage declined initially, with coal or wood fires becoming the primary illuminant, though candles were also used^[1]. Enclosing coal fires in lanterns with funnels conserved fuel but diminished light quality, requiring bellows to maintain flames^[1]. The Eddystone's location necessitated alternative luminants, and candles were used there until oillamps were introduced^[1]. Oil's use as a lighthouse illuminant returned in the mid-18th century^[1]. In 1763, William Hutchinson improved light intensity with a flat-wick oillamp and a reflector, later refined by M. Argand's cylindrical-wick lamps and silvered reflectors^[1]. Augustine Fresnel further advanced the system with large concentric-wick lamps and lenses^[1]. Gas was suggested in 1823 but mainly used in piers, harbors, and places near gasworks, while electricity was first tested in 1853 and lime-light in 1862^[1].

The challenge of identifying lights from a distance led to innovations in lighthouse design^[1]. In 1730, Robert Hamblin patented a system placing lights in diverse forms, elevations, numbers, and positions to ensure uniqueness^[1]. Distinguishing lights became more effective through temporary eclipsing^[1]. This system, first tested at Marstrand, Sweden, was adopted by France, which illuminated its coast with lights identified by their visibility and eclipse periods, issuing explanatory charts^[1]. By the 19th century, the Trinity House adopted this practice, and improved its lighthouse policy^[1]. As a result of improvements by Trinity House, privately maintained lights were extinguished, and control of lighthouses passed to the corporation in 1836^[1].

The Farne Islands saw Grace Darling's heroism, trimming and tending lights with her parents at the Longstones lighthouse^[1]. On September 6, 1838, Grace and her family witnessed the Forfarshire steamer struggling in a storm^[1]. The vessel wrecked on Hawkers Rocks, and Grace persuaded her father to attempt a rescue^[1]. Together, they rowed to the wreck, saving survivors clinging to the remains of the ship^[1]. News of their bravery spread rapidly, earning Grace presents, letters, and recognition^[1]. Though offered fame and marriage, Grace remained dedicated to her lighthouse duties, and spent the rest of her days there until her death on October 20, 1842^[1]. A lifeboat at Bamborough bearing her name stands as a lasting tribute to her courage and story^[1].

The lighting of the Eddystone Rocks began earlier than many think, predating Henry Winstanley^[1]. In 1665, Sir John Coryton and Henry Brouncker petitioned to erect coal-fire lights on the south and southwest coast of England, including the Eddystone^[1]. The Trinity House approved the Eddystone proposal, recognizing its potential benefit, but it was never followed through^[1]. Walter Whitfield proposed building a lighthouse on the Eddystone in 1692, but did not build it himself^[1]. Winstanley eventually undertook the project, beginning in 1696, with the support of the guardship Terrible^[1]. Winstanley's lighthouse was completed in 1698 using tallow candles as a source of light^[1]. Despite its innovative design, the structure was vulnerable to storms^[1]. Winstanley wished to be in the lighthouse during a storm to test its strength, a wish that was tragically granted. He died with his creation during the storm of 1703^[1].

John Lovett purchased Winstanley’s interest and the second Eddystone lighthouse, a wooden tower built around a granite core, was designed and built by John Rudyerd in 1708^[1]. This structure stood for nearly half a century before being destroyed by fire in 1755^[1]. Subsequently, John Smeaton built a stone lighthouse, completing it in 1759 and using a series of candles as a light source^[1]. This lighthouse stood until 1881, when it was taken down stone by stone and re-erected on Plymouth Hoe^[1]. By 1881, ahigher and stronger lighthouse was needed, and so Sir James Douglas built another lighthouse^[1]. In 1879, the foundation stone of the new building was laid, and in 1881 the last stone of the tower was placed in position^[1]. It stands 130 feet above the high-water mark and is lit with oil^[1].

Dungeness was a dangerous spot for ships before the erection of a lighthouse^[1]. The surrounding flatness and the presence of Lydd Church steeple confused sailors, leading to frequent shipwrecks^[1]. A lighthouse was built in the early 17th century by Sir Edward Howard, but the Trinity House opposed it^[1]. William Lamplough, who later acquired the lighthouse, was directed to improve the light, as the coal fire had been replaced by candles^[1]. A new, more substantial lighthouse was built in 1635, and in 1792, a new lighthouse, 110 feet high, was erected^[1]. Today, a small revolving light closer to the sea and a siren fog-horn aid navigation^[1].

The Lizard Point's dangerous reefs prompted Sir John Killegrew to build a lighthouse in 1619 out of philanthropy^[1]. Despite initial success, opposition and financial difficulties led to its closure^[1]. Arguments against the lighthouse included fears that it would aid pirates and reduce shipwrecks, thereby depriving locals of salvage^[1]. A successful scheme was put together by a Mr. Thomas Fonnereau^[1]. After his term, an excellent system of illumination was implemented for the benefit of sailors^[1]. In 1878, complete electrical lights system was introduced^[1].