Southwold Lighthouse
{{short description|Lighthouse in Southwold, Waveney, Suffolk, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name = Southwold Lighthouse
| image = Southwold -Suffolk -lighthouse -23Sept2007.jpg
| image_width = 240
| caption = The lighthouse in 2007
| location = Southwold, Suffolk
| coordinates = {{coord|52|19|38|N|01|40|53|E|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt = 1890
| yearlit =
| automated = 1938
| yeardeactivated =
| foundation =
| construction = brick tower
| shape = cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| marking = white tower and lantern
| height = {{convert|31|m|ft}}
| focalheight = {{convert|37|m|ft}}
| lens = 1st order 920 mm focal length, catadioptric fixed lens (original), Pelangi PRL400TH (current)
| intensity = 17,100 candela
| range = {{convert|24|nmi|km}}
| characteristic = White rotating – flashing once every 10 seconds
| fogsignal =
| racon =
| country =
| countrynumber =
| countrylink =
| managingagent =
}}
Southwold Lighthouse is a lighthouse operated by Trinity House in the centre of Southwold in Suffolk, England. It stands on the North Sea coast, acting as a warning light for shipping passing along the east coast and as a guide for vessels navigating to Southwold harbour.
The lighthouse, which is a prominent local landmark, was commissioned in 1890, and was automated and electrified in 1938. It survived a fire in its original oil-fired lamp just six days after commissioning and today operates a 180-watt main navigation lamp. This lamp has a range of {{convert|24|nmi|km mi}}.
History
Construction of the lighthouse began in 1887, led by Sir James Douglass, Engineer in Chief of Trinity House.[https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses-and-lightvessels/southwold-lighthouse Southwold Lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509190842/https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses-and-lightvessels/southwold-lighthouse |date=9 May 2016 }}, Trinity House. Retrieved 29 October 2012. A light was lit on a temporary structure in February 1889 and the lighthouse itself began operating on 3 September 1890. Previously, three fixed lights had been displayed from the cliff at Southwold; these were now discontinued. Both the lantern (the uppermost part of the structure) and the optic (a first-order fixed Fresnel lens), had originally been built by Chance Brothers in 1868 for Happisburgh Low Lighthouse; they became available for re-use when the latter light was demolished in 1883.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2005/07/02/coast05walks_stage2.shtml Point 2 – The Lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217150749/http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2005/07/02/coast05walks_stage2.shtml |date=17 December 2007 }}, BBC News Suffolk, 2 July 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
{{stack|File:Lighthouse lens - geograph.org.uk - 514903.jpg}}
The light was initially powered by a six-wick Argand oil burner;[http://www.pelangi.co.uk/appnotes/32064-Southwold%20PRL400.pdf Application note 32064 – Southwold Conversion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221215857/http://www.pelangi.co.uk/appnotes/32064-Southwold%20PRL400.pdf |date=21 February 2014 }}, Pelangi. Retrieved 4 January 2013. it displayed a group occulting characteristic (the light being eclipsed twice every 20 seconds){{cite web |title=The Sea - Southwold's Lighthouse |url=https://www.southwoldmuseum.org/thesea_lighthouse.htm |website=Southwold Museum |accessdate=21 January 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622180833/http://www.southwoldmuseum.org/thesea_lighthouse.htm |url-status=live }} and had a visible range of {{convert|17|nmi}}.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/26090/page/5098 |title=London Gazette, Issue 26090, Page 5098, 23 September 1890 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225101817/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/26090/page/5098 |url-status=live }} The light was white, but shone red across defined sectors to the north and to the south (indicating the Barnard sands and Sizewell Bank respectively); in addition, 'spare' light, which would otherwise have shone needlessly westwards, was diverted by way of vertical condensing prisms so as to intensify these red sectors.
Just six days after the light was commissioned there was a fire in the lighthouse with the burner being destroyed.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2005/07/04/coast05walks_peter_austin_feature.shtml Discovering Southwold] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220100634/http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2005/07/04/coast05walks_peter_austin_feature.shtml |date=20 December 2018 }}, BBC News Suffolk, 4 July 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2012.[http://www.southwoldmuseum.org/thesea_lighthouse.htm The sea – Southwold's Lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614133513/http://www.southwoldmuseum.org/thesea_lighthouse.htm |date=14 June 2012 }}, Southwold Museum. Retrieved 29 October 2012. The inexperience of the new lighthouse keepers was blamed for the fire.
The burner was replaced with an oil-fired light in 1906 and a petroleum burner in 1923. The light was electrified and automated in 1938, at which time the light characteristic was changed to group flashing, 6 flashes every 20 seconds (modified to 4 flashes in 1965). It was converted to battery operation, with the batteries charged using mains electricity, in 2001. Until 2013 a cluster of three 90-watt Osram Halostar lamps provided the main light within the optic (which had a range of {{convert|17|nmi|km mi}}).
The lighthouse, along with Lowestoft Lighthouse to the north, was threatened with closure by Trinity House in 2005, with shipping companies increasingly using satellite navigation systems rather than relying on lighthouses.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4747201.stm Landmark lighthouses may be axed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813215845/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4747201.stm |date=13 August 2023 }}, BBC News, 4 August 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2012.Barnes, Jonathan. (4 August 2005). [http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/historic_lighthouses_face_closure_1_72557?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot Historic lighthouses face closure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074356/http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/historic_lighthouses_face_closure_1_72557?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot |date=4 March 2016 }}, East Anglian Daily Times, Retrieved 29 October 2012. Both lighthouses were reprieved in 2009 following a review by Trinity House that found that satellite navigation systems were not yet sufficiently reliable.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4223087/Lighthouse-wins-reprieve-as-sat-nav-for-ships-not-reliable-enough.html Lighthouse wins reprieve as sat nav for ships not reliable enough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009063645/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4223087/Lighthouse-wins-reprieve-as-sat-nav-for-ships-not-reliable-enough.html |date=9 October 2017 }}, The Daily Telegraph, 9 January 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
File:Lighthouse, Southwold 13-09-2014 (19369482922).jpg
Then in December 2012, the range of Southwold's light was increased to {{convert|24|nmi|km mi}}, to compensate for the imminent closure of Orfordness Lighthouse (which took place in June 2013).Rogers, Lauren (12 May 2011) [http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/southwold_lighthouse_reach_will_be_extended_to_keep_mariners_safe_1_891007 Southwold Lighthouse reach will be extended to keep mariners safe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313083739/http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/southwold_lighthouse_reach_will_be_extended_to_keep_mariners_safe_1_891007 |date=13 March 2016 }}, Lowestoft Journal. Retrieved 29 October 2012.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-14574721 Orfordness Lighthouse: last chance for the public to visit?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026213503/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-14574721 |date=26 October 2018 }}, BBC News Suffolk, 18 August 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2012.[http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/mariner_info/notice_to_mariners/b/03082012_1.html Notice to mariners 38/2012 B5 Southwold LH] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222110631/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/mariner_info/notice_to_mariners/b/03082012_1.html |date=22 December 2012 }}, Trinity House, 3 August 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-23091214 Orfordness Lighthouse gets switched-off and left to the sea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110113013/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-23091214 |date=10 November 2018 }}, BBC Suffolk news website, 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013. This was achieved by installing a new main light: a BLV Topspot 90 Volt Metal Halide 150-watt lamp placed within a small revolving optic. To make space for it within the lantern room the upper prismatic section of the old optic was removed (one section was put on display at the foot of the tower, another was loaned to Happisburgh Lighthouse where it has been put on display not far from its original location).{{cite web |title=1 March 2019 [photo] |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian-s/27922202775 |website=uklighthousetour |date=18 June 2016 |accessdate=27 March 2019}} The central and lower sections of the old lens, together with its lamp, have been retained for use as an emergency backup.
Current display
{{stack|File:Southwold, Lighthouse (16216675698).jpg}}
Since January 2016 a 180-watt revolving MFR (LED reflector) lamp{{Cite web |url=http://mesemar.co.uk/aids-to-navigation/lighthouse-equipment/#1493218605435-a2f35506-be492af8-546a |title=Link: Lamp details on Mediterraneo Sanales Maritimas site |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530141516/http://mesemar.co.uk/aids-to-navigation/lighthouse-equipment/#1493218605435-a2f35506-be492af8-546a |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live}} manufactured by Mediterraneo Sanales Maritimas has been in use as the main lamp.[https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/notice-to-mariners/01/2016-southwold-lighthouse Notice to mariners 01/2016 Southwold Lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528052042/https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/notice-to-mariners/01/2016-southwold-lighthouse |date=28 May 2018 }}, Trinity House, 15 January 2016. The current light characteristic is one white flash every 10 seconds (Fl(1).W.10s) visible between 204°–032.5°.[http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/mariner_info/notice_to_mariners/b/05112012.html Notice to Mariners – 49/2012 B6 Southwold LH] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221234840/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/mariner_info/notice_to_mariners/b/05112012.html |date=21 December 2012 }}, Trinity House. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013. The white light is used for general navigation. Red sectors, previously used to mark shoals to the north and offshore sandbanks at Sizewell to the south, were removed as part of the 2012 refit.
Buildings
File:Staircase in Southwold lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 514893.jpg
The lighthouse is {{convert|31|m|ft}} tall, standing {{convert|37|m|ft}} above sea level. It is built of brick and painted white, and has 113 steps around a spiral staircase.[http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/vc_generic_leaflet.pdf See inside a lighthouse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604151503/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/vc_generic_leaflet.pdf |date=4 June 2012 }}(pdf), Trinity House. Retrieved 29 October 2012. Two keeper's cottages were built next to the lighthouse rather than living quarters being made in the lighthouse itself.
The lighthouse is a Grade II listed building.[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-484878-the-lighthouse-southwold-suffolk The Lighthouse, Southwold] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222060140/http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-484878-the-lighthouse-southwold-suffolk |date=22 February 2014 }}, British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 29 October 2012. Guided visits are, from 2023, run by the Adnams brewery, which stands nearby, and may be booked via that company's website.{{Cite web |title=Southwold Lighthouse visitor centre {{!}} Trinity House |url=https://trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouse-visitor-centres/southwold-lighthouse-visitors-centre |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2023 |website=Southwold Lighthouse visitor centre {{!}} Trinity House |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406155206/https://trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouse-visitor-centres/southwold-lighthouse-visitors-centre }}
File:The Sole Bay Inn and Southwold lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 1162939.jpg
The lighthouse was the site of charity abseil events in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The events raised money for the Southwold lifeboat operated by the RNLI from Southwold harbour.[http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/bernard_s_southwold_lighthouse_challenge_1_993781 Bernard's Southwold lighthouse challenge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504205912/http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/bernard_s_southwold_lighthouse_challenge_1_993781 |date=4 May 2014 }}, Lowestoft Journal, 14 August 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2013.[http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/daring_abseilers_brave_dizzying_lighthouse_heights_1_993656 Daring abseilers brave dizzying lighthouse heights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514055519/http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/daring_abseilers_brave_dizzying_lighthouse_heights_1_993656 |date=14 May 2014 }}, East Anglian Daily Times, 15 August 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2013.[http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/actor_bernard_hill_abseils_down_southwold_lighthouse_for_rnli_1_2329610 Actor Bernard Hill abseils down Southwold Lighthouse for RNLI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911154932/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/actor_bernard_hill_abseils_down_southwold_lighthouse_for_rnli_1_2329610 |date=11 September 2013 }}, Eastern Daily Press, 11 August 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
Cultural references
The lighthouse has featured in television programmes, including an episode of Kavanagh QC[http://www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=152&categoryID=1108&pageNumber=1 Southwold Camping and Caravan Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902153014/http://www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=152&categoryID=1108&pageNumber=1 |date=2 September 2012 }}, Waveney District Council. Retrieved 29 October 2012. and the children's television series Grandpa in My Pocket. It also appears in the art house movie Drowning by Numbers, directed by Peter Greenaway. Adnams brewery, which operates from the town, has named a pale ale Lighthouse in recognition of the importance of the lighthouse as a landmark in Southwold and has featured the lighthouse on promotional material., Adnams Southwold. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Engineering}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Lighthouse Digest|1246}}
- [https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses-and-lightvessels/southwold-lighthouse Southwold Lighthouse] at the Trinity House website
- {{NHLE |num=1384444|desc=The Lighthouse}}
{{Lighthouses of Trinity House}}
{{Lighthouses in England}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Lighthouses completed in 1889
Category:Lighthouses in Suffolk
Category:Grade II listed buildings in Suffolk
Category:Grade II listed lighthouses