The Eddystone rocks are 14 miles south of plymouth sound & represent a notorious hazard for shipping in the channel,
In 1695 henry winstanley built the first lighthouse there, his insistance in its design ultimately cost him his life as 7 years later a storm washed the light and winstanley away...
John Rudyerd built a futher light in 1711 and this was destroyed by fire in 1755...
Still ships were in danger and Mr John Smeaton commenced work on his light in Dec 1756...Portland stone blocks were used as opposed to the usual wooden structures...his design was said to be based on that of a great oak tree...strong at the base & allowing the waves to pass almost through it...
interestingly under the balcony are wave deflectors - showing how rough the conditions could get (tower is 86ft high:crazy)
The tower would still be there now, however the rock on which it was build started to subside... and it was decided the light would be taken down, piece by piece and reassembled in Plymouth Hoe...the stump of smeatons tower can still be seen from the Hoe next to the current "Douglass" light....
The Lighthouse standing proud on Plymouth Hoe...
Nemesis heading up...
The Light
Electric light inside
Tinside lido & Drakes island from the light
Tallow candle position
Steps up to the candles
Air vents
walk way
bedroom & tiny beds!
kitchen & stove...
Ensciption reads
"Except the lord builds the house they labour in vain THAT build it"
oil room
internal spiral staircase
Kernow Expeditionary Force heading down....
interesting visit - take a look!
In 1695 henry winstanley built the first lighthouse there, his insistance in its design ultimately cost him his life as 7 years later a storm washed the light and winstanley away...
John Rudyerd built a futher light in 1711 and this was destroyed by fire in 1755...
Still ships were in danger and Mr John Smeaton commenced work on his light in Dec 1756...Portland stone blocks were used as opposed to the usual wooden structures...his design was said to be based on that of a great oak tree...strong at the base & allowing the waves to pass almost through it...
interestingly under the balcony are wave deflectors - showing how rough the conditions could get (tower is 86ft high:crazy)
The tower would still be there now, however the rock on which it was build started to subside... and it was decided the light would be taken down, piece by piece and reassembled in Plymouth Hoe...the stump of smeatons tower can still be seen from the Hoe next to the current "Douglass" light....
The Lighthouse standing proud on Plymouth Hoe...
Nemesis heading up...
The Light
Electric light inside
Tinside lido & Drakes island from the light
Tallow candle position
Steps up to the candles
Air vents
walk way
bedroom & tiny beds!
kitchen & stove...
Ensciption reads
"Except the lord builds the house they labour in vain THAT build it"
oil room
internal spiral staircase
Kernow Expeditionary Force heading down....
interesting visit - take a look!
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