South Stack Lighthouse

The South Stack Lighthouse is built on the summit of a small island off the north-west coast of Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales. It was built in 1809 to warn ships of the dangerous rocks below.

South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse in 2012
Map
LocationHoly Island, Anglesey, Wales
Coordinates53°18′24″N 4°41′58″W / 53.30667°N 4.69944°W / 53.30667; -4.69944
Tower
Constructed1809
Constructionstone tower
Automated1983
Height28 m (92 ft)
Shapetapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower and lantern
OperatorTrinity House[1][2]
HeritageGrade II listed building, National Monuments of Wales Edit this on Wikidata
Fog signalone 3s. blast every 30s. (range of 2 nmi (3.7 km; 2.3 mi))
Light
Focal height60 m (200 ft)
Lens1st order six panel catadioptric rotating
Intensity467,000 candela
Range24 nmi (44 km; 28 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 10s.

History

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The lighthouse has warned passing ships of the treacherous rock below since its completion in 1809. The 91-foot (28 m)-tall lighthouse on South Stack was designed by Daniel Alexander and the main light is visible to passing vessels for 24 nmi (44 km; 28 mi), and was designed to allow safe passage for ships on the treacherous DublinHolyheadLiverpool sea route. It provides the first beacon along the northern coast of Anglesey for east-bound ships. It is followed by lighthouses, fog horns and other markers at North Stack, Holyhead Breakwater, The Skerries, the Mice, Point Lynas and at the south-east tip of the island Trwyn Du. The lighthouse is operated remotely by Trinity House.[2] It has been visited by the team at Most Haunted.

Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and tour the engine room and exhibition area. The lighthouse is open seasonally.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Wales". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b "South Stack Lighthouse". trinityhouse.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
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