Gallery
Flamborough Lighthouse Position 54░ 06'.97 N 00░ 04'.86
W
A lighthouse was first
established at Flamborough by Sir John Clayton in 1669, but
was never kindled. The name Flamborough was first thought to
be derived from it being the place of the flame, but in the
domesday book the word is spelt "Flaneberg", possibly from the
Saxon "Flaen" meaning a dart, which the shape of the headland
resembles.
The present lighthouse, designed by
architect Samuel Wyatt, was built by John Matson of
Bridlington in 1806 at a cost of ú8,000. It was first lit on
1st December of that year. The original lighting apparatus was
designed by George Robinson and consisted of a rotating
vertical shaft to which was fixed twenty one parabolic
reflectors, seven on each of the three sides of the frame. Red
glass covered reflectors on each side, giving for the first
time in lighthouse characteristics two white flashes followed
by one red flash. This was an innovation quickly adopted
elsewhere. The lighthouse was oil-burning, with an equivalent
candle power of 13,860.
The following description of
Flamborough Lighthouse is taken from Joseph Cotton's "Memoir
on the Origin and Incorporation of the Trinity House of
Deptford Strond" written in 1818.
Alderney Lighthouse
was automated in 1997 with the keepers leaving the lighthouse
on 1 October. The lighthouse is now monitored and controlled
from the Trinity House Operational Control Centre at Harwich
in Essex.
The site of Flamborough-head was of all
others the most calculated for a lighthouse, either for
coasters or for vessels from the Baltic and North Sea, but it
was not concurred in by the trade until lately, when its
utility having been admitted, the present lighthouse was
erected, and the light exhibited upon the principle of the
Scilly light, but with coloured red glass in front of the
burners, by which it is distinguished from Cromer.
The
lighthouse has continued its role as a waypoint for deep sea
vessels and coastal traffic as well as marking the headland
for vessels heading for the ports of Scarborough and
Bridlington.
In 1940 the Flamborough Lighthouse was
electrified and further modifications took place in 1974. An
electric fog signal was installed in 1975 replacing diaphone
apparatus. In former times a rocket was discharged every 5
minutes in foggy weather reaching an altitude of 600
feet.
Flamborough Lighthouse was automated in early
1996, the keepers leaving on 8 May. The existing aids to
navigation were retained with standard Trinity House equipment
replacing the lampchanger and optic drive. The fog signal was
refurbished and a standard fog detector fitted. The lighthouse
is now controlled and monitored from the Trinity House Depot
at Harwich.
Specifications
Established |
1669 |
Height Of Tower |
27 Metres |
Height Of Light Above Mean High
Water |
65 Metres |
Automation |
May 1996 |
Lamp |
1 KW MBI |
Optic |
1st Order Catadioptric Fixed
Lens |
Character |
4 White Flashes Every 15
Seconds |
Intensity |
650,000 Candela |
Range Of Light |
24 Sea Miles |
Fog Signal Character |
2 Blasts Every 90
Seconds | |
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