New Brighton Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Liverpool Bay New Brighton, Merseyside England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°26′40″N 3°02′32″W / 53.444334°N 3.042309°W |
| Year first constructed | 1683 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1830 (current) |
| Deactivated | 1973–2016 |
| Construction | granite tower |
| Tower shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern |
| Height | 28.5 metres (94 ft) |
| Characteristic | Fl W(2) R(1) |
The New Brighton Lighthouse is a famous landmark in New Brighton, Merseyside. It's also known as Perch Rock Lighthouse. Long ago, in the 1800s, people called it Black Rock Lighthouse.
This lighthouse stands where the River Mersey meets Liverpool Bay. It's built on a rocky spot called Perch Rock. Next to it is Fort Perch Rock, a fort from the time of Napoleon. Together, they are well-known sights on the Wirral Peninsula.
History of the Lighthouse
The lighthouse's name comes from a "Perch." This was a simple wooden stand with a lantern on top. It was first put up in 1683. Its job was to guide ships safely past the rocks.
As the Port of Liverpool grew, the old perch wasn't good enough. It needed a lot of repairs and didn't give off much light. So, in 1827, work began on the lighthouse you see today.
Building the Tower
Tomkinson & Company built the new lighthouse. They used strong granite blocks from Anglesey. These blocks fit together like puzzle pieces, using special "dovetail joints" and "marble dowels."
The design was similar to the Eddystone Lighthouse, built many years before. The New Brighton Lighthouse looks like the trunk of an oak tree. It's a white tower with a red iron top where the light shines. It stands about 29 meters (95 feet) tall.
Lighting the Way
The lighthouse first lit up in 1830. Its light showed two white flashes, then one red flash, every minute. It used 30 special lamps called Argand lamps. These lamps were on a spinning frame. One side had red glass to make the red flash.
The lighthouse also had three bells under its top balcony. These bells rang to warn ships when it was foggy. The same clockwork system that spun the lights also rang the bells.
Life After Lighting
The lighthouse worked continuously until October 1973. It was then "decommissioned," meaning it was no longer used for guiding ships. Newer technology made it unnecessary.
Even though its light and fog bells are gone, the lighthouse is very well kept. It still has many original parts that other old lighthouses might have lost. In 2001, it was cleaned and repainted. An LED light was added that flashed the names of people lost at sea, including all 1,517 victims of the Titanic sinking.
When the tide is low, you can walk right up to the base of the tower. However, you need a tall ladder (about 25 feet) to reach the entrance. The Kingham family privately owns and looks after the lighthouse. It is a special historic building, listed as Grade II*.
In 2015, the lighthouse got a new LED light system powered by solar panels. This was thanks to a grant from the Coastal Revival and New Brighton Coastal Community Team. This new light can be seen from the land. It flashes the same way the old light did: two white flashes followed by a red flash.
See also
- List of lighthouses in England
- Grade II* listed buildings in Merseyside
