St Catherine's Lighthouse facts for kids
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| The lighthouse, with fog-signal tower attached | |
| Location | St Catherine's Point Isle of Wight England |
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| Coordinates | 50°34′32.4″N 1°17′51.9″W / 50.575667°N 1.297750°W |
| Year first constructed | c. 1323 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1838 (current) |
| Automated | 1997 |
| Construction | ashlar |
| Tower shape | octagonal tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern |
| Height | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Focal height | 41 m (135 ft) |
| Intensity | 821,000 candela |
| Range | 25 nmi (46 km; 29 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
St Catherine's Lighthouse is a lighthouse found at St Catherine's Point. This is the very southern tip of the Isle of Wight in England. It is one of the oldest places in Great Britain to have a lighthouse.
Contents
Early Lighthouses and Their Beginnings
The first lighthouse here was built in 1323. It was on St Catherine's Down, a hill nearby. The Pope ordered it after a ship crashed and lost its goods. This first lighthouse was part of St Catherine's Oratory. Its eight-sided stone tower is still there today. People often call it the "Pepperpot."
Later, in 1785, another lighthouse was started nearby. But it was never finished. This was because the hill often had thick fog. People sometimes call this unfinished one the "Salt Pot."
The Current Lighthouse: A Look Back
The lighthouse you see today was built by Trinity House in 1838. It was first a tall stone tower, about 40 meters high. When it first opened, it used oil for its light. The lamp had four wicks and a large, special lens. This lens was called a first-order dioptric lens. It also had 250 mirrors to help the light shine far.
The lighthouse first lit up on March 1, 1840. But the light was often hidden by fog. So, in 1875, the tower was made shorter by 13 meters. At the same time, a new lamp was put in. It used mineral oil and had six wicks. Special prisms were also added. These prisms sent light from the land side out to sea.
Fog Signals: Helping Ships in the Fog
In 1868, a fog signal was added. It was in a building on the cliff edge. This signal used a special engine to make a loud sound. It sounded once every 20 seconds. In 1876, the sound was changed to a more powerful siren. It made two blasts every four minutes.
In the 1880s, the lighthouse changed to electric power. A powerful electric lamp was installed in 1888. It used special machines powered by steam engines. St Catherine's was the last lighthouse in England to get this type of electric lamp. A new, spinning lens was also added. This lens made a five-second flash every thirty seconds. More homes were built for the extra staff needed to run the new equipment.
A new fog signal building was also built in 1888. It had two loud sirens. These sirens made two blasts every minute: a high note and then a low note. The air for the sirens came from the engine house.
Light Changes and Upgrades
From 1890, a narrow red light was added. This red light warned ships about dangerous areas west of St Catherine's Point. It showed a flashing red light in that direction. A special system also sent a fixed red beam from inside the tower.
In 1901, different fog signals were tested at St Catherine's. A scientist named Lord Rayleigh helped with these tests. His special fog signal design was later used at other lighthouses.
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In 1904, the old spinning lens was removed. A new, more powerful lens was put in its place. This new lens spun much faster. It made a quick flash every five seconds. People said it was the most powerful light in the country. Its beam could sometimes be seen from 60 miles away! As part of this upgrade, the red warning light was moved. It now shone from a window lower down in the tower.
In the 1920s, the electric lamp was replaced. A new, powerful light bulb was installed. It used electricity from the main power supply. If the bulb failed, a backup lamp would automatically turn on. The 1904 lens was kept, but an electric motor now turned it.
By 1932, the fog horn building was falling apart due to erosion. It was taken down. A smaller tower was built next to the lighthouse for a new, stronger siren. On June 1, 1943, a bombing raid hit the engine house. Three lighthouse keepers died. After the war, a new type of fog signal was installed. This was replaced again in 1962 with an air horn. The fog signal was stopped completely in 1987.
Until 2021, the 1904 spinning lens was still in use. The lighthouse could shine its light for 25 nautical miles. It was one of the most powerful lights managed by Trinity House. In late 2020, plans were approved to remove the old lens and put in a new LED light.
St Catherine's Lighthouse Today
In July 2021, Trinity House announced that the light's range would be shorter. It changed from 25 nautical miles to 19 nautical miles. In October 2021, the old lens system was removed. The lantern room is now empty. Trinity House says the lens is being stored while they decide what to do with it. A temporary LED lamp has been placed outside. New equipment will be installed inside the lantern soon.
A red warning light still shines from a lower window in the tower. This light marks a dangerous area called Atherfield Ledge.
Volunteers used to give tours of the lighthouse. But in January 2020, Trinity House announced that the lighthouse would close to visitors. They said it was too expensive to keep the visitor center open. However, cottages around the lighthouse can be rented for holidays.
A special antenna is set up between the lighthouse and a mast. It sends out signals for DGPS, which helps ships find their exact location.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Punta de St. Catherine para niños
- List of lighthouses in England
