Trinity House Obelisk facts for kids
The Trinity House Obelisk is a tall stone pillar built a long time ago in the 1800s. You can find it at Portland Bill, which is the very southern tip of the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. This special monument was put there to help ships stay safe. It is also known as the Trinity House Landmark.
What is the Trinity House Obelisk?
An obelisk is a tall, narrow, four-sided pillar that tapers to a pyramid shape at its top. The Trinity House Obelisk was built in 1844. Its main job was to act as a "daymark." A daymark is a special type of sign that helps ships navigate during the daytime. It guides them away from dangerous areas.
Why Was It Built?
The waters around Portland Bill can be very tricky for ships. There is a hidden shelf of rock that sticks out about 30 metres into the sea. This underwater rock can be very dangerous for boats, especially when the tide is low. The obelisk was built to warn sailors about this hidden danger. It helps them know where the safe waters are.
How Was It Made?
The Trinity House Obelisk is made from Portland stone. This is a famous type of stone that comes from the Isle of Portland itself. The obelisk stands about seven metres tall, which is like two tall giraffes stacked on top of each other! On its north side, you can see the letters "TH" and the year "1844" carved into the stone. "TH" stands for Trinity House, the organization that built it.
Saving the Obelisk
In 2002, there was a plan to take down the obelisk. The organization that owned it, Trinity House, thought it was too expensive to keep maintaining. However, people in the area loved the obelisk and wanted to keep it. They worked hard to save it, and thankfully, it was protected. The obelisk has been a Grade II Listed building since 1978. This means it is an important historical building that should be preserved.
