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The following article is adapted from an original by Mike Underwood, and is reproduced by kind permission of
Mike Underwood and David John Williams [*]
(the last Breakwater Lightouse keeper).
[*] Mr. Williams is now an officially designated Trinity House lecturer, and can be contacted by phoning (01407) 831306.
THE HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER LIGHT
by Mike Underwood
53° 20'1 N 004° 37'1 W.
On the original plans for the new 'Harbour of Refuge' at Holyhead in the 1840s the proposal was for two sea walls
enclosing an outer harbour, a Northern breakwater from Soldier's Point, and an eastern breakwater emerging from Salt Island.
Construction work on the outer harbour wall was in full progress in 1854, when commencement of the south eastern breakwater
was abandoned as the planned narrow easterly harbour entrance was unfavourable to mariners. Instead, the north-western
breakwater was extended by a further 2500 feet in a north-easterly seaward direction. This resulted in the Holyhead Breakwater
having it's zigzagging formation. On it's completion in 1873, after 28 years
in construction, it was hailed an engineering triumph. At one and one third miles in length, it was the longest continuous
breakwater in the British Isles. The 60 foot wide double-decked structure culminates in a T-shaped breakwater head which is 150 feet
across by 50 feet wide and 42 feet above low water.
The lighthouse tower stands centrally at the head surounded by a parapet wall. The light tower, built of
dressed ashlar masonry from an Anglesey limestone quarry, is 32 feet high from ground to gallery level,
and is 20 feet 4 inches square at its base. On its double-stepped plinth, it tapers slightly giving a
solid squat appearance. The lantern is standard, consisting of helical formation-glazing with a conical
lantern roof surmounted by a ball ventilator finial and weather vane. The white-painted tower, having a
broad black band and white circular lantern, is unusual but not unique, as there are other examples of
square towers at Coquet Island and Bardsey lighthouse. For the two-manned station, the keepers accommodation
was extremely sparse; a basement entrance from boat landing place situated on the lower landward level leads
to a basement store for coal, oil (L.M.O.), water storage tanks and a W.C. Cast iron steps lead downwards
to ground floor level which also has an entrance doorway on the S.E. side. Upon withdrawal of the resident
keepers this became the engine room, with an emergency diesel generator and batterries being installed.
On the first floor the bedroom/living room had built-in bunks for the comfort of the keepers. The service
room on the top floor is directly below the lantern and is primarily for the holding of all spares and tools
for the main light apparatus. Upon its establishment on 19th August 1873, Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse was
officially handed over in a grand ceremony by the Rt. Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., President of the
Board of Trade, to the Corporation of Trinity House, and accepted by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, Master
of Trinity House, H.R.H. Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales, Honoury Elder Brother of the Corporation,
and Captain Fredrick Arrow, Deputy Master of Trinity House. The lighting apparatus installed was a
35mm petroleum vapour burner with a Chance Brothers four panelled optic and pedestal containing the
clockwork drive mechanism. The dreive-weight tuular pillar decends through the tower centre. Red shades
were fitted to the inside of the lantern's diamond shaped glazing, this exhibited a red flash of light
every 7 seconds, having a range of about 14 miles on clear nights. On the seaward side of the tower a
large fog-bell was installed at gallery level, sounding 3 strokes every 15 seconds, also operated by
a clockwork drive mechanism. In addition, rockets were fired when Packet steamers were expected in
poor weather.
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Modernisation plans for the station, commenced in the 1960s, consisting of electrification and remote
control equipment being introduced. The lighthouse keepers went ashore on November 27th 1961, when control
of the station was transfered to the British Transport Commission who had taken over the port of Holyhead
from the Board of Trade in 1949. New equipment including the latest Stone Chance electrically operated
6-panel rotating miniature optic beacon, the old prismatic lens being dismantled and red lantern shading
removed. In its new status, the light characteristics were altered to three white flashes every 15 seconds.
A fog-siren giving one blast every 20 seconds was introduced, the bell being discontinued and later removed.
The tower, accommodation, windows and entrance were boarded up and secured against intruders and vanalism.
As a result of the privertisation of certain authorities in die 1980s, jurisdiction for the breakwater
was again transfered from the B.T.C. to Sealink Harbours, and in turn the harbour facilities were taken over
by Stena-Line Ports. In the summer of 1996 green shades were fitted to die light, giving a flashing green
sequence thus reducing the light range. An electric Nautophone fog-signal has also been installed. Due to
much recent increase in background lighting in the vicinity, it is planned to illuminate the lighthouse
tower and increase the light intensity.
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© The
Holyhead Breakwater Railway Group 2004-2006.
This project is sponsored by
communities first | cymunedau yn gyntaf.
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