Eddystone Lighthouse

Historical Evolution of Eddystone Lighthouse: Need for a light due to dangerous Eddystone Rocks Winstanley’s wooden lighthouse (1698) destroyed in 1703 Rudyards’ conical tower (1709) lasted nearly 50 years before a fire Smeaton’s stone lighthouse (1759) marked a significant design advancement Douglass’ lighthouse (late 19th century) based on Smeaton’s techniques Design and Construction Details: Smeaton recommended stone construction for durability Use of local Cornish granite and Portland stone Influence of an oak tree’s shape on stability and design Later modifications included optic upgrades and fog signal improvements Douglass’ lighthouse specifics: granite volume, optic type, light range, and signaling methods Modern Features and Present Status: Douglass’ lighthouse is 49m high with a flashing light visible up to 22 nautical miles Foghorn blasts at regular intervals for signaling Red sector light highlights hazards Smeaton’s Tower rebuilt as a tourist attraction and civil engineering monument Original base of Smeaton’s Tower remains on Eddystone Rocks Cultural References and Media Portrayal: Lighthouse used as a metaphor for stability in literary works Inspiration for music, film, and pop group names Featured in sea shanties Celebrated for its engineering significance Various historical and architectural references Additional Resources and Further Reading: Various historical accounts and publications related to Eddystone Lighthouse External links for more information and media Books on lighthouse systems, historical narratives, and specific lighthouse construction details References to related lighthouses and monuments like Hook Lighthouse and Hoad Monument