South Bishop Lighthouse

The South Bishop Lighthouse is a lighthouse on South Bishop Island (also known as Emsger), a small rock approximately 5 miles (8 km) west of St Davids Head in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

South Bishop Lighthouse
Wales
LocationSouth Bishop island
St George's Channel
Wales
United Kingdom
Coordinates51.852714°N 5.411925°W / 51.852714; -5.411925
Year first constructed1839
Automated1983
Constructiongranite tower
Tower shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / patternwhite tower and lantern
Tower height11 m (36 ft)
Focal height44 m (144 ft)
Current lens4th Order Catadioptric
Light sourcesolar power
Intensity60,000 CD
Range16 nmi (30 km)
CharacteristicFl W 5s.
Fog signal3 blasts every 45s. (range of 2 nmi (3.7 km))
Admiralty numberA5276
NGA number5596
ARLHS numberWAL-024
Managing agentTrinity House[1] [2]
HeritageGrade II listed building 

History

In 1831 the traders of the port of Cardigan made an application to build a light, and this was authorised in 1834.[3] Designed by James Walker, the lighthouse was built on the island in 1839, acting both as a waymark for vessels navigating offshore and as assistance to ships navigating around the Bishops and Clerks island group.

The lighthouse was converted to electric operation in 1959, and in 1971 a helipad was constructed at the site. Finally, the lighthouse was automated and demanned in 1983.

Like many in the UK, it is now monitored from the control centre at Trinity House in Harwich, Essex, England.

Architecture

The tower is built of granite, and is circular with a slight taper. A cornice at the top of the tower has iron railings, this is unusual in lighthouses designed by James Walker. Accommodation for the keepers was provided in two adjoining houses, which were built at the same time as the tower. Other buildings accommodate equipment.[3]

Seabirds

It was built in the path of many migrating sea birds, and the brilliance of the light at night often led the birds to dash themselves against the lantern. Many died and, when Trinity House and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds teamed up, they together came to the conclusion to build special bird perches on the side of the lighthouse lantern. After this the number of deaths decreased considerably.

See also

References
  1. South Bishop The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2 June 2016
  2. South Bishop Lighthouse Trinity House. Retrieved 2 June 2016
  3. "South Bishop Lighthouse". Coflein. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2020.


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