The History of St. Mary's Island and Lighthouse
The Shields Daily News
A NEW LIGHTHOUSE AT ST. MARY'S ISLAND
INAUGURAL CEREMONY
The new lighthouse, which has been erected on St. Mary's Island, near Whitley Bay, was illuminated for the first time last night, in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen who had been invited to the inaugural ceremony. The structure is located on Curry's Point, and it is intended to replace the old lighthouse on Priory Point, Tynemouth. Two reasons are given for the change.
The first is that Tynemouth lighthouse is very much enveloped in smoke from the Tyne; and further, that the situation of the St. Mary's light is more nearly midway between Souter Point and the Coquet lighthouses; also, that from its position, jutting further out to seaward, it makes a better landmark.
The other reason is that in consequence of the importance of the Tyne, the War Office have taken measures to protect the entrance, and the Tynemouth lighthouse was found to be very much in the way.
The construction of the new light has occupied over two years, numerous difficulties having been encountered during the progress of the operations.
The buildings are Heworth stone, and are of a most substantial character. The lighthouse is circular in shape, and 120 feet from base to vane. The lantern is reached by a corkscrew staircase of 137 steps, and the illuminant is of the first order dioptric apparatus, with a five wick Trinity House burner in focus, paraffin being used as the illuminant. The weight of the revolving lens is four tons, and it is floated in mercury in a supporting frame weighing seven tons.
The intensity of the beam is 121,500 candles in thick weather, and 81,000 in clear weather. It gives two flashes in quick succession every 20 seconds; and will be visible in clear weather at a distance of 17 miles.
The contract for the lighthouse has been carried out by Mr. J. L. Miller, of Tynemouth, and Messrs. J. Tweddle & Co., of Newcastle, provided the ironwork used in the construction of the premises. The lantern was designed by Mr. T. Matthews C. E., engineer-in-chief to the Board.
A committee of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House arrived in the Tyne yesterday in the Trinity yacht 'Irene' from Granton.
The committee consisted of Captain Vyvian and Captain Burne, and they were accompanied by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Chancellor of the Exchequer; Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S., scientific adviser to the Board; Sir W. Hart Dyke M.P.; and Mr. Charles Kent, secretary. They were met at St. Mary's Island by Mr. Thomas Matthews, C. E.; Mr. B. Morton, district superintendent, Sunderland; and Mr. J. L. Miller. The lantern was lighted at dusk by Miss Miller and Miss Wilson of Tynemouth, and the apparatus was inspected by a large number of visitors. The Trinity Brethren and party returned to the 'Irene', which was moored near the Wellesley Training Ship, and proceeded out to sea for the purpose of viewing the new light.
On occasion of the inauguration of the new light, that at Tynemouth was discontinued, after doing service for 200 years.
At the invitation of Mr. Miller, a cold collation was served in a cottage adjoining the lighthouse, - Major Chamberlain proposed the health of the contractor, and said the work completed that day would be the means of handing down to prosperity the name of Mr. Miller. The new lighthouse, he said, was part of a scheme to light the whole of the coast of the United Kingdom .- Mr Miller briefly responded, and the proceedings were brought to a close.
Extract from The Shields Day News, Thursday, September 1, 1898
August 3, 2007 North Tyneside Libraries 2007-8