Teignmouth lighthouse is a lighthouse situated on the south end of the Den promenade at Teignmouth, Devon, England. It is paired with a red polycarbonate leading light at Powderham Terrace behind the lighthouse.[1] It has been a Grade II listed building since 1949.[2]
 View of the lighthouse looking inland | |
 | |
| Location | Teignmouth |
|---|---|
| OS grid | SX9403572484 |
| Coordinates | 50°32′33″N 3°29′49″W / 50.542474°N 3.496847°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1845  |
| Construction | Limestone |
| Height | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Shape | Cylindrical |
| Operator | Teignmouth Harbour Commission |
| Heritage | Grade II listed building |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1845 |
| Focal height | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Range | 6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) |
| Characteristic | F R |
History
edit
The entrance to the River Teign has dangerous currents, rocks and shifting sands, posing a danger to vessels and thus was deemed to require a navigational aid. Under the Harbour Commissioners, planning for the lighthouse commenced in the early 1840s.[3] The limestone lighthouse tower was built in 1844–1845 and came into service in 1845.[1] It was lit by three gas burners, with reflectors, and showed a fixed red light (with a range of 7 nautical miles) to guide ships to the mouth of the harbour.[4]
The lighthouse is currently maintained by the Harbour Master and continues to guide vessels through the channel's sand bars into the harbour.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Lighthouse Compendium". www.mycetes.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ Historic England. "LIGHTHOUSE, Teignmouth (1269045)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ "Teignmouth - The Lighthouse". www.devonheritage.org. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ "Lighthouse management : the report of the Royal Commissioners on Lights, Buoys, and Beacons, 1861, examined and refuted Vol. 2". 1861. p. 366.
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