Painting the lighthouse

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Portland Bill's largest lighthouse was built in1903-05 and began its working life in 1906. It remains a working lighthouse and has been modernised down the years, most recently in 2019-2020, when a non-rotating LED and a new omnidirectional fog signal were installed.

 

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On our recent visit to the lighthouse it was being painted, a daunting task for many, but just another day's work for the two men tasked with the job.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Watchet harbour light

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What looks like a lighthouse at Watchet, Somerset, is, properly speaking, a harbour navigational mark (or aid). A lighthouse has a flashing light: the light at Watchet is constant green and it marks the entrance to the harbour. It stands on the west pier that was completed in 1860, a time when iron ore was the main commodity exported from the town. The harbour light is 22feet (6.7m) high and is made of cast iron painted red and white. It was designed by James Abernethy and made in 1860 by Hennet, Spinks and Else of Bridgwater, Somerset at a cost of £75.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Portland Bill lighthouse

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Portland Bill is a tip of land at the south end of the Isle of Portland. It sticks out into the English Channel and is the southermost point of the county of Dorset. Portland Bill's low, rocky limestone cliffs have long been a danger to shipping and the Romans used beacons to warn vessels of their presence. The first permanent lighthouses built there date from the early 1700s. In 1844 an obelisk daymark was erected and is still there. The tall red and white painted lighthouse we see today shone its light for the first time in 1906. It remains active today, though is fully automatic rather than permanently manned.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5