St Bees Lighthouse, near Whitehaven

Image: © Colin Park Taken: 3 Oct 2022

At 102 metres above sea level, and 17 metres high, St Bees Lighthouse has the highest elevation of the Trinity House lighthouses.  It was also the last coal-powered lighthouse in the UK.  A patent was first granted for a lighthouse at St Bees Head in 1718. A coal fire burned at the top of the tower, but the light was often obscured by poor weather or smoke, leading to complaints from ship owners. The lighthouse was leased by Trinty House to Thomas Lutwige who collected light dues to maintain the light from the neighbouring ports of Whitehaven, Maryport and Whitehaven. In 1822 when tragedy struck at the lighthouse when a fire broke out.  The fire destroyed the lighthouse and the keeper’s wife and five children were killed. A new tower replaced the 1718 tower.  Designed by Joseph Nelson, the new lighthouse had an enclosed lantern.  This lantern housed 15 Argand oil lamps with parabolic reflectors. An explosive fog signal was established in 1913. In the mid-1950s St Bees lighthouse was electrified, and an electric fog tannoy was installed in the 1960s.  This signal is located in a separate building close to the cliff edge.  The fog signal was later discontinued. The lighthouse was automated in 1987 when the keepers were removed, and the light was monitored remotely.

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