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]

Teignmouth Lighthouse
View of the lighthouse looking inland
Map
LocationTeignmouth
OS gridSX9403572484
Coordinates50°32′33″N 3°29′49″W / 50.542474°N 3.496847°W / 50.542474; -3.496847
Tower
Constructed1845 Edit this on Wikidata
ConstructionLimestone
Height6 m (20 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
ShapeCylindrical
OperatorTeignmouth Harbour Commission Edit this on Wikidata
HeritageGrade II listed building Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1845
Focal height10 m (33 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicF R Edit this on Wikidata

History

edit
 
Teignmouth Lighthouse from Shaldon

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

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Lighthouse Compendium". www.mycetes.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. ^ Historic England. "LIGHTHOUSE, Teignmouth (1269045)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Teignmouth - The Lighthouse". www.devonheritage.org. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Lighthouse management : the report of the Royal Commissioners on Lights, Buoys, and Beacons, 1861, examined and refuted Vol. 2". 1861. p. 366.