Mumbles Lighthouse

Mumbles Lighthouse
The Lighthouse at Mumbles Head
Map
LocationMumbles Head
Swansea
Wales
Coordinates51°34′01″N 3°58′16″W / 51.566853°N 3.971235°W / 51.566853; -3.971235
Tower
Constructed1794
Constructionbrick tower
Automated1934
Height17 metres (56 ft)
Shapetwo-stage octagonal tower with double balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower and lantern
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorTrinity House[1][2]
HeritageGrade II* listed building, National Monuments of Wales Edit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height35 metres (115 ft)
Lensbiformed pair of Tideland Ml300 beacons
Intensity13,700 candela
Range15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
CharacteristicFl (4) W 20s.

Mumbles Lighthouse, completed in 1794, is a lighthouse located in Mumbles, near Swansea.[3] The structure, which sits on the outer of two islands off Mumbles Head, is clearly visible from any point along the five mile sweep of Swansea Bay. Along with the nearby lifeboat station, it is the most photographed landmark in the village.

Mumbles Lighthouse (1857)

The tower has two tiers and initially two open coal fire lights were displayed.[3] These open coal fire lights were difficult to maintain and were soon replaced by a single oil-powered light within a cast-iron lantern.[3]

In 1860, the oil-powered light was upgraded to a dioptric light and the Mumbles Battery, a fort that surrounds the tower, was built by the War Department.[4]

In 1905, an occulting mechanism, where the light was made to flash, was fitted. This was partially automated in 1934.[4]

By 1977, the cast-iron lantern had deteriorated beyond repair and was removed. A different lantern was added in 1987.[4]

In 1995, the main light was replaced and an array of solar panels and emergency monitoring equipment were added.[3]

  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Wales". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ Mumbles Lighthouse Trinity House. Retrieved 1 June 2016
  3. ^ a b c d "Mumbles". Trinity House. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Matthew Jenkins. "The Mumbles Lighthouse". Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project. Retrieved 12 April 2011.