They are the buildings that have saved countless lives at sea by guiding ships to safety in some of the world's most dangerous locations.
And a new book has revealed the most fascinating and stunning lighthouses from around the world. Lighthouses: Beacons of the Sea by author David Ross charts 150 both operational and abandoned lighthouses in places ranging from busy coastlines to desolate islands. The tome also shows how they witness the most extremes of weather, from heavenly sunsets to being encased in ice.
With a focal height of 125ft, the Gadeokdo East Breakwater Lighthouse in South Korea is built of concrete and sweeps up in a quarter-circle arc like the prow of a ship. Painted red, it stands at the west end of a detached breakwater. Its light is also red, flashing every four seconds
Completed in 1990, the Jeddah Port Control Tower in Saudi Arabia is a 431ft structure and is one of the world’s tallest lighthouses. It incorporates a light and an observation platform. Built in futuristic style from steel and concrete, it incorporates lifts for personnel and visitors. It emits three white flashes every 20 seconds
Thick ice clings to the Outer Lightouse at St Joseph North Pier on Lake Michigan in the USA. It has a 35ft iron tower and raised access walkway, at the end of the harbour breakwater. Since 2008, the outer and inner lights have been managed by the city as a historic site
The Ban Tha Thewawong Lighthouse in Thailand is a white tower supported by a broad square upper section with a viewing platform and topped by a lantern under temple-like roofs. The total height is 128ft. Built in 2012, it is privately maintained and lit up at night. It also emits a white flash every 3.3 seconds
An ornate octagonal cast-iron tower 156ft tall and completed in 1896, Les Pâquis Lighthouse is a famous Geneva landmark. It is regularly floodlit, but still functions as a lighthouse, with white and green lights beamed in separate directions
The tallest lighthouse of the Nordic countries, standing on a rocky islet at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, the Bengtskär Lighthouse in Finland rises 151ft above the rock. Built of local granite in 1906, it was converted to windpower electricity in 1983, and renovated in the 1990s. It emits three white flashes every 20 seconds
The Bressay Lighthouse in Shetland is a cylindrical masonry tower, built in 1858, and is 152ft high. Automated in 1989, its light has been maintained by the Lerwick Port Authority since 2012. Formerly with a 26-mile) beam, it is now visible for 12 miles
The Dry Tortugas Lighthouse at Loggerhead Key in Florida is the remotest lighthouse of the United States, established in 1858. Built of brick, in standard frustum form, it is 157ft tall. The light was electrified in 1933, and automated in 1988. Since 2015 it has been operated by a VRB-25 beacon
Happisburgh Lighthouse in Norfolk has been warning shipping about coastal sandbanks since 1790. Officially declared redundant in 1988, it has operated under local management since 1990. It is the only independently run coastal lighthouse in the UK. The double red-banded tower is 85ft high, with a triple white flash every 30 seconds
Overlooking the artificial Lake Ray Hubbard at Rockwall in Dallas, Texas, this white-painted octagonal lighthouse, designed in traditional style, was opened in 1968. Standing at 35ft high, and with a diameter of eight feet, it shows a revolving white light
[All images taken from the book Lighthouses: Beacons of the Sea, by David Ross]
Let's our experience be your next adventure!
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment