West Blockhouse Point Beacons

West Blockhouse Point Beacons
Map
LocationWest Blockhouse Point, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates51°41′18″N 5°09′33″W / 51.6884°N 5.1592°W / 51.6884; -5.1592
Tower
Constructed1957 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionthree reinforced octagonal concrete towers with cantilevered octagonal platform
Automated1957 Edit this on Wikidata
Height14 m (46 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorMilford Haven Port Authority Edit this on Wikidata
West light Edit this at Wikidata
Height35 ft (11 m) Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height53 m (174 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicF R Edit this on Wikidata
Centre light Edit this at Wikidata
Height13.5 m (44 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height54 m (177 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range13 nmi (24 km; 15 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicF W Edit this on Wikidata
East light Edit this at Wikidata
Height49 ft (15 m) Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height53 m (174 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicF R Edit this on Wikidata

The West Blockhouse Point Beacons are three leading light beacons, they perform the same function as a lighthouse and are situated on the promontory to the west side of the entrance to Milford Haven, and lie about a mile north-east of St. Ann's Head in Pembrokeshire, Wales.[1][2] They consist of three octagonal reinforced-concrete towers of 30 feet (9.1 m), 37 feet (11 m) and 46 feet (14 m) in height, with sides 1.5 feet (0.46 m) in width,[1] surmounted by cantilevered octagonal concrete platforms on which stand sealed-beam lights. The lights are accessed by ladders which extend up the columns through an opening in the platform. Each column carries a steel daymark painted black and white.[1]

Close up view of two of the beacons

There is also a leading light beacon on the cliff below West Blockhouse Fort, set up by Trinity House engineers in 1957. This has a second-hand round metal lantern (ex Rame Head) which is 2 feet 7 inches (0.79 m) in diameter, supported on a bolted iron pedestal, standing on a concrete platform cantilevered from the cliffs and reached by a steeply descending flight of steps.[1]

The beacons are operated by the Milford Haven Conservancy Board and are approached via Dale then the road to St Ann's Head, turning left into Maryborough Farm Road, and then taking a right turn.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hague, D. B., Lighthouses of Wales, Their Architecture and Archaeology, edited by Hughes, S., Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, 1994, ISBN 1-871184-08-8
  2. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Wales". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. ^ Denton, A., & Leach, N., Lighthouses of Wales, Landmark Publishing Ltd., 2008, ISBN 978-1-84306-459-6