Teignmouth Lighthouse Explained

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. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1949.

History

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.^[1] The limestone lighthouse tower was built in 1844–1845 and came into service in 1845.^[2] 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.^[3]

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

• Teignmouth Lifeboat Station

Notes and References

1. Web site: Teignmouth - The Lighthouse. www.devonheritage.org. 2018-12-02.
2. Web site: Lighthouse Compendium. www.mycetes.co.uk. en. 2018-12-02.
3. Web site: Lighthouse management : the report of the Royal Commissioners on Lights, Buoys, and Beacons, 1861, examined and refuted Vol. 2 . 1861 . 366 .