2002

NZ4064 : Souter Lighthouse

taken 22 years ago, near to Whitburn, South Tyneside, England

This is 1 of 39 images, with title Souter Lighthouse in this square
Souter Lighthouse
Souter Lighthouse
Not all lighthouses are in inaccessible remote locations and this one is off the A183 just outside South Shields - which must have made life a good deal easier for its keepers. Nevertheless, the dark threatening sky gives it a wild feel on this March day. Since 1990 it has been a National Trust Property and is open to the public.
Souter Lighthouse

When it opened in 1871 Souter was the most advanced lighthouse in the world. It is sited on Lizard Point but named after Souter Point about one mile south, to avoid confusion with the Lizard Lighthouse in Cornwall. This lighthouse was designed by Sir James N. Douglas of Trinity House, with cottages for the engineer and four keepers, engine house, boiler house and workshops constructed together around a courtyard, the lantern housed at the top of a 75 foot high tapered stone tower, at a total of 150 feet above sea level. This lighthouse was the first specifically constructed to be powered by electric illumination. The original carbon arc lamps (now in the Science Museum) were replaced by oil in 1915 and then modernised with electric lamps in 1952. The original power hall forms part of a group with the lighthouse, workshops and houses. It was built by Robert Allison of Whitburn, decommissioned in 1988 and is today owned by the National Trust.

The lighthouse is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former keeper and a man called Bob, a colliery worker who died in the lighthouse in the 1930s. Objects are said to vanish, especially in the engine room where tools often disappear, coinciding with a smell of tobacco smoke. A figure has been seen walking along the corridor to the staircase. In the kitchen female members of staff have been grabbed by unseen hands and cutlery pulled from people's hands.
Tyne and Wear HER(2489): LinkExternal link

Souter Lighthouse and the surrounding coastal area (The Leas) are currently owned by the National Trust LinkExternal link

Souter Lighthouse is a Grade II* Listed Building (List Entry Number: 1185593) LinkExternal link

Wikipedia: LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Communications Air, Sky, Weather Primary Subject: Lighthouse other tags: National Trust Property Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · South Shields [16] · National Trust Property [15] Title Clusters: · Souter Lighthouse [39] ·
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Grid Square
NZ4064, 267 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Stephen McKay   (more nearby)
Date Taken
March 2002   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 30 April, 2020
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NZ 4080 6416 [10m precision]
WGS84: 54:58.2238N 1:21.8521W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NZ 4084 6415
View Direction
West-northwest (about 292 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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