St. mary lighthouse uk

St. Mary's Lighthouse, located on St. Mary's Island in Whitley Bay, England, is a decommissioned 19th-century lighthouse now serving as a museum and nature reserve.

About this subject

St. Mary's Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on St. Mary's Island, off the coast of Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear, northeast England. Built in 1898 by engineer Thomas Matthews, it was designed to guide ships along the treacherous North Sea coast. The cylindrical masonry tower stands 38 meters tall and features an original lantern room with a first-order Fresnel lens. During operation, the lighthouse emitted a beam visible for 17 nautical miles, initially powered by oil and later electrified in the 1920s.

The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1984, replaced by a modern buoy. Today, it is managed by North Tyneside Council and open to the public as a museum. Visitors can climb the 137 steps to the top for panoramic views of the coast and the North Sea. The island also hosts a nature reserve with a rich bird population, including gulls, cormorants, and turnstones, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

Notably, the lighthouse was the site of the first successful test of radio communication between a lighthouse and a ship in 1899, conducted by Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi. This historic experiment connected the lighthouse to the SS Robin, demonstrating the potential of wireless telegraphy. The island is accessible via a pedestrian bridge during low tide but becomes isolated at high tide, adding a unique charm to visits. St. Mary's Lighthouse remains a symbol of British maritime heritage and a beloved tourist destination in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is St. Mary's Lighthouse?

St. Mary's Lighthouse is 38 meters tall, with 137 steps to the top of the tower.

Can you visit St. Mary's Lighthouse?

Yes, the lighthouse is open to the public as a museum. The island is accessible via a bridge during low tide but becomes isolated at high tide.

What historic experiment took place at this lighthouse?

In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi conducted the first successful test of radio communication between the lighthouse and the ship SS Robin.