U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom
Longstone Lighthouse
(Outer Farne Islands, Northumbria)
A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom
History
The Longstone Lighthouse, or Outer Farne as it was first called, is situated on Longstone Rock, one of the Outer Staple Islands. A light was requested for these islands by Sir John Clayton in the late 17th century and by Captain J. Blackett in 1755. Unfortunately both were rejected as the Elder Brethren of Trinity House were unable to obtain the consent of the affected parties to pay a toll for the maintenance of the light.
However, in 1826 it was found essential for the welfare of shipping off the Northumberland coast to construct a lighthouse in the Farne Group on the Longstone Rock, which lies about 6 miles from the mainland on the westernmost side of the reef. Vegetation was very scanty being predominantly mat grass.
The Lighthouse, designed and built by Joseph Nelson is a red and white circular tower built of rough stone with iron railings around the lantern gallery. The light originally came from the Argand lamps with 12 burners, parabolic reflectors 21 inches in diameter and 9 inches deep and a catadioptric optical apparatus. The cost of the Lighthouse and the dwellings was approximately £4,771, the lantern alone costing £1,441.
The island was a bleak situation to endure and the isolation must have been terrible, often storms were so bad as to drive the family into the upper rooms of the tower to seek refuge, the waves being so enormous that they covered the living quarters.
Longstone Lighthouse is most famous as the scene of the Forfarshire wreck and the exploits of Grace Darling, a daughter of the keeper in charge. In September 1838 the steamer Forfarshire, bound from Hull to Dundee, went aground on Hawkers Rocks, about a mile from the Lighthouse, when 43 people were drowned; the stern portion of the vessel being split off and carried away in the storm. The forepart, to which clung the survivors, remained fast on the rocks. At daybreak William Darling, the keeper, and the fishermen ashore saw the wreck, but the waves were beating against the rocks so much that the fishermen thought it impossible to attempt a rescue and even Darling hesitated. He was finally persuaded to make the attempt by his daughter, with her as the second hand in the small lighthouse boat. On reaching the wreck after a terrific struggle they brought back 4 men and 1 woman in their frail open boat and later a further four survivors; all 9 had to be accommodated and fed at the lighthouse for 2 days until the storm abated and they could be taken to the mainland. This gallant action made Grace Darling and her father famous. The Royal Human Society voted them its gold medal, the Government made them a grant and a public subscription was organized.
Major alterations were made to the Lighthouse in 1952 and the light was converted to electricity.
Longstone Lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in September 1990 and is now monitored from the Trinity House Operations and Planning Centre at Harwich.
A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom
Specifications
Established 1826
Height Of Tower 26 Metres
Height Of Light Above Mean High Water 23 Metres
Automated 1990
Electrified 1952
Lamp 1 Kw Mbi
Optic Small 3rd Order Catadioptric Twin Spectacle Lens
Character 1 White Flash Every 20 Seconds
Intensity 640,000
Range Of Light 24 nautical miles
Fog Signal Character 2 Blasts Every 60 Seconds
A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom
Visitor Centre
The Longstone Lighthouse, or Outer Farne as it was first called, is situated on Longstone Rock, one of the Outer Staple Islands.
Sail out to this isolated Lighthouse in the beautiful Farne Islands, famous for the daring rescue of survivors of the Forfarshire shipwreck by the Lighthouse Keeper and his daughter, William and Grace Darling, in 1838.
Visitors can view Graceʹs tiny bedroom from where she spotted nine survivors desperately clinging to the rocks. Despite a raging storm, the Darlings launched the lighthouse boat and rescued the survivors, caring for them in the lighthouse for two days until the storm subsided.
The Longstone Tour
The Longstone tour includes a 30‐min tour (approx) of the inside of the lighthouse, a cruise around the Farne Islands to view the seabirds and the famous Grey Seal colony, with full commentary en‐
A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom route. Trip lasts approx 2 hours. Landing/opening of the lighthouse is at the boatmanʹs discretion in line with Health and Safety Regulations.
Tours of Longstone Lighthouse are organized by Golden Gate Boats under license from the Corporation of Trinity House.
Contact Details
+44(0)1665 721 210 or +44(0)1655 721 819 [email protected]
A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY