All the information about Scarborough lighthouse. Details of opening to the public. Fascinating stories from the history of the lighthouse in Scarborough harbour...
It was quite a while before I actually realised that Scarborough had a lighthouse...! I love lighthouses, so I was surprised that I had never noticed...
When I did see it, I wasn't actually so surprised that I'd always missed it...
The lighthouse is quite unprepossessing, and in a seemingly insignificant position in the harbour (when viewed from the town), so it hardly dominates the area, by any means...
Nevertheless, it is quite an attractive building, and does actually have a very interesting story behind it, which I was very interested to learn, and I will share with you in a bit...
The lighthouse is currently operational, but is manned only during the summer months, when it is also open to the public...
The Scarborough lighthouse is now run by Scarborough Ports and owned and managed by Scarborough Borough Council
History of Scarborough Lighthouse
The earliest lighthouse is thought to date from 1801-1804. Sources are unclear, and it may or may not be the same building as is mentioned in 1806. It was a simple, flat building, with the 'lighthouse' being a single brazier on the roof.
1806
A brick building was built, surrounded by railings, with a flat top.
This was designed by a surveyor called Nixon.
During the daytime a red flag was displayed
At night, a coal brazier was lit on the top
This was replaced by 6 tallow candles (hard to imagine this being very effective, isn't it...?)
After a few years, a tin reflector was added behind the candles to increase illumination
In 1818 this was replaced by a copper reflector
A night watchman remained on duty to keep the candles alight
1843
An adjoining building was built for the harbour master/lighthouse keeper, and other improvements were made.
1844
The light tower was raised a further 17ft, and the candles were replaced by gas lights
The ensuing 'white light' created by the gas lights caused much confusion and public outcry after the previous 'red' candle lights.
1840's and 1850's
Further alterations and additions were made to the lighthouse and adjoining buildings
By WWI
Electricity had been introduced
During WWI
The most 'traumatic' event of Scarborough lighthouse's career happened on the morning of December 16th 1914, in what has become known as the 'Scarborough Bombardment'.
Between 8am and 8.30am, 2 battle cruisers bombarded the town with shells. 18 people were killed, and more than 200 buildings were damaged.
The very last shell of the bombardment hit the top part of Scarborough lighthouse, and so severely damaged the building that it had to be demolished a few days later (December 19th).
No official funds were forthcoming to repair the lighthouse, so the Scarborough Townsmens Guild had to raise the money from public donations. This took 14 long years.
1931
22 December 1931 - the Scarborough lighthouse officially re-opened (originally with a 'red' light, again causing confusion and outcry. It was eventually ordered to be replaced once again by a 'white' light).
It also had a foghorn. This was used during WWII as an air raid siren.
