Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
| Sumburgh Head Lighthouse | ||
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| Place: | Mainland , Shetland Islands , Scotland | |
| Location: | Shetland , Scotland , United Kingdom | |
| Geographical location: | 59 ° 51 '14.3 " N , 1 ° 16' 27.6" W | |
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| Construction time: | 1819-1821 | |
| Operating time: | since 1821 | |
The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse , German Sumburgh Head lighthouse , is a lighthouse on the Scottish Shetland island of Mainland . In 1977 the lighthouse was listed in the Scottish List of Monuments in the highest category A.
The lighthouse is located at Cape Sumburgh Head , which marks the southernmost point of Mainland. The beacon is at a height of 91 m above sea level, which results in a range of 23 nautical miles (around 42 km). The tower is identified by three white flashes every 30 seconds.
history
The site of the lighthouse on the Sumburgh Head headland was previously the remains of a historic fort . The name of the location is derived from this. Sumburgh is derived from the Old Norse “Sunn Borg” for “castle in the south”. Robert Stevenson , who would later also be responsible for the planning of the lighthouse, explored the site in August 1815 and considered it suitable for the construction of a lighthouse. Work began in January 1819 and were purchased from the company John Reid from Peterhead performed. In 1821, the Shetland Islands' first lighthouse was completed and started operating. Instead of the 21 reflectors common at the time, it was equipped with 26. Annual running costs were £ 650.
From the second half of the 19th century, 15 cases are recorded in which the guard on duty fell asleep while on duty. This is the most serious offense of a lighthouse keeper, since a signal light that goes out cannot be noticed or the machinery could be damaged due to an undetected malfunction. In 1871 two of the lighthouse keepers were fired after it became known that they had agreed not to report falling asleep at work. More outbuildings were added in 1905 and the Sumburgh Head lighthouse was finally fully automated in 1991.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
- ↑ a b c Information from the Northern Lighthouse Board
Web links
- Entry on Sumburgh Head Lighthouse in Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland database