Smeaton Tower, Plymouth.

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A historic account from the 1830s., describing the erection of the famous Smeaton Tower in Plymouth.

 

The present light-house was erected by Mr. Smeaton. The first stone (made from granite blocks) was laid of June, 1757. “Mr Smeaton conceived the idea of his edifice from the waist or bole of a large spreading oak. To expedite the erection of the building the stones were hewn and fitted together on shore, and after every precaution to ensure security had been taken the work was completed in October 1759.

   The lantern of the light-house is an octagon, the frame work being composed of cast iron and copper. On the night of the 16^th October 1759, when the light was first exhibited, a furious storm happened, and the keepers felt a very sensible motion in the building, but, from their convictions of the strength, they were not alarmed.

    The Light-house was at first attended by two men only, but the number was increased to three in consequences of one of the keepers having been placed in distressing situation by the death of his companion. On that occasion a long continuance of bad weather prevented the Eddystone vessel to visit the rock, and the surviving man was obliged to remain with the corpse of his deceased partner for a month.

Smeatons light-house remained with us until 1877 when erosion to the rocks below the light-house caused it to shake from side to side when it was hit by large waves.

It was then dismantled and rebuilt on the Plymouth Hoe as a memorial.

Guest House in Plymouth.

Plymouth lighthouse.

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A 1830s historian’s account of the Rudyyerd lighthouse, Plymouth.

The second light-house was erected by Mr. John Rudyerd, a silk mercer of Ludgate-hill, London and was constructed of stone and timber. The principal aim of Mr Rudyerd appears to have been use and simplicity, and, in furtherance of his design, all useless ornaments were laid aside.

The building formed the frustrum of a cone, entirely free from any projection which might endanger its security. It was commenced in 1706 and completed in 1709; it stood till 1755, a period of forty-six years, when it was totally destroyed by fire.

On this singular circumstance happened, as one of the light keepers named Henry Hall, a man aged 94 years, was looking upwards to observe the progress of the flames, a shower of melted lead fell from the roof and a quantity of the liquid metal passed down his throat. The man having disclosed this fact was not believed, but on his death, which took twelve days after the accident, his body was opened, and a solid piece of lead weighing seven ounces and five drachms, was found in his stomach.

The actual piece of lead found in Henry Hall’s stomach is now exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland.

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Plymouth Guest House