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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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