An experienced yachtsman sailing across the Irish Sea will know about Skerries Lighthouse off the North West Anglesey coast in the UK. When they approach Holyhead Bay either from Dublin in the west or the north, this lighthouse on an isolated rock off the island coast will soon come into view. Today the Trinity House lighthouse on Skerries Rock is fully automatic and its 23 metres in height means the white flashing light can be seen by sailors up to 22 miles away.
As well as hosting a navigational aid to ships and yachts, the rock also acts as a monitoring site for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who send bird watching teams to monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world. If we scroll back about 200 years, however, things were so different. An Irishman called William Trench in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner on Anglesey.
A big challenge lay ahead but undaunted William Trench set about building the very first lighthouse on Skerries rock, and in 1716 his efforts were rewarded when the lights on. For sure it was not as powerful as current lamps, but the 35 feet high tower had an open grate and a flame produced by burning coal. The enterprising Mr Trench exploited this valuable service by charging passing ships a fee based on tonnage, except for the British Navy.
Levies charged in 1730 amounted to as much as $2,200 each year, a significant reward for the time. And over the following years the annual fees increased so that they were about $23,000 in 1828. During this time ownership of Skerries Lighthouse changed a few times and significantly in 1841, Trinity House paid $990,000 for the freehold, a very large figure for the 19th century.
It is a major navigational challenge for yachtsmen to sail through the Langdon Ridge, between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey, even at the best of times. Many sailors decide not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night as the tidal currents are so strong and the rocks not far away. With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay you can progress quickly over the land passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby. This tidal asset has led to a strong interest in developing a tidal power lagoon using latest underwater turbine technology.
Sailing around Anglesey can be great fun. And you can enjoy marine wildlife - cormorants, puffins, dolphins and puffins -either from the sea or the coastal path. When you pass Skerries Lighthouse just try to imagine the struggles of William Trench all those years ago, and how now these Anglesey Lighthouses protect ships and yachts. Kayak enthusiasts sometimes kayak to Skerries from Church Bay, and they have to measure the wind and tide to avoid missing their destination in these tidal waters.
So over 250 years ago William Trench started the Skerries Lighthouse story and it has been a colourful one since. The rock witnessed the end of sail and advent of steam, and the lighthouse keepers would have admired famous ships like the Great Eastern and Royal Charter, as well as seen numerous wrecks. Yachts and kayaks sometimes visit the rock and this Anglesey Lighthouse, while a large tern colony exists on the rock.
As well as hosting a navigational aid to ships and yachts, the rock also acts as a monitoring site for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who send bird watching teams to monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world. If we scroll back about 200 years, however, things were so different. An Irishman called William Trench in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner on Anglesey.
A big challenge lay ahead but undaunted William Trench set about building the very first lighthouse on Skerries rock, and in 1716 his efforts were rewarded when the lights on. For sure it was not as powerful as current lamps, but the 35 feet high tower had an open grate and a flame produced by burning coal. The enterprising Mr Trench exploited this valuable service by charging passing ships a fee based on tonnage, except for the British Navy.
Levies charged in 1730 amounted to as much as $2,200 each year, a significant reward for the time. And over the following years the annual fees increased so that they were about $23,000 in 1828. During this time ownership of Skerries Lighthouse changed a few times and significantly in 1841, Trinity House paid $990,000 for the freehold, a very large figure for the 19th century.
It is a major navigational challenge for yachtsmen to sail through the Langdon Ridge, between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey, even at the best of times. Many sailors decide not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night as the tidal currents are so strong and the rocks not far away. With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay you can progress quickly over the land passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby. This tidal asset has led to a strong interest in developing a tidal power lagoon using latest underwater turbine technology.
Sailing around Anglesey can be great fun. And you can enjoy marine wildlife - cormorants, puffins, dolphins and puffins -either from the sea or the coastal path. When you pass Skerries Lighthouse just try to imagine the struggles of William Trench all those years ago, and how now these Anglesey Lighthouses protect ships and yachts. Kayak enthusiasts sometimes kayak to Skerries from Church Bay, and they have to measure the wind and tide to avoid missing their destination in these tidal waters.
So over 250 years ago William Trench started the Skerries Lighthouse story and it has been a colourful one since. The rock witnessed the end of sail and advent of steam, and the lighthouse keepers would have admired famous ships like the Great Eastern and Royal Charter, as well as seen numerous wrecks. Yachts and kayaks sometimes visit the rock and this Anglesey Lighthouse, while a large tern colony exists on the rock.
About the Author:
The author, David Phillips, comes from lovely Anglesey, Wales, and runs a local information website. Learn more about the historic Skerries Lighthouse off the wild Anglesey Coastal Path.
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