Anglesey Lighthouses, a Coastal History of Anglesey
Most yachtsmen sailing the Irish Sea will be familiar with Anglesey lighthouses.
When they approach Anglesey from the north or from Dublin bay in the west it's not long before they spot Skerries lighthouse.
Today this Trinity House lighthouse on Skerries Rock is fully automated and at 23 metres in height, its white flashing light can be seen up to 22 miles away.
The rock even receives regular visits from an RSPB bird watching team, who monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world.
But almost 200 years ago, it was an Irishman called William Trench, who in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner.
Trench's perseverance paid off and in 1716 saw the first Skerries Lighthouse in operation.
Admittedly it was only a 35 foot high tower with an open grate, and a flame provided by burning coal.
But William Trench the businessman charged a levy per tonne on all passing ships except the British Navy, and in 1730 they totalled about £1,100 ($2,200) every year (assuming £1=$2).
Over the following years the fees increased until by 1828 the light fees were a staggering £11,800.
Ownership changed hands over this period and eventually the Trinity House Corporation purchased the freehold of Skerries Lighthouse for £445,000 ($990,000) in 1841.
Sailing through the Langdon Ridge, the channel between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey is a major navigational challenge at the best of times.
Many yachtsmen will choose not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night because of the strong tidal currents and proximity of the rocks.
If you sail at the wrong time, because you misread the tide tables, for example, you will make virtually no headway as the tidal current is so powerful.
With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay to the west, it's possible to make considerable progress "over the land" passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby.
Sailing around this island coastline is great.
You can enjoy the wide variety of wildlife - dolphins, seals, razorbills and guillemots - and wonder at the history behind the reassuring presence of the Anglesey Lighthouses.
Sailors heading for St Mary's on the Isle of Man can leave Holyhead with a plan to approach Skerries Lighthouse at low water, giving them the best part of six hours flood tide to get to their northward destination.
So from the time of William Trench almost 200 years ago, Skerries is a fine example of service to the maritime community and deserves its place in the hall of fame of Anglesey Lighthouses.
When they approach Anglesey from the north or from Dublin bay in the west it's not long before they spot Skerries lighthouse.
Today this Trinity House lighthouse on Skerries Rock is fully automated and at 23 metres in height, its white flashing light can be seen up to 22 miles away.
The rock even receives regular visits from an RSPB bird watching team, who monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world.
But almost 200 years ago, it was an Irishman called William Trench, who in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner.
Trench's perseverance paid off and in 1716 saw the first Skerries Lighthouse in operation.
Admittedly it was only a 35 foot high tower with an open grate, and a flame provided by burning coal.
But William Trench the businessman charged a levy per tonne on all passing ships except the British Navy, and in 1730 they totalled about £1,100 ($2,200) every year (assuming £1=$2).
Over the following years the fees increased until by 1828 the light fees were a staggering £11,800.
Ownership changed hands over this period and eventually the Trinity House Corporation purchased the freehold of Skerries Lighthouse for £445,000 ($990,000) in 1841.
Sailing through the Langdon Ridge, the channel between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey is a major navigational challenge at the best of times.
Many yachtsmen will choose not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night because of the strong tidal currents and proximity of the rocks.
If you sail at the wrong time, because you misread the tide tables, for example, you will make virtually no headway as the tidal current is so powerful.
With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay to the west, it's possible to make considerable progress "over the land" passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby.
Sailing around this island coastline is great.
You can enjoy the wide variety of wildlife - dolphins, seals, razorbills and guillemots - and wonder at the history behind the reassuring presence of the Anglesey Lighthouses.
Sailors heading for St Mary's on the Isle of Man can leave Holyhead with a plan to approach Skerries Lighthouse at low water, giving them the best part of six hours flood tide to get to their northward destination.
So from the time of William Trench almost 200 years ago, Skerries is a fine example of service to the maritime community and deserves its place in the hall of fame of Anglesey Lighthouses.
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