Suffolk Lighthouse To Be Demolished?
By Sue Clark on Sep 7, 2007 in Opinion, Threatened 
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A lighthouse that has survived machine gun fire, air strafings, raids by French privateers (they damaged the lantern and stole the keepers’ beds!) and storms is now threatened by the same erosion that many lighthouses are now facing. Orfordness Lighthouse, where a light has stood since 1634, is now only 50 yards from the beach. Accelerated erosion and coastal changes over the past decade have brought it to a near critical mass, and may necessitate it being demolished, according to a story from the Evening Star.
Trinity House, which manages British lighthouses, is using stones to monitor the situation by placing them along the shore to monitor erosion. A spokeswoman for the agency stated, ”We are currently monitoring the situation, but as part of a plan currently being developed for the lighthouse, we will complete a survey of the offshore to see what is happening to a reported shingle bank off the beach. Possible options include early demolition of the building and the siting of a new metal trestle lighthouse further away from the shore.”
Huh? Trinity House is going to demolish this absolutely beautiful beacon? Here in the US, we are planning to move Sankaty Lighthouse, and our British counterparts are planning to tear down, rather than shore up the beach or otherwise protect the lighthouse? Is there no sense of history? Of preservation?
And they are using stones on a beach to monitor erosion? That would probably be the most inaccurate way of measurement they could have come up with. If the beach is being battered by waves, the stones that have been placed as a guideline surely will be tossed around. Or pulled back into the North Sea. What kind of technology is that?
Lighthouse News is having a hard time believing this story and hopes the report was inaccurate. It boggles the mind if true.
This current 99 foot tall lighthouse, built in 1792, was purchased from the third Lord Baybrooke in 1836 for $27,110. Trinity House was created by an act of parliament and charged with purchasing all the lighthouses in the UK that were privately owned (most of them were). More about Trinity House can be found at their site, www.trinityhouse.co.uk and also more information about Orfordness Light, including the previous lighthouses, its trials during various wars and the ships that have sank before a light was built.
What do you think about Trinity House’s possible plans to deal with the erosion? Or even of their way of “watching” the situation? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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September 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Erosion measure by stones? For spoofing sanity, why don’t they tie a knotted rope around the old girl (British speak for Lighthouse) and throw the rope into the sea to see how many fathoms of sea water washes the beach away???
Their erosion methods sound like dry British humor or maybe they are living in 1300 just before the English standardized measuring by their feet? Apparently, the Brits do not share the same values about Lighthouses. Or maybe, Trinity House is attempting to raise public support?
Debbie
New England Lighthouse Blog
December 19th, 2007 at 2:23 am
My late father was the attendant of Orford Ness lighthouse for over 28 years and was awarded the M.B.E. for his services to Trinity House. It would be such a tragedy if the Lighthouse were to be demolished.
My father did write a book on the history of the lighthouses at Orford Ness called “The Great Light”. It is only available in the local area but I did see a copy advertised online recently.
His second book which he did not get published in print before his death in 1997 I have published online at www.orfordpiece.com. It provides an interesting insight into his life and times in Orford.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Hi Adrian,
Do you have any updates on this situation? Has Trinity House changed their mind about demolishing this beautiful beacon? What a shame it would be if that happened. Keep us posted on this.