East Usk Lighthouse

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Chance Brothers Lighthouse Chance Brothers Lighthouse
  • Date of lens manufacture

    1892

  • Date of lighthouse construction

    1893

  • Country

    United Kingdom. Wales

  • Commissioning body

    Trinity House

  • Order of lens
    ---
  • Fixed or revolving lens

    Fixed

  • Active/Inactive

    Active

  • Describe the character of light

    two flashes every 10 s, white, red, or green depending on direction.

  • Describe the lighthouses daymarks

    Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white.

  • Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
    ---
  • Describe the history of the lighthouse

    The East Usk Lighthouse was constructed in 1893 by Trinity House and entered service on or about 22nd June that year. The lighthouse is one of two marking the entrance to the River Usk (West Usk Lighthouse has not been decommissioned and is now a B&B).

    Originally lit by 12 gas cylinders which would last a year, it was converted to electricity in 1972 and is still in operation today. It was the first Trinity House lighthouse in the UK to use the Dalén Sun Valve, an ingenious device for turning an unwatched light on and off using daylight. Combined with the flashing apparatus, the sun valve saved 94% of the gas compared to having the light operating all the time.

    Originally much taller than it now appears, the legs of the lighthouse were gradually buried under fly ash from the Uskmouth Power Station.

    The lighthouse displays a Port Entry Light consisting of occulting Red, White and Green light sectors that guide shipping into the entrance of Newport dredged channel. It is a vital navigational aid for ship approaching Newport and for over 100 years has played a vital role in marine safety and the economic prosperity of Newport Docks.

    The lighthouse is now owned and managed by Newport Harbour Commissioners a Board established by an Act of Parliament, responsible for safe navigation, dredging and pilotage within the Newport Harbour and River Usk up to Newbridge-on-Usk.

  • Current management body/ ports authority

    Newport Harbour Commissioners.

  • Historical preservation societies/manager/operator

    Newport Harbour Commissioners

  • Is the site vulnerable to coastal erosion?
    yes
  • Have you experienced any affects of climate change on the lighthouse?

    The lighthouse is located within the Newport Wetlands Reserve, which is best known for its fantastic range of wetland birds, included bearded tits, little egrets and avocets. During the spring and summer, the reserve teems with butterflies, dragonflies and bees, including one of the UK's rarest, the shrill carder bee.

  • Observations on the condition of the lighthouse?

    Originally much taller than it now appears, the legs of the lighthouse were gradually buried under fly ash from the Uskmouth Power Station. Otherwise good.

  • Is the site open/closed to the public

    Open

  • Is the tower open/closed to the public

    Closed

  • Latitude and Longitude

    51.5399969, -2.9669806

  • On-site bookable accommodation available
    no
  • Associated web addresses
  • Other details

    ARLHS WAL-005; Admiralty A5454; NGA 5904.

  • Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
    ---

In the 1800s, Chance Brothers & Co glassworks in Smethwick began making the hi-tech lenses that lighthouses use to warn ships of dangerous locations. By 1951, over 2,500 lighthouses around the world were fitted with a Chance lens.

Where?


[16, 6, 1, 6]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[10, 6]
[10, 10]
[10, 20]
[10, 30]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]