Amlwch lighthouse
Encyclopedia
The Amlwch lighthouse is a lighthouse
tower situated on the outer pier of Amlwch
, at the northeast tip of Anglesey
, Wales
. The existing lighthouse, a square tower erected in 1853, is the fourth on on this site. It has original fine, but battered, ashlar
masonry
to a height of 4.6 metres (15.1 ft); the present lantern
was added on top at a later date.
of 1743, when the harbour was improved. Two octagonal houses, with small lanterns protruding from the roof, were added. They were described in the New Seaman’s Guide as "small white houses displaying lights at night".
In 1816 an outer pier, about 46 metres (150.9 ft) long, was built to give shipping extra protection inside the harbour. In 1817, a small lighthouse with a light 8.5 metres (27.9 ft) above high water mark was built, subsequently replaced with the present lighthouse.
The drydock and lighthouse on the small creek at Amlwch once served the shipping of one of the largest copper
mines
in Europe, located at Parys Mountain
. The significance of the early copper-exporting port at Amlwch makes the lighthouse part of a heritage site of international importance.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
tower situated on the outer pier of Amlwch
Amlwch
Amlwch is the most northerly town in Wales. It is situated on the north coast of the Isle of Anglesey, on the A5025 which connects it to Holyhead and to Menai Bridge. The town has no beach, but it has impressive coastal cliffs. Tourism is an important element of the local economy. At one time it...
, at the northeast tip of Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The existing lighthouse, a square tower erected in 1853, is the fourth on on this site. It has original fine, but battered, ashlar
Ashlar
Ashlar is prepared stone work of any type of stone. Masonry using such stones laid in parallel courses is known as ashlar masonry, whereas masonry using irregularly shaped stones is known as rubble masonry. Ashlar blocks are rectangular cuboid blocks that are masonry sculpted to have square edges...
masonry
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
to a height of 4.6 metres (15.1 ft); the present lantern
Lantern
A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to illuminate broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as 'torches', or as general light sources outdoors . Low light level varieties are used for decoration. The term "lantern" is also used more generically to...
was added on top at a later date.
History
Two short piers at Amlwch were built following a private Act of ParliamentAct of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of 1743, when the harbour was improved. Two octagonal houses, with small lanterns protruding from the roof, were added. They were described in the New Seaman’s Guide as "small white houses displaying lights at night".
In 1816 an outer pier, about 46 metres (150.9 ft) long, was built to give shipping extra protection inside the harbour. In 1817, a small lighthouse with a light 8.5 metres (27.9 ft) above high water mark was built, subsequently replaced with the present lighthouse.
The drydock and lighthouse on the small creek at Amlwch once served the shipping of one of the largest copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
mines
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
in Europe, located at Parys Mountain
Parys Mountain
Parys Mountain – in the Welsh language Mynydd Parys – is located south of the town of Amlwch in north east Anglesey, Wales. It is the site of a large copper mine that was extensively exploited in the late 18th century.-History:...
. The significance of the early copper-exporting port at Amlwch makes the lighthouse part of a heritage site of international importance.