HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2022
[From Atholl Papers - AP 138-4]
I am induced to submit to the consideration of the public, the following remarks on a subject of considerable importance. Should those to whom it particularly belongs, exert their influence to have the measure here proposed carried into execution, or any other preferable to accomplish the object; they would, under Providence, prevent many heavy calamities, such as have been of late years frequent in the loss of rich property and many valuable lives.
In the year 1771, consultations were held by a number of Gentlemen, Officers of the Crown and Merchants, to have a Light House erected in this Island, in a situation the most advantageous to give further security to navigation of these Channels. The general utility of such Light House was universally acknowledged, and sanquine expectations were conceived of a proper plan being speedily adopted and executed. An Officer high in the Revenue Service proceeded so far as to purchase a parcel of ground in the Peninsula Langness s by E. Coast of the Island, with the view of erecting the Building on that Head, as what had prov'd the most fatal to Mariners. But it was judg'd by others that the Calf of Mann was the more eligable situation; that it commands the extensive view of the Mountains from Cumberland to Wales from E. to S. and of Ireland, to the Mull of Galloway and Borohead in Scotland from W. to N. as far as the eye can reach in those directions, and that consequently a Light raised there would be beneficial to Navigation on the West of Ireland, when one on Langness could only render service to those navigating the East Channel; and that being in a much higher situation, and nearer the ordinary track of the Liverpool ships by some leagues, it would render more essential service to them, than one at the low and more distant point of Langness.
By this opposition of sentiment the project that promised so great benefit to society, was at that time defeated, and has not been since effectually resumed. Since that period not a year has pass'd without shipwrecks on the Coast, from the Calf to Langness, a distnce of not more than three Leagues; which have been chiefly imputed to the want of a Light on one or the other of those Heads. To name those of one year from Novr 1794 to Novr 1795 there were to the number of nine. Of these were the Rawlinson of Lancaster - the ship a total wreck, most of the Cargo lost, what was sav'd greatly damaged; an Irish Sloop laden with linen and provisions. the vessel a wreck. the goods lost or damaged; the William & Fanny of Liverpool, the ship a wreck, goods lost or damaged; and the Bee of Whitehaven, the ship, lives of the Crew and of two Gentlemen Passengers all lost.
But the wrecks on that Coast are not the only calamities occasioned by the want of such Light, and probably not the greater part. The danger in dark and tempestuous weather, of approaching near a Coast so threatening, must have often induced skilful mariners to steer so wide of it, or to lay to when they might have made good their course & Distance to the intended Port, as to occasion their distress on other shores. Were they in critical situations, favoured with a good light, say from the Calf, to determine nearly its Bearing and Distance, they could then judge with some degree of certainty, their station, tide of Current they are in, when to lay to or hold on, and what course to steer the best for safety. - I have visited the Calf of Mann, and with deference to those who may differ in opinion, cannot imagine a more favorable situation for a Light House on any shore in the Channel. It is an Island three miles in circumference, seperated from the S.W. point of the Isle of Mann by a narrow channel nam'd the Sound, navigable but extremely hazardous. Its highest elevation is about 150 yards, a bold iron shore. The Calf and Holy Head are situated to one another N. by E. and S. by W. nearly, by compass, distant 13 Leagues. In the middle course of the Channel both lights would be perceived in clear weather; and in dark weather, one or other of them, in any proper course; a circumstance highly favorable in that navigation. In the N.W. Channel there is not a light from the Copland off Belfast to that of the Skerries, Holyhead, a distance not less than 28 Leagues. What then can be more desireable in that navigation than a Light on so distinguished a Head as the Calf, which would be observed from a Vessel soon after passing ther Mull of Galloway; and with the assistance of the Skerries Light, correct to some degree of certainty the mariners course, so subject to error by cross and strong currents.
In sailing along the Island, East side, a Light on the Calf would be nearly as serviceable as one on Langness, as these Heads are well known by the mariner to lay E. by S. and W. by N. nearly by Compass. Therefore having the Bearing of the Calf by its Light. he can give that dangerous point of Langness its proper berth. - A danger may be apprehended from a Light on the Calf: that on some occasions it might be mistaken for the Skerries Light, and the Pilot be thereby induced to shape the Course so as to be embayed within the point of Langness. This could not happen but from singular inattention. But the danger would be perfectly guarded against by a double Light on the Calf, for which the ground is favourable for about 200 yds E. & W.. This, which could be supported at no considerable expence greater than one Light, would clearly distinguish from that of the Skerries; and by being placed in a line directly clear of Langness to a mile would give every advantage to the Navigators on the N.E. of the Island they could desire.
It is unneccessary to mention the great advantages that would be derived from a Light on ther Calf, during the Fishing season, when some hundred Boats follow the fish, from July to the end of September from the N.W. of the Island, round the Calf to the N.E.; with a great number of Vessels from the different ports of the Channel to purchase. These will to occur to everyone interested in the Fishery or acquainted with the manner in which it is conducted. - It is truely suprizing that a matter so very important as this of establishing a Light House in the Island should have been so long neglected by those who are deeply interested; as the Merchants and Owners of Vessels of Liverpool, Lancaster, Whitehaven and the northern Ports, and of the Island. The Island is in length 30 miles, from S.S.W to N.N.E. situate in the middle of the Channel; and by one or other Head Land, not more distant than 12 Leagues from England, Wales, Ireland or Scotland. A moments consideration is sufficient to bring conviction of the importance of securing a safe navigation all around it, as far as possible to be done.
I would therefore, with great deference propose to those Gentlemen who are interested, and inclined to promote the commercial interests of their Country, and prevent distress; to meet in Committee, to resolve the expediciency of having a Light House erected on the Island, the most proper situation, the most suitable form of Building and kind of Light or Lights; the mode of raising a fund for the Building and the current annual expences; and to correspond from their different ports. I humbly think they could not disagree. And the necessary charges, if weigh'd against the advantages, would be in the ballance the small grain. It would be highly proper to communicate an approved plan to his Grace Duke of Atholl, Lord of the Island; whose ready concurrence and influence to carry into execution, whatever may be agreed on for the good of the Island, and the Interests of the Community at large, cannot be doubted.
It is possible that the author was Patrick Coloquhoun, 1745-1820, one time Lord Provost of Glasgow and credited with founding the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. The D.N.B. gives several examples of his pamphlets covering many subjects though he is best known for his work on policing in London to where he had moved in 1789, how he became interested in Manx Lights is still to be explained. The writer is obviously acquainted with some of the discussion that occured in 1771 but, though having visited the Calf, does not mention the Chickens, a rock submerged at high tide close to the shipping channel which suggested the arrangement of the pair of light houses erected in 1817 - although he suggested a pair of lights, this would appear to be solely to distinguish any Calf Light from that of the Skerries.
The Officer "high in the Revenue Service" was Charles Lutwidge who had been appointed Receiver General of the Island following the Revestment in 1765 and which post he held to his death in 1784. He had purchased Langness beg from Angus Munn in 1768 for £1000(Manks) or £857 sterling, land which Munn had bought for £735(Manks) only two years prior. Following Lutwidge's death, when he was found to owe the Treasury some £5,000 it was sold for £630(British) to John Taubman.
There was a meeting of some parties interested in building a Lighthouse as John Quayle writes to the 2nd Duke on the 30th December 1771 that Lutwidge proposed to build as a private venture a Lighthouse on the ground he had purchased, but that "it is felt by many, however, that the Calf would be a better site and that it should not be under private ownership" - the Duke replied on 22nd January 1772 that he would be happy to agree to the erection of a light on the Calf and will refer the question of rent to the Commissioner [?of Northern lights]. Nothing further is heard until 1813 when a Capt J Cotton writes to the Duke about a proposed lighthouse on the Calf quoting the tolls Trinity House would expect to be able to place on shipping but by 1815 provision of the Lights had been transferred to the Scottish Commissioners of Northern Lights as it was likely that the vessels using the northern channel to Glasgow ports would gain the main benefit from these lights.
Atholl Papers AP 33(B)(3rd)-9, AP 34(B)-13;
Deeds SSS Oct 1766 187, SSS Oct 1769 #41 and Enrolled Deeds Malew Oct
1787 #5
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
| Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The
Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2022 |
||