Souter Lighthouse history
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Description
Built in 1871 to ward ships from the dangerous rocks at Whitburn Steel, Souter was the first lighthouse in the world purpose built to use electricity. Souter was a technological marvel in its day, but it was the development of new technology like GPS and satellite navigation which led to its decommission in 1988 after 117 years of service to shipping in the North East. Tab 2 The colliery Industrial heritage © National Trust Industrial heritage © National Trust The best coal in the North East is found in seams extending out under the North Sea. Whitburn Coal Company sunk two shafts south of the lighthouse between 1874 - 1877 and the first coal was brought out in 1881. By 1898 it was producing 2,600 tons of coal per day. Mining at Souter was never easy though and the colliery finally closed in 1968. The reclaimed land is now Whitburn Coastal Park. Tab 3 The lost village A cliff top home with stunning sea views © National Trust A cliff top home with stunning sea views © National Trust -
Owner
National Trust -
Source
Local (Co-Curate) -
License
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Further information
Link: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas/history/
Resource type: Text/Website
Added by: Leo Allan
Last modified: 9 years, 11 months ago
Viewed: 920 times
Picture Taken: Unknown -
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