83


1864 Lighthouse (demolished in 1988)


distinctive modern look to it and is a Grade 2 listed building. The original plan suggested that the stone for the Beacon could easily be quarried locally; as it is built of slate rubble, it is likely that this is what happened. The total cost was £523 (£75,000 in today’s money), five times the cost of the new lighthouse, built in the same year also to an octagonal design, probably also by Brereton, and sited on the Kingswear side, above Silver Cove. At 80 ft it is the second tallest mark in the UK; it was also the last Daymark built in the UK, as


works to upgrade Dartmouth’s harbour.


The proposed


Circa 1880. Working coal hulks moored on the Kingswear side of the Dart. The bosses are those in bowler hats. The youngest lad was later manager of the Channel Coaling Co. Photo given by Mr H Pyne Feb 1950


The Daymark from the sea


improvements in navigation capabilities and better maps made them largely redundant. All the works to upgrade Dartmouth’s harbour were


completed by December 1864, and the town’s expectations were high. But the moment had passed, and the prestigious packet services that Dartmouth was hoping for did not materialise: Southampton and Plymouth had prevailed. However, the investment in the port facilities did enable Dartmouth to service the larger steamships needing to top up their coal bunkers before they left for the Atlantic and for the next 50 years, Dartmouth became a bunkering port and in 1875 was the 10th most important coal port in the UK. In February 1868, gales blew the Daymark’s wooden roof off and plans were made to replace it with a brick dome. However, the construction cost of £14 could not be justified, and it was left as it is today – open to the winds.


It still


remains a useful navigational aid from Torbay and Start Bay, being visible once Start Point is rounded in all but poor visibility, but in reality, it was never going to be enough to transform Dartmouth’s fortunes as a port.


© Text Jonathan Turner The Dartmouth History Research Group researches the history of Dartmouth and surrounding villages. If you’re interested, please contact dhrg.enquiries@ dartmouth-history.org.uk.


image courtesy of unsplash.com


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