On a Wing and a Prayer by danob

Photography • Scenic • posted on Jan 21, 2008

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Description

As you may have seen in my other images of the Lizard the seas off this part of Corwall are very dangerous.. In my research into the Trinity House Archives, the lighthouse was the brainchild of Sir John Killigrew, a philanthropic Cornishman, who applied for a patent. Apparently, because it was thought that a light on Lizard Point would guide enemy vessels and pirates to a safe landing, the patent was granted with the proviso that the light should be extinguished at the approach of the enemy. Killigrew agreed to erect the lighthouse at his own expense, for a rent of "twenty nobles by the year", for a term of thirty years. Although he was willing to build the tower, he was too poor to bear the cost of maintenance, and intended to fund the project by collecting from ships that passed the point any voluntary contributions that the owners might offer him!!! . In spite of the difficulty of recruiting local labour, the tower was finished by Christmas 1619, and proved a great benefit to mariners. However,unsurprisingly the shipowners offered nothing for its upkeep, and the mounting costs of maintenance were bankrupting Killigrew. Thus, in the face of more opposition from Trinity House, James I set a fee of one halfpenny a ton on all vessels passing the light. This caused such an uproar from the shipowners that the patent was withdrawn, the light extinguished and the tower demolished. Nothing new in politics it seems even after 400 years! It was eventually rebuilt and remained much as you see it today, though it may not look very large, the light does reach out for 26 nautical miles

Comments (33)

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carlx

3:43PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Wonderful scenery and superb presentation of the nature power!!!

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iaacf

3:44PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

You're right.. from this point the lighthouse seems to be nothing special. but 26 seamiles is really something. Great picture and history.

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JaneEden

3:55PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Wow yes the info is amazing and also your photography of this scene - hugs Jane xx

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rainbows

4:07PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

A wonderfully wild scene and intersesting history, Danny. We know how much these lights are needed around our coastline. Superb work my friend. Hugs. DiDi. xx

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bpclarke

4:26PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Beautiful and peaceful. Excellent shot. Bunny

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Fred255

4:55PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

A very wild but beautiful coast line!

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witch_1612

5:21PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Wonderful Scenery !!!

MedTran39

5:26PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Awesome!

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LudyMelltSekher

5:33PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Hello my dear friend, Absolutely fantastic! Wonderful Photography Congratulations! A million stars from me!*****Have a wonderful Monday. Hug and kiss in Your heart.Luminous blesing. Ludy Sorry to have that to write the same thing in English to all, but are few the words that I have in English to say I´speak Spanish.

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CavalierLady

5:46PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Beautiful image and interesting history, Danny. Fishermen and seafaring traders there must surely be brave and hardy souls to brave seas like this.

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StandsInAwe

6:38PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

I always enjoy reading the info you include with your posts. And obviously I'm always impressed with your images.

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bkhook

6:44PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Beautiful capture and wonderful history.

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tofi

6:48PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

A tremendous capture with a very intriguing and awesome bit of history about it. A very natural photograph depicting such a wonderful nature scene. Beautiful work!

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Ionel

7:06PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Excellent view and great mood, Danny! Very interesting story, too!!!

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lizzibell

7:44PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

beautiful view...

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toddaking

10:10PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Excellent picture. Cool story. Todd

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romanceworks

10:34PM | Mon, 21 January 2008

Looks like a very treacherous point. I'm sure the light has saved many lives, but of course, all want the benefits and no one wants to pay. Interesting info and great pic. CC

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