The Eddystone Reef - Winstanley’s Lighthouse Plymouth Devon

[Ray]

MD Eddystone Reef

Standing fourteen miles out to sea from Plymouth, stands the Eddystone Reef. For years the reef was a major hazard to ships, which led to attempts to mark the reef with a lighthouse.

The first lighthouse, made of wood, was destroyed by fire. Winstanley’s lighthouse was swept away in the great storm of 1703. A successful attempt, was a lighthouse designed by John Smeaton. This now stands on Plymouth Hoe, after being replaces by the current structure.

On a clear day, the Eddystone Lighthouse can be seen from Plymouth Hoe. A visit to Smeaton’s Tower on the Hoe, gives an insight into how living in a lighthouse, must have been like.

Winstanley’s Lighthouse


T’was 1703, and the wind did blow
Never like this, did anyone know
Walls of waves, continuous swell
Crashed on rocks, in thunderous hell

In the darkness, a light shines clear
The house on the reef, so far, so near
Eddystone Rock, awash with sea
Will it survive, will it be

Ships of sail, brave the night
Lookouts peer, to see the light
Howling wind, lashings of rain
Ships are tossed, again and again

Gaining strength, the storm rages in
Past windows of glass, and walls s o thin
A figure of a man, stands alone at the door
Gooodbye Winstanley, your light is no more.


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