Yachtsmen and women across the Irish Sea will probably have sailed past Skerries Lighthouse in Holyhead Bay, off North West Anglesey, Wales at some time or other in their sailing career. Whether they approach, from Dublin in the west, Port St Mary, Isle of Man to the north or nearby Pwllheli, Skerries rock and light soon comes into view. In fact the white flashing light of this modern automated 23 m high Trinity House lighthouse can be seen 22 miles away.
As well as hosting a navigational aid to ships and yachts, the rock also acts as a monitoring site for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who send bird watching teams to monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world. If we scroll back about 200 years, however, things were so different. An Irishman called William Trench in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner on Anglesey.
A big challenge lay ahead but undaunted William Trench set about building the very first lighthouse on Skerries rock, and in 1716 his efforts were rewarded when the lights on. For sure it was not as powerful as current lamps, but the 35 feet high tower had an open grate and a flame produced by burning coal. The enterprising Mr Trench exploited this valuable service by charging passing ships a fee based on tonnage, except for the British Navy.
William Trench was succeeding in getting annual income of as much as $2,200 from the lighthouse levies, a very high sum for the period. As the years went by these fees increased significantly, hitting $23,000 in 1828. Ownership of the lighthouse changed a few times over this time and in 1841, Trinity House Corporation secured the freehold for a huge sum of $990,000.
It is a major navigational challenge for yachtsmen to sail through the Langdon Ridge, between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey, even at the best of times. Many sailors decide not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night as the tidal currents are so strong and the rocks not far away. With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay you can progress quickly over the land passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby. This tidal asset has led to a strong interest in developing a tidal power lagoon using latest underwater turbine technology.
It's fantastic sailing around the Anglesey coast. Either from a boat or the coastal path you can appreciate rich and diverse marine wildlife - razorbills, porpoises, seals, and puffins. As you pass Skerries just imagine the efforts of young Trench, and the ships since saved by the reassuring presence of these Anglesey Lighthouses. A flotilla of kayaks can sometimes be seen leaving Church Bay on an expedition to Skerries lighthouse. They need to get the tide and wind right to avoid being carried way off course.
So over 250 years ago William Trench started the Skerries Lighthouse story and it has been a colourful one since. The rock witnessed the end of sail and advent of steam, and the lighthouse keepers would have admired famous ships like the Great Eastern and Royal Charter, as well as seen numerous wrecks. Yachts and kayaks sometimes visit the rock and this Anglesey Lighthouse, while a large tern colony exists on the rock.
As well as hosting a navigational aid to ships and yachts, the rock also acts as a monitoring site for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who send bird watching teams to monitor one of the largest tern colonies in the world. If we scroll back about 200 years, however, things were so different. An Irishman called William Trench in 1713 took out a 99 year lease on Skerries from William Robinson, a local landowner on Anglesey.
A big challenge lay ahead but undaunted William Trench set about building the very first lighthouse on Skerries rock, and in 1716 his efforts were rewarded when the lights on. For sure it was not as powerful as current lamps, but the 35 feet high tower had an open grate and a flame produced by burning coal. The enterprising Mr Trench exploited this valuable service by charging passing ships a fee based on tonnage, except for the British Navy.
William Trench was succeeding in getting annual income of as much as $2,200 from the lighthouse levies, a very high sum for the period. As the years went by these fees increased significantly, hitting $23,000 in 1828. Ownership of the lighthouse changed a few times over this time and in 1841, Trinity House Corporation secured the freehold for a huge sum of $990,000.
It is a major navigational challenge for yachtsmen to sail through the Langdon Ridge, between Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey, even at the best of times. Many sailors decide not to sail through Langdon Ridge at night as the tidal currents are so strong and the rocks not far away. With a full flood tide sweeping up behind you from Holyhead Bay you can progress quickly over the land passing Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Nuclear Power Station nearby. This tidal asset has led to a strong interest in developing a tidal power lagoon using latest underwater turbine technology.
It's fantastic sailing around the Anglesey coast. Either from a boat or the coastal path you can appreciate rich and diverse marine wildlife - razorbills, porpoises, seals, and puffins. As you pass Skerries just imagine the efforts of young Trench, and the ships since saved by the reassuring presence of these Anglesey Lighthouses. A flotilla of kayaks can sometimes be seen leaving Church Bay on an expedition to Skerries lighthouse. They need to get the tide and wind right to avoid being carried way off course.
So over 250 years ago William Trench started the Skerries Lighthouse story and it has been a colourful one since. The rock witnessed the end of sail and advent of steam, and the lighthouse keepers would have admired famous ships like the Great Eastern and Royal Charter, as well as seen numerous wrecks. Yachts and kayaks sometimes visit the rock and this Anglesey Lighthouse, while a large tern colony exists on the rock.
About the Author:
The writer, David Phillips, comes from sunny Anglesey island, North Wales, and edits a local information website. Discover more about the amazing Lighthouse on Skerries off the wild North West Anglesey Coast.
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