HISTORY OF LIGHT HOUSES. 



The most celebrated light-house of ancient times was that erected 

 about 283, B. C., in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus, on the island of 

 Pharos, opposite to Alexandria. It is from this building, or rather from 

 the island on which it stood, that light-houses have in many countries 

 received their generic name of Pharos; the most celebrated of modern 

 times are those already described. The erection of light-houses in this 

 country has not proceeded upon any systematic plan, but in every 

 instance they have been constructed simply because of the disastrous 

 losses that have occurred for want of them. From this cause it arises 

 that our light-house establishments in the several parts of the United 

 Kingdom are conducted under an entirely different system, different as 

 regards the constitution of the management, the rates or amounts of the 

 light dues, and the principle on which they are levied. In England 

 there are now 44 light-houses, and 13 floating lights, which are considered 

 as general lights, besides 46 light-houses and 4 floating lights, which are 

 local or harbour lights, making in all 107 lights. Of the general lights, 

 30 light-houses, and the whole of the floating lights (13 in number), are 

 under the management of the Trinity House, three are in private hands 

 under leases granted by the same board, seven are in private hands under 

 leases granted by the crown, and the remaining four are heldbypatents or 

 by acts of Parliament. In Scotland there are 25 light-houses under the 

 management of the Board of Commissioners for northern lights, besides 

 18 local or harbour lights. In Ireland there are 24 light-houses and three 

 floating lights, which are all general lights, 76 light-houses and four floating 

 lights, which are harbour lights, being in the whole 168 light-houses and 

 20 floating lights, constantly maintained on the coasts, and at the 

 entrances of the harbours of these kingdoms. A principal object in the 

 establishment of these buildings is, to give intimation to vessels 

 approaching the coast during the night, as to the place in which they are. 

 It is therefore of importance, that the lights exhibited on the same line of 

 coast should have some essential difference, so as to be readily dis- 

 tinguished ,by the mariners. The different appearances thus required 

 are given by having two lights placed either vertically or horizontally 

 with respe'ct to each other, or three lights , as at the Casket rocks, or by 

 causing the lights to revolve or to appear only at certain intervals, and to 

 remain in sight for a given number of seconds at each appearance, or by 



