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6th April, 1886. 



The President, Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I.A., in the Chair. 



Mr. Lloyd Patterson, J.P., F.L.S., read a Paper on 

 A RECENT VISIT TO TORY ISLAND. 



Some merchants and shipowners of Derry, prominent among 

 whom was Mr. James M'Neil, of that city, conceived the idea 

 that it would be a very important matter, not only for the 

 shipping interest, but also for the country at large, that a 

 telegraph and signal station, connected by sub-marine cable 

 with the telegraph system of the United Kingdom, should be 

 established at Tory Island to report passing vessels, being able 

 to communicate with the mainland in case of any shipping 

 disaster or peril, and for such and kindred purposes generally. 

 A meteorological station was also spoken of. Now, as to the 

 value of the signal station there can hardly be two opinions. 

 Situated, as the island is, off the north-west coast of Donegal, 

 it lies in the track of all vessels going north about from any 

 port in the United Kingdom to any port in America. It is the 

 last land they see on their outward voyages, and often the first 

 land they make on their homeward runs. A number of wrecks 

 formerly took place on the island, but these have greatly 

 diminished since the erection there, in 1832, of what was then 

 considered a very fine lighthouse. This lighthouse, one of the 

 usual tower shape, and of enormous strength, is pretty lofty ; 

 its lantern, a powerful one, stands 122 feet above the high- water 

 level of the sea, and is visible at a distance of seventeen or 



