Eddystone lighthouseIn 1703, during the "Great Storm" more than 8,000 people perished and the first Eddystone lighthouse was totally destroyed; among the dead was its designer, Henry Winstanley. He was a a London merchant, who had lost two of his ships on the Eddystone Reef, 14 miles south of Plymouth, England, site of many other shipwrecks. In 1696, work began on a rather strange wooden structure. Although unlike today's lighthouses, it was a major achievement for its day. It was first lit on 14 Nov 1698. After additional modification and strengthening, Winstanley was so confident that he said he wished to be present during "the greatest storm there ever was.". His wish came true, for Winstanley was killed sleeping inside it, during the 1703 storm.[Image: from 1989 British stamp] |
