Souter Lighthouse
Souter Lighthouse viewed from the south-west. | |
| Location | Whitburn, Tyne and Wear |
|---|---|
| OS grid | NZ4080764169 |
| Coordinates | 54°58′14″N 1°21′51″W / 54.9705°N 1.36409°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1871 |
| Construction | brick (tower) |
| Height | 23 m (75 ft) |
| Shape | cylinder |
| Markings | white (tower), red (stripe), red (lantern) |
| Operator | Trinity House (–1988), National Trust (1990–) |
| Heritage | Grade II* listed building |
| Fog signal | One blast every 30s |
| Light | |
| First lit | 11 January 1871 |
| Deactivated | 1988 |
| Lens | third order Fresnel lens (1871–1914), first order Fresnel lens (1914–) |
| Range | 26 nmi (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl R 5s |
Souter Lighthouse is a lighthouse located to the North of Whitburn, South Tyneside, England. (It was generally known as Souter Point Lighthouse when in service). Souter Point was the first lighthouse in the world to be actually designed and built specifically to use alternating electric current, the most advanced lighthouse technology of its day. The light was generated by a carbon arc lamp: first lit on 11 January 1871, it was described at the time as 'without doubt one of the most powerful lights in the world'.
After being decommissioned by Trinity House (the national lighthouse authority) in 1988, Souter Lighthouse was acquired by the National Trust, who now manage it as a visitor attraction with holiday lets.