Whitford Point Lighthouse
Also known as Whiteford or Whiteford Point Lighthouse
Located in the Burry Inlet, Gower, South Wales
This is the only remaining wave-washed large cast iron lighthouse in the British Isles.
An unusual feature is the adoption of bolted flanges on the outside face, rather than inside. Another unusual aspect is that the tower is lined with bricks on the inside. Perhaps the two are not unconnected.
Built in 1865-66 to the design of John Bowen (1825-1873), and probably constructed by Hennet and Co of Bridgwater[1].
However, the Bridgwater connection is not confirmed. The Bridgwater Iron Works at that time was under the name of Hennet, Spink and Else. They certainly had experience of building cast iron lighthouses and other structures which required large flanged components to be cast and then planed. Also, Bridgwater is conveniently located for shipping components to the lighthouse site. A source[2] , which provides an excellent account of the lighthouse and its history, identifies the contractor as 'Hennett & Co', but the author also states that "Hennett & Co's. promise "to supply and fix" the lighthouse suggests they were constructors not ironfounders, and would need to subcontract some of the work. Mr Jones for the masonry is named in the Harbour Master's report, but I have been unable to discover the foundry that cast the plates. The Wern Foundry owned by Richard Nevill was the most likely." However, this would beg the question of who were Hennett & Co, if not Hennet, Spink & Else? They were frequently referred to as Hennett & Co in press reports, and furthermore, no other contemporary company of that name has been identified, let alone one able to 'supply and fix' large cast iron structures. Further, we will see below that Richard Nevil's tender, and that of Waddle, were rejected in favour of Hennett's.
1865 'LLANELLY HARBOUR TRUST. The monthly meeting of the trust was held at the Harbour Office .... Several tenders had been received for the construction of the Whitford lighthouse : from Messrs Hennet and Co. for £1,600, John R. Waddle and Co. for 2,271, and Richard Nevil for £1,700, ; and the committee recommended that Messrs. Bennett and Co's tender of £1,600 be accepted, proper arrangements being made as to the mode of payment and time of completion of the work under a proper contract with sureties. By a letter read from Hennett and Co. of the 19th June, they undertook to supply and to fix the lighthouse at Whitford Sker, in accordance with the plans, for the sum specified, and they undertook also to take bonds to be signed every fortnight for the whole week, and they would complete the same by the 20th of September, or in three months from the time the work is commenced.
Mr B. B. Jones moved, and it was seconded by Mr Evans, and resolved that the negotiation with Messrs. Hennett and Co. be referred back to the pilot committees, with power to accept their tender, and to enter into a contract for the completion of the work, and that in the event of the negotiation failing with Messrs. Hennett and Co., that the committee have power to accept another tender, and to enter into the contract for the speediest completion of the lighthouse. Colonel Stepney thought the werk should be completed before the equinoctial gales of the 25th of October. The Clerk said a committee would be called on Monday to consider the subject.'[3]
See here for more information.
The above photographs were taken at low tide. Approaching the lighthouse involves a 3 mile walk along the beach or via a path through sand dunes, and requires close attention to the tide table!