Berry Head Lighthouse

Berry Head Lighthouse is an active lighthouse, located at the end of Berry Head near Brixham in Devon. It was originally built in 1906, and was then automated and converted to run on acetylene in 1921, and further modernised in 1994 (since when it has run on mains electricity); in 2019 it was converted to LED operation.[3] Berry Head is reputedly the shortest lighthouse in Great Britain, but also one of the highest, being only 5 metres (16 ft) tall, but 58 metres (190 ft) above mean sea level. It was also said to be the deepest because the optic was originally turned by a weight falling down a 45 metres (148 ft) deep shaft (though an electric motor was subsequently used).[4]

Berry Head Lighthouse

Berry Head Lighthouse
Devon
Location	Brixham Devon England
Coordinates	50°23′58.5″N 3°29′0.4″W
Year first constructed	1906
Automated	1921
Tower shape	cylindrical lantern with dome attached to equipment building
Markings / pattern	white lantern and dome
Tower height	5 m (16 ft)
Focal height	58 m (190 ft)
Original lens	500 mm 3rd order rotating optic
Current lens	LED
Range	18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (2) W 15s.
Admiralty number	A0244
NGA number	0344
ARLHS number	ENG 007
Managing agent	Trinity House[1] [2]

Placed within a revolving third-order dioptric optic, the light had an intensity of 4,200 candela and a range of 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi); it gave a double white flash every 15 seconds.[4] In 2019 the optic and lamp were removed and replaced with a pair of self-contained LED lanterns (one serving as the main light, the other as a standby); the old characteristic was retained. The installation was the first application by Trinity House of its so-called 'simple lighthouse scheme', intended to be extended to all other shore-based mains-powered lighthouses, except those with more complex display requirements (e.g. provision of a sector light).[3]

Semaphore signalling apparatus was on Berry Head before 1875 and acted as the Lloyds' Signal Station for Torbay.