THE LIGHTHOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 20

THE LIGHTHOUSE

WORK OP THE STEVENSON

BBOTHEBS.

It is a singular reflection, new to most people, that the great aystem of lighthouses—rexcopting the lights set at : the approaches to ports—remains almost unchanged since the days of tho sailing ships, for whose guidanco those noble beacons were first constructed (says tho London "Morning Post"). The shipowners, over vigilant, of the Liverpool Steam Ship Owners' Asaocin-tion,-whose annual report Uas just boon published, state, that the general considerations 'in respect of which tho lighthouses were erected "have not been reviewed since tho days of tho sailing ships," nor, as far as the association is aware, has the extent to which wireless telegraph may bo used to replace the general lights yet been considered. One effect of the cliango from sails to steam was to enable vessels to proceed upon regular routes, almost as well marked as tho tracks of railways, instead of being driven from their course by stress of weather or shift of wind. ; In so far as the liners are cOEiierned^.their routes to and from every quarter of the world are practically fixed, and they run to time like | trainß, -.while, the. tramp still wanders from port-:to; port, picking up cargo where she may. It may be gathered fronv their report that the Liverpool Steam -Ship Owners do not complain that the: alteration of routes has made !. new lights necessary, but'that some of the existing lights might be abolished in the interests of economy, or replaced .by wireless stations. ' That is the very practical suggestion i they, commend to the consideration of,

Trinity. House, that ancient and august corporation .which is charged with the maintenance .of lighthouse services. Among the lighthouses of Britain arc national monuments of a majestic beauty,' whose, faithful beams have lighted so many thousands of mariners to safety. One of, the first lighthouses to be constructed,,was the Eddystone. The famous Bell Rock lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson, father of Thomas Stevenson, father of Eobort Louis Stovenson. Skerryvore, which R. L. Stevenson calls "the noblest of all extant deep-sea lights," was built by Thomas Stevenson's brother Alan. Thomas and AJan .erected no fewer than 27 Shore lights and some 25 beacons. Save in the, annals of the sea, tho written record of tho great achievements of tho Stevensons survives only in tho briof history written by Robert Louis Stevenson, who forsook engineering for letters. Other .familiar lights aro the Bishop Bock, guarding the dangerous passago between the Seilly Isles and the Lizard, the Nsedles, arid St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight._ Memories of theso glittering or radiant, beacons perceived through the deep of night, or the pallor of the dawn,, naturally suggest a reflection, as to the old, cold courage of tho seamen who sailed out and home ore the lighthouses were built. And what of tho sailors in tho war, what time tho lights were extinguished?