Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Lighthouses, David Alan Stevenson had again visited the Flannan Islands and looked
at the various difficulties associated with the building of a lighthouse on Eilean Mor.
Stevenson had actually written two reports on the possibilities of a lighthouse on the
Flannan Islands. The first was dated 3 January 1893. 8 The second report was dated 21
October 1895 9 and was duly presented to the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses
for their consideration.
In his report dated 3 January 1893, Stevenson broke down the building costs as fol-
lows:
Tower and Buildings on Eilean Mor:
As if built on shore
£1,600
Boundary walls and fencing
£200
Landing places, stairs and tramways
£1,625
Paths from south landing place
£60
Cranes, hauling engines etc.
£370
Temporary barracks, stores etc.
£310
Maintenance of workmen for 3 Seasons
£945
Shipping 3 Seasons, moorings and landing boats
£7200
Parapet, lantern, optical apparatus, revolving machine, lamps and fountains,
and oil cisterns
£7,050
Dwelling houses for 4 lighthouse keepers at Stromness
£2,425
Land
£200
David Alan Stevenson stated in the report that his view was that if the work could be
completed in two seasons instead of three, then the total amount would be reduced by
about £2,000. The crux of the whole project was the light itself; he estimated the centre
of the optical apparatus would be 328ft above sea level and would give a clear weath-
er range of light of 24 miles. He also proposed that the Flannan light should give two
flashes in quick succession every half minute.
Stevenson then turned his attention to the question of shore accommodation for the
lightkeepersandtheirfamilies.InitiallyhefavouredStromness.This,hestated,wasdue
to the fact that the relief vessel (the lighthouse tender) Pole Star was stationed there.
ThealternativetobuildingthecottagesatStromnesswasthenearestsuitablelocationto
theFlannanIslands,whichwasWestLochRoagandthesmallsettlementsatBreasclete
and Carloway. The intention of building the lightkeepers' cottages at Stromness was so
that,asthereliefsfortheSuleSkerryLighthouseStationwerealreadymadefromthere,
it would be easier to also make the reliefs for the Flannan Islands from the same loca-
tion.StevensonestimatedthatdoingboththeSuleSkerryreliefandtheFlannanswould
 
 
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