How Victorians Built This Lighthouse at Sea

The Victorians faced huge challenges building a lighthouse at sea 213m from the cliffs of Beachy Head. But a series of disastrous shipwrecks off England's South Coast couldn't be ignored, so they came up with an ingenious solution based on the latest technology of the time and plenty of steam.

But why did the Victorians choose to build a lighthouse at Beachy Head anyway? And how did they tame the sea to construct a structure that still stands today?

Join me as I visit Beachy Head and dig into the past to learn why this project got attention from around the world.

0:00 The Challenge of Building a Lighthouse at Sea
0:54 Why Sailors Should Avoid Beachy Head
1:45 Dominating the Sea To Make Construction Possible
3:06 Being a 20th Century Lighthouse Keeper
4:13 Modernising Beachy Head Lighthouse

[KenwayJoel]

I've lived in Eastbourne all my life, and I'm only just starting to take an interest in my local history. Videos like this make an otherwise dull town much more interesting.

[FloatingOnAZephyr]

Excellently put together. Deserves more views!

[elia_]

Watched a few of your videos and so far enjoying what I see! Really entertaining content. Subscribed

[Robbie]

If you think this is impressive take a look at the Eddystone lighthouse(s). Really nice video btw.

[jonntischnabel]

Great video. Just wish people would stop thinking big Ben is a building. 😂

[rsstnnr]

Great video. I wonder what it would take to knock the lighthouse over. There's must be a limit.

[iiyyxxnn]

Great video! I have been trying to figure out how the la jument lighthouse was built which lead me here.

[SirWilkins]

Why did´t they build the ligthouse on the cliff top insted? higer up and cheaper to build.

[blindsided]

Ok, but how did they build the dam? That’s what I’m looking for.

[philprice]

And why would a lighthouse be built in the sea below a massive cliff?

[Super_Stan]

Planners like


Weve invented a device in which steam is used to power things!

Marvellous lets power something




Any suggestions?


Industry!

Don't be absurd!, what we need right away, is a lighthouse



I say

[carlyG]

If they built it that close to the shore, why not just build it on the shore?