Old Low Light |
| Hob Uid: 954947 | |
Location :
North Tyneside
Non Civil Parish
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| Grid Ref : NZ3631068487 |
| Summary : Old Low Light, Cliffords Fort. This building replaced (or was remodelled) an earlier structure which was built 1539. That building was then enclosed by Clifford's Fort in 1672. By 1686 this low light had become ruinous. The present extant structure was built circa 1727-33 as a lighthouse and comprised a 6-bay, two-storey brick building with a single light window central to its ashlar-built east gable. The building was raised by a storey and extended in 1775. By 1805 it became redundant as the lights were no longer practicable. New Low and High lights were constructed (see record 26512) 1808-10. The lantern turret of low light was removed to make way for an additional storey. It was converted to almshouses 1830 and then a warehouse and cold store. Later it was the training establishment for the deep sea fisheries association and most recently the Maritime Service Volunteers, who left in 2011. It is under refurbishment (2014). Listed. |
More information : In 1536, Henry VIII granted a charter to the Blessed Holy Trinity to build and fortify two navigation lights at North Shields at the mouth of the Tyne. They were to use stone from the demolished Newcastle Blackfriars. The first Low Light was built in 1539 on a spit of land projecting 130 yards from the shore, and the High Light was built in line with it and the deep water channel at the mouth of the Tyne. Both were completed by 1540. Both towers were heightened in 1613, but both were replaced by timber towers when the channel shifted in the 17th century. New stone towers had been created by 1672 when it was included in Clifford’s fort. - Recorded by NRIM , photographed and newspaper article. (1)
A pair of towers guarding the river mouth were licenced in 1536. They also carried lights. (2)
Listed. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. (3-4)
1727 building replaced earlier one documented to have been built 1539-40. Due to the height of the Governor's House the lighthouse was raised in 1775. Converted to Almshouses 1830. New low light completed 1808. (5)
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