by Terry Bearpark
A new book detailing the history of the Spurn lighthouses has been published, marking the 130th anniversary of the last lighthouse to be built on the peninsula.
Sentinel of the Sea has been compiled by Easington resident and historian Mike Welton on behalf of the Spurn, Kilnsea and Easington Area Local Studies Group (SKEALS), which was established in 2006. This is the ninth book published by the group recording the history of the area.
The book was launched last Saturday at an exhibition of the various lighthouses built on the point, and included many artefacts from them, including lenses from the revolving lights.
There have been lighthouses at the point for some 600 years, including John Smeaton’s coal-fired high lighthouse built in 1776. The current lighthouse was built in 1895 by Thomas Matthews and was decommissioned in 1985. It was restored in 2016 and opened to the public.
Mr Welton’s book gives a unique insight into the various lights built at Spurn over the years and is accompanied by several drawings and photographs.
To order a book and for more information about SKEALS activities and projects visit skeals.co.uk or email [email protected]. The book is also available in shops in the area.