Photographic copy of drawings showing details of fittings in bedroom of tower.

E 25756 CN

Description Photographic copy of drawings showing details of fittings in bedroom of tower.

Date 23/12/1856

Collection Records of the Northern Lighthouse Board, Edinburgh, Scotland

Catalogue Number E 25756 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copy of DC 8912

Scope and Content Photographic copy of details of fittings in bedroom of tower, North Unst Lighthouse, Muckle Flugga, Unst, Shetland Islands This shows a sheet of drawings detailing the interior fittings of the lighthouse keepers' bedroom area within the tower. The drawing shows enclosed bunk beds with storage drawers underneath, presses below the deep windows in the side of the tower, and wash basins. In addition, details of the woodwork are included to aid the joiners in their construction of the fittings. The task of building a lighthouse on this inhospitable and barren outcrop of rock in the middle of treacherous seas was made more difficult by the fact that Muckle Flugga (the name means 'great precipice') has no natural landing area. All supplies had to be carried to the summit by hand or hauled up the sheer eastern face from the boats below. Over 121 tonnes of tools, provisions, stone blocks and cement were transported here to construct the light. North Unst Lighthouse (renamed Muckle Flugga Lighthouse in 1964) was built in 1858 by engineers David (1815-86) and Thomas Stevenson (1818-87), although a temporary light was placed here in 1854 to ensure safe passage for British ships during the Crimean War (1853-6). The tower stands 20m high and its light has a range of about 41km. The lighthouse was automated in March 1995. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Medium colour negative

Accession Number 1987/10

External Reference C/57/39

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