View source for Mumbles Lighthouse

{{Short description|Lighthouse in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name            = Mumbles Lighthouse
| image           = MumblesLighthouse2.jpg
| image_width     =
| caption         = The Lighthouse at Mumbles Head
| location        = [[Mumbles Head]]<br>[[Swansea]]<br>[[Wales]]
| coordinates     = {{coord|51.566853|-3.971235|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt       = 1794
| yearlit         = 
| automated       = 1934
| yeardeactivated = 
| foundation      = 
| construction    = brick tower
| shape           = two-stage octagonal tower with double balcony and lantern
| marking         = white tower and lantern
| height          = {{convert|17|m|ft}}
| focalheight     = {{convert|35|m|ft}}
| lens            = biformed pair of Tideland Ml300 beacons
| intensity       = 13,700 candela
| range           = {{convert|15|nmi}}
| characteristic  = Fl (4) W 20s.
| fogsignal       = 
| racon           = 
| country         = 
| countrynumber   = 
| countrylink     = 
| managingagent   = Trinity House<ref>{{Cite rowlett|cym|accessdate=2016-06-01}}</ref><ref>[https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses-and-lightvessels/mumbles-lighthouse Mumbles Lighthouse] Trinity House. Retrieved 1 June 2016</ref>
| heritage        = 
| module          =  
}}
'''Mumbles Lighthouse''', completed in 1794, is a [[lighthouse]] located in [[Mumbles]], near [[Swansea]].<ref name="Trinity">{{cite web |url=http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/mumbles.html |title=Mumbles |publisher=[[Trinity House]] |access-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414061333/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/mumbles.html |archive-date=14 April 2011 }}</ref> The structure, which sits on the outer of two islands off Mumbles Head, is clearly visible from any point along the five mile sweep of [[Swansea Bay]]. Along with the nearby lifeboat station, it is the most photographed landmark in the village.

[[File:Meyers Universum Band 18 16.jpg|thumb|left|Mumbles Lighthouse (1857)]]
The tower has two tiers and initially two open coal fire lights were displayed.<ref name="Trinity"/> These open coal fire lights were difficult to maintain and were soon replaced by a single [[Kerosene lamp|oil-powered light]] within a cast-iron [[lantern]].<ref name="Trinity"/>

In 1860, the oil-powered light was upgraded to a [[dioptrics|dioptric]] light and the [[Mumbles Battery]], a  [[fortification|fort]] that surrounds the tower, was built by the War Department.<ref name="Jenkins">{{cite web |url=http://www.cblights.com/lights/themumbleslighthouse.html|title=The Mumbles Lighthouse |work=Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project |author=Matthew Jenkins |access-date=12 April 2011}}</ref>

In 1905, an [[characteristic light|occulting]] mechanism, where the light was made to flash, was fitted. This was partially automated in 1934.<ref name="Jenkins"/>

By 1977, the cast-iron lantern had deteriorated beyond repair and was removed. A different lantern was added in 1987.<ref name="Jenkins"/>

In 1995, the main light was replaced and an array of [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]]s and emergency monitoring equipment were added.<ref name="Trinity"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Wales|Engineering}}
* [[List of lighthouses in Wales]]
* [[Trinity House]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|position=left|Mumbles Lighthouse}}
* {{gbmapping|SS634872}}
* [http://cblights.com/lights/themumbleslighthouse.html Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project - The Mumbles Lighthouse]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/ahistoryofmumbles/the-guns-of-mumbles-head/the-guns-of-mumbles-lighthouse-island-swansea-bay “The Guns of Mumbles Lighthouse Island” by A History of Mumbles]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/ahistoryofmumbles/author-collections/articles-by-carol-powell/charlie-cottle-last-mumbles-lighthouse-keeper-by-carol-powell “Charlie Cottle - The Last Mumbles Lighthouse Keeper” by Carol Powell]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/ahistoryofmumbles/author-collections/articles-by-carol-powell/the-women-of-mumbles-head-the-story-by-carol-powell-m-a “The Women of Mumbles Head” by Carol Powell. This records the heroism during a storm, of the Ace Sisters, Jessie Ace & Margaret Wright]
* [https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/ Trinity House]

{{Gower Peninsula}}
{{Lighthouses of Trinity House}}
{{Lighthouses in Wales}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lighthouses in Wales]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1794]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1794]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Swansea]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed lighthouses]]
[[Category:1794 establishments in Wales]]
[[Category:Mumbles|lighthouse]]