Souter Lighthouse - Hilary and the Foghorn!

2 miles south of South Shields, Souter Lighthouse overlooks the cliffs of Marsden Bay, above the rocks and notorious currents of the 'Whitburn Steel' that have wrecked dozens of ships and claimed the lives of many mariners. The lighthouse started operating in 1871 and was, at the time the most advanced in the world.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Souter
• Lighthouse
• Foghorn

[FellrunnerJim]

Ha Ha, a reet good blow!

[Umpqua1012]

@RinnDubhan What a pity! Send my regards!

[Umpqua1012]

@RinnDubhan I am going to kill COIL for what they did to hose foghorns! (Especially Mew Island!)

[Umpqua1012]

@jane1975 I can confirm that Strathy Point had those horns you just described. I have an old postcard picture of Strathy Point and it shows those exact horns.

[Umpqua1012]

@StevieO1974 You were lucky ,mate!

[Umpqua1012]

@RinnDubhan That's bull that they only rely on modern navigational equipment, where I stay, manned lighthouses and foghorns are a major need.

[StevieO1974]

@jane1975 Thanks Jane. I remember the old Siren and yes, it did sound very much like a mooing cow - broadly similar to the current signal but of a slightly lower pitch. Both it (and Souter when it was operational) could be heard over much of Sunderland. I don't have a recording of the Siren sadly but if it was replaced in 2007 chances are someone may have one. Haven't heard the Seaham horn but it's good to see fog signals still being used in that area when many others have been silenced..

[jane1975]

@StevieO1974 : I can tell you that the one now being used is a standard used today in many lighthouses, a 300hz electric nautophone horn. The Siren would of been lower in tone and probably sounded a bit like a mooing cow. It 's pity it was replaced, however I am surprised there is a fog signal at all as many despite the frequent fogs on the North Sea, have been shut off. Would of liked to of heard the Siren though, don't suppose there is a recording of it. I believe Seaham has a horn too.

[StevieO1974]

@jane1975 The Siren was definitely in use back in 2000 as I remember hearing it one foggy morning when on holiday in Roker. I've just been watching the YouTube video (The Foggy Beach) and the fog signal heard on it appears to be the one installed in 2007 - whether it's the Siren modfied or a replacement unit I wouldn't like to say for definite.

[jane1975]

@StevieO1974 : Thanks I will do that, the horn appears to of been modified in 2007, prior to that it was the Siren I guess. I will check that out.