Lighthouses, inspiring muses for many artists. Musicians, writers, artists saw (and see) inspiration in these huge luminous structures. These are guiding signs, strong, stable, some very ancient, very lonely and naked, but of great value because their presence can make the difference between life and death.
Although modern satellite navigation systems such as GPS threaten the work of lighthouse keepers, a profession that is now in danger of extinction, they they are still useful for night navigationas they allow you to check the ship’s position on a nautical chart.
These are big Tower-shaped buildings are equipped with a lighting system. Consists of a spotlight and a rotation mechanism necessary for night navigation. They can usually be found on islands, on coastlines surrounded by cliffs, and at the entrances to ports.
Lighthouses provide guidance for boats at night and on stormy days.
Headlights follow a descriptive code based on the time sequence of lights, called a “characteristic”, which serves to identify them. At the top of the tower there are one or two very powerful lamps. In sea lighthouses, a lantern is equipped Fresnel lenses the number, width, color and separation of which vary depending on each beacon. When the headlight works in the dark, the lamp emits rays of light through 360° rotating lenses.
They not only warn sailors about proximity to the shorebut they also allow find out where they are on the coast observing the intervals and colors of emitted light rays.
On days of thick fog, when the light beam is ineffective, some headlights also have sirens that make sounds.
Sometimes it is located among picturesque landscapes with paradise views, and sometimes it is located on the shores of the most picturesque seas in the world. let’s consider three lighthouses are recognized as the most dangerous and/or amazing in the world.
Jumenta Lighthouse
Is in one of the most dangerous oceanic regions in Europe, is one of the most inhospitable and dangerous lighthouses on the planet. This tower was built on the rock of La Jument, 300 meters from the southwestern coast of the island of Ouessant, located in the department of Finistère, in Brittany.. It withstands storms with very strong winds causing waves tens of meters high.
Lighthouse Yument became very popular after dramatic photograph taken by Jean Guichard in 1989. On December 21 of that year, a low pressure system originated from Ireland. waves up to 30 meters high hit the lighthouse, where a man was waiting for rescue.
The waves flooded the first floors of the tower and its only occupant, Theodore Malgor took refuge in the lighthouse room, awaiting salvation. Photographer Guichard came out from a helicopter around the lighthouse to take some impressive photos.
Hearing the noise of the helicopter’s rotors, Theodore, believing that it was the arrival of his rescuers, hurried and went down to the entrance to the lighthouse. At the same moment, a huge wave rose behind the lighthouse. Guichard was able to immortalize the moment with his camera, and fortunately, Theodore managed to return to the lighthouse without incident. A few days later he was rescued.
St. Joseph Lighthouse: “frozen tower”
It is located at the mouth of the St. Joseph River. near Tiscornia park, on the northern breakwater of Lake Michigan, USA. It has two headlights, one external and one internal, which were built more than a century ago.
With a height of only 17.37 meters, it stands out for its witnessed winter storms with icy winds that completely covered it in ice, at least once a year when the temperature reaches -18 °C between December and February. Large waves crash against the pier and lighthouses, creating fabulous ice formations.
Muro Lighthouse: warrior against the waves
This lighthouse is located on the island of Muro, at the entrance to the Bay of Santander, in Cantabria., and was put into operation for the first time on February 15, 1860. With a focal height of 38.7 meters above sea level, its height is 18.39 meters. Its profile is similar to other rock lighthouses that light the English coast, with a white conical tower.
Currently uninhabited, the lighthouse keepers remained there until 1921, but it was decided to abandon the area due to the numerous storms that hit the region, which they left the workers in complete isolation for long days.
In its history as a “dangerous lighthouse,” certain episodes are remembered. For example, a storm that occurred in 1865, resulting in the death of one of the lighthouse keepers, caught by a giant wave and thrown into the sea. Another sad episode occurred during a strong wind and wave storm in 1896. One of the two lighthouse keepers who lived on the island died suddenly, and his companion had to live with the body for several days until the storm passed and he was rescued.
A very strong storm in February 1996 completely destroyed the lighting system and the lighthouse remained inoperative for some time as adverse weather and sea conditions made it impossible to access it for repairs.