ARNISH ROCK.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 26, 29 March 1907, Page 7

ARNISH ROCK.

A LIGHTHOUom WHICH IS WITHOUT A LIGHT OF ITS OWN * The most extraordinary of all lighthouses is to be found on Arnish Rock, Stornoway Ray, a rock which is separated from thd island of Lewis by a channel over 500 ft. wide. It is in the Hebrides, Scotland. On this rock a conical beacon is erected and on the summit a. lantern is fixed, from which night after night shines a light which is seen by the fishermen far and wide. Yet there is no burning lamp in the lantern, and no attendant ever goes to it, for the ■simple reason that there is no lamp to attend to. no wick to trim, and no oil well to replenish.

Ihe way in which this peculiar lighthouse is illuminated is this “On the island of Lewis, 500 ft, or so away, is a lighthouse, and from a window in the tower a stream of light is projected on a mirror’in the lantern on the summit of Arnish rock. These rays are reflected to an arrangement of prisms, and by their action are converged to a focus outside the lantern, from which they diverge in the necessary direction.” The consequence is that to all intents and purposes a lighthouse exists which has neither lamp nor lighthouse-keeper, and yet which gives as serviceable a light, taking into account the requirements of the locality, as if an elaborate'and costly lighthouse, with lamps, serviceroom, bedroom, living-room, storeroom, oilroom. water tanks, and all other accessories, were erected on the summit of the rock.