|
A familiar landmark off the Wirral shore for
sailors entering the Mersey Estuary is Perch Rock Lighthouse and the nearby Fort
Perch Rock.
HISTORICAL NOTES:
A report recommending construction of Fort
Perch Rock to protect the Mersey Estuary from attack, was published by Colonel
Pilkington, Royal Engineers, in 1814. However, with the defeat of Napoleon the
need for such defences gained a lower priority.
However, following the destruction of a marker
perch which identified the location of the rock in a storm during March 1824 the
Liverpool Ship Owners Association passed a resolution recommending the
construction of a lighthouse.
Liverpool Corporation petitioned the Duke of
Wellington as Master General of the Board of Ordnance to take steps to provide
permanent defences for the Mersey Estuary and provide both a fort and
lighthouse.
Construction of the Fort was undertaken under
the direction of Captain John Kitson, Royal Engineers, using Col.
Pilkington's plans with some modifications.
The new Perch Rock Lighthouse was constructed
to the design of John Foster [jnr], Liverpool Corporation Surveyor and based on
the successful Smeaton's Lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef off Plymouth [Now
preserved on Plymouth Hoe.].
On completion of the lighthouse the
Corporation handed it over to the Mersey Dock Trustees who were to pay a rental
of £1.00 a year until 1973 when the light house was abandoned and handed back
to Liverpool Corporation which then sold it into private hands. The lighthouse
had been automated since 1925.
The Fort, mainly constructed of Runcorn
sandstone, was completed in April 1839 having cost £26,965.
Fort Perch Rock was modified during the
twentieth century. The search light and observation position were constructed on
the east tower in 1919. The modern looking radar tower and lookout on the west
tower dates from 1941.
The fort was run down during the early 1950s
and by the mid 1950s it was being opened as a museum and tourist attraction by
the local Royal Artillery Association. In 1958 Fort Perch Rock passed to local
amusement operator Tommy Mann and business partner T. Kershaw proprietor of a
number of Lancashire cleaning shops. The fort has now passed through several
individuals, its previous owner Mr. Kingham being responsible for some
substantial restoration work. The fort is open to the public during the summer
season.
A detailed history of the fort and lighthouse
was published in the early 1990s and is recommended reading. Details below:
Further Reading:
Fort Perch Rock by Ken McCarron - Countyvise / Merseyside Portfolios |
