Sunderland South Pier - Roker Cliff Park, Roker, Tyne and Weir
 | Lighthouse category: harbour Position: 54° 55' 52.4" N; 1° 21' 58.1" W Status: inactive Date: 1856 Designer: Thomas Meik Tower height: 50 feet Construction: round cast iron tower Colour scheme: white with black gallery rail and weather vane Focal plane height: not applicable Characteristics: not applicable Foghorn: not applicable Google map view: google map link |
This slender, rather elegant looking lighthouse was once located on the South Pier at the entrance to Sunderland harbour. However, like Smeaton's Eddystone tower it was moved to a new location at the end of its active life. The South Pier was built in the period 1723 to 1750 (approximately), the lighthouse itself dating from 1856. Although the light had been inactive since the early 1900s it remained in its original location until 1983 when the old South Pier was shortened. The light was then relocated to Cliff Park in Roker where it is seen in this photograph.
The shortened South Pier is now marked by a rather less impressive structure which can be seen in the photograph below immediately in front of the North Pier light. This is a 27 foot, red metal tower incorporating a day mark and with a flashing red light visible for two miles.
