Egypt Point
Egypt Point is the northernmost point of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire's great south island. It was one of Queen Victoria's favoured places during her time on the island.[1]
Egypt Point lies in between the town of Cowes and the village of Gurnard.
Between 1897 and 1989 a lighthouse was maintained at the point by Trinity House. It flashed white every ten seconds, with a range of 10 nautical miles.[2][3] Initially lit by paraffin, in 1925 it was converted to run automatically on acetylene; then in 1969 it was converted to run on electricity.[4] In 1989 the 'changing requirements of the Mariner' led to the light being decommissioned.[5] Though the light no longer functions, the structure remains a seamark for yachtsmen. In 1997 ownership was transferred from Trinity House to the local Council.[6]
Egypt Point derives its name from a nearby gypsy encampment from the 16th century.[7] It is now a popular vantage point for the annual Round the Island Race which starts and ends at Cowes.
Location
- Location map: 50°46’1"N, 1°18’54"W
- Streetmap: SZ484966
See also
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Egypt Point) |
References
- ↑ "A guide to Egypt Point". Information Britain. http://www.information-britain.co.uk/county71/townguideEgypt%20Point.
- ↑ Saxby Wryde, J. (1913). British Lighthouses: Their History and Romance. London: T. F. Unwin. p. 330.
- ↑ Brown, T. Nigel; Ingram-Brown, Robert (1985). Brown's Nautical Almanac. Glasgow: Brown, Son & Ferguson. p. 726.
- ↑ "Egypt Point Lighthouse". http://www.worldwidelighthouses.com/Lighthouses/English-Lighthouses/Privately-Owned/Egypt-Point.
- ↑ Plaque on lighthouse.
- ↑ Birchell, Capt. A. C. (January 1998). "Lighthouses for Tourists". Sea Breezes: The Magazine of Ships and the Sea 72 (625): 12.
- ↑ Cowes Town Guide Retrieved 16 February 2014