Land lighthouse: Difference between revisions
typo and removed ref to Dick Turpin (it's mentioned in Dunston Pillar article) |
m *disorientated is not a word |
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[[Image:Dunstonpillar.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Dunston Pillar]], a land lighthouse]] |
[[Image:Dunstonpillar.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Dunston Pillar]], a land lighthouse]] |
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A [[land lighthouse]] is simply a [[lighthouse]] constructed to aid navigation over land, rather than water. Historically, they were constructed in areas of flatland where the featureless landscape and prevailing weather conditions (e.g. winter [[fog]]) might cause travellers to become easily |
A [[land lighthouse]] is simply a [[lighthouse]] constructed to aid navigation over land, rather than water. Historically, they were constructed in areas of flatland where the featureless landscape and prevailing weather conditions (e.g. winter [[fog]]) might cause travellers to become easily disoriented and lost. In such a landscape a high tower with a bright lantern could be visible for many kilometres. |
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One example of such a structure is [[Dunston Pillar]], an [[18th century]] tower built to help travellers crossing the [[heathland]] of mid-[[Lincolnshire]] and to lessen the danger to them from highwaymen. |
One example of such a structure is [[Dunston Pillar]], an [[18th century]] tower built to help travellers crossing the [[heathland]] of mid-[[Lincolnshire]] and to lessen the danger to them from highwaymen. |
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Revision as of 11:25, 20 October 2004
A land lighthouse is simply a lighthouse constructed to aid navigation over land, rather than water. Historically, they were constructed in areas of flatland where the featureless landscape and prevailing weather conditions (e.g. winter fog) might cause travellers to become easily disoriented and lost. In such a landscape a high tower with a bright lantern could be visible for many kilometres.
One example of such a structure is Dunston Pillar, an 18th century tower built to help travellers crossing the heathland of mid-Lincolnshire and to lessen the danger to them from highwaymen.
Due to general improvements in transport and navigation throughout the 19th century, land lighthouses became almost totally obsolete as aids to travellers in remote places.