@@PeterHalil They're magic, and I reckon Britain's maritime history owes you a debt of gratitude. I wonder if Royal Museums Greenwich would be intrested in honoring these?
@@lefroy1 Ha Ha, funny you should say that but years ago they wanted everything that I had done and wanted the full copyright for it all which didn't appeal...so people on youtube get it all for free anyway, but at least it will be seen and I don't surrender my copyright.
@@PeterHalil Wow! Well kudos to you for letting us have them for free. I for one, and I'm sure many others, are very greatful for this pefectly paced window into a romantic, and sadly bygone era.
I must be a miserable sod, because even before this current world affair this job appeals no end. Watched a huge about of your collection peter, great content cant express enough how lucky we all are for these vids. a real step back in time, I like lighthouses as they stand these days but I know the insides would bore me being to modern. Here you are with life inside when they were manned, BRILLANT STUFF. hope you got an interview Gerry from the needles coming up, or possibly when all this has blown over make a modern interview with him
Hi Minty, just discovered masses of messages on you tube that I didn't get notified about, so sorry with the extreme delay. Thanks for the kind words, and yes there is another Needles trip video coming with automation in progress plus whilst I was there I interviewed Gerry which will come out after the needles one as I shot both on board, stay safe.
Peter Halil that’s fantastic news. More from the needles. I’m sure you will not recall all the times we spoke via here now. But I got in touch with Gerry his replied. I’ve failed to respond yet. But has pointed me in a new direction for the needles pictures. Sadly looks like the archive he looked after has gone miles up north now. So will have to arrange a trip to the new place next year now
Beautiful Lighthouse and Sark... My dad was a seaman 30+ years (long), and I started to go abroad by sea from my 3 years of age (only) - my mom took me with her to be with dad on ship(s). Has become adult I continue to be a professional seaman (sailor). Greeting from an ex Seaman.
Thank you for your comments. Your Dad certainly put in plenty of sea time, and nice to see that you followed your Dad to sea also. Take care and safe winds.
The curved cabinet was awesome, carpentry and craftsmanship from a long time ago I'm sure, I remember when I was a small boy running around my grandfather's wood shop, and I can remember my father and grandfather working on a custom built cabinet just like the one in this lighthouse but I live on the east coast and it was for a tower somewhere in Maryland. This would of been in the early 70s and somewhere on the back of these one of a kind pieces would be stamped or burned in the wood the makers proof and his was a Indian chief and it said Pap &Son.This video brought back memories from a long time ago when I seen that old cabinet. I LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS they are excellent.
Hello Keith, glad you like my videos and even more so when it gets to trigger some lovely memories that you've shared. Hope you are well and staying safe, cheers and take care.
Self isolation is what I've been trained for ! seriously though, if I was still a Keeper it would be another sort of horror to be safe out to sea on a Lighthouse and worrying every day about your Wife and Family at home, stay safe to Tony, cheers.
Lovely video, that gleaming brass, ths whole cared for appearance. Beautiful lens, such craftsmanship, looks super heavy and they floated it on mercury. Automated 1993, I hope it's still in place, but with modern technology probably not, just hope it got saved.
No cars, must be quite tranquil on that island. Some lovely photography opportunities there too. I love the pride taken in the brass work. I forgot to mention in my last comment on another video, I visited South Stack also. Very well preserved. The Lister engines still in situ. You must of heard those engines running in your head even when off duty. Take care. Another excellent video.
The Island was peaceful but not just after another boat disgorged its cargo of tourists! Then for next several hours it was mayhem, cycles every where, horse and carts by the dozen, tractors whizzing up and down. Then once the last tourist boat left the Island, peace again.Cheers.
Hi Peter I worked on Tugs on the River thames down in the engine room and part of the job was cleaning the brass and copper and found that an old woolen sock was best to put the Bluebell on and a soft cloth to polish, Thanks for the Vlog . PS I like the shorts !!!!??.
Cheers for that info, the sock and bluebell, not the shorts LOL I'm glad I edited the shorts clip now, take care, stay safe. Tugs on the Thames sounds interesting.
Hi, Peter another superb video, it brings back happy memories, intoxicated tractor drivers ( yes even mid morning ) a cold swim in the Venus pool a quick look in The Seigneurs garden it was forty four years since I was there, it looked a bit busier on the video than it was in 1976. I didn't hear it on the video, but I remember a gas engine or very slow running diesel thumping away somewhere in the middle of the village powering the islands electricity generator, probably long gone by now, might even have been in1992 when you were there, a beautiful island, and not a bad looking lighthouse, 😉up to the usual a Trinity House standard, Brasso consumption must have plummeted when lighthouses were automated, it must be idyllic living there you were very lucky getting a posting there, enough rambling, back to covid19 isolation, more videos please, take care. David Clark.
Hi David, yes the generator was still there when I visited, you've got some great memories there. When I stated doing this video record, I approached Trinity House to use and abuse me in regards sending me to replace Keepers to cover sickies etc, the rest I used up lots of my leave (Holidays) to do.Lots of Lighthouses offered me a bed for the night to enable me to video those, others I slept in my car!..my body was younger then! LOL, stay safe, cheers.
I can’t get over the beautiful lens! Wow! Beautiful island too. I bet you can hear yourself think. It seems so peaceful. As always, thank you so much for sharing. Takes me away from the current madness for a bit.
Yes Sark is magical, but the madness has managed to scare them into closing the Island to visitors at the moment, everybody is bunkering down, well apart from several inconsiderates that are in denial. Take care, stay safe.
bril vid, very informative 😊 it gave such a "we are there" feel (like all peters vids) not many can do that! on a less serious note, i was shocked to not see the great hole in the middle of sark... the sark chassam (sorry, couldnt resist!) ok so that could be thr caves under the cliffs!!
Thank you Geoff for the kind words, much appreciated. Ha Ha!, there is a "Hole in the Rock", which I did visit and did film, but apparently was some of the age damaged footage that was lost. Thanks again, take care and stay safe.
Another great, thank you Peter. Apart from all the different equipment and machinery that would have been unique to certain locations and/or designs of Lighthouses, I am always fascinated by the old wooden wall units, cabinets and other original furniture in the towers and accommodations. Such a shame they were often removed. I could find a home for some of it haha. Winding that mechanism reminded me of winding the big old memorial clock on the Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood. One of my jobs there - 1975 ish.
Cheers Jack, yes I would have loved one of those curved cupboards myself, not to be I'm afraid. Winding the Memorial clock sounds interesting, stay safe.
Peter, thank you this is wonderful. We stayed as guests in the lighthouse in Summer 2014 - it was a memorable experience and many of the features in the accommodation area had not changed since your film as shot. It was an experience i will never forget. The BBC did a series of written memoirs from the last lighthouse keeper who served here - I hope they are still available on the BBC website for anyone who is interested. Thanks again.
Thank you Rob for the kind words. Glad that you were able to experience some of what I and all the Keepers before and after did. Not only the Island but the Lighthouse is rather special. I shall have to try and hunt down those memoirs you've mentioned, thanks. Take care and stay safe.
@@PeterHalil Peter at the time the accommodation was being leased to an extraordinary gentleman who was a blind Barrister who I had the pleasure to talk to over the phone on several occasions. I presume his lease came to an end in the late 2010s as I have recently seen an advert for a lease for a very much refurbished accommodation. I found Sark to be an enchanting place - if you can't locate the BBC archive material i believe i have kept hard copy which i could send to you. It must have been a sad end when they de-manned the lighthouse (and many others). Local rumour has it that during the occupation the German army locked errant soldiers in the outdoor store house, although when we were there it wouldn't have taken much to escape so ot might just be popular wartime folklore! Kind regards. RL.
@@roblever1030 Thanks Rob, I was only on Sark for the one Month to cover for an absent Keeper so don't know more than you on that POW History bit, sounds good though. Yes it was a shock of sorts when we were all put out to pasture! One of the Keepers I was on Sark with had been posted there for 12 years and the other about 8, so that must have hurt to leave such a place, thanks again and stay safe.
I’m loving your channel!!! Discovered by looking at a film about an Icelandic lighthouse. Fantastic way of life. Perfect for isolating during the coronavirus!!! Also lovely way of life too.
I saw 7 dolphins there last week by Grande Moie (the rock just offshore from the lighthouse). Shame the lens has been replaced by an LED. Lovely island, worth a visit.
Thank you for that Mate. Dolphins, I never saw anything but constant small boats when I was there. I would like to re visit the Island, sad about the lens being replaced, cheers and stay safe
Another great video Peter, and a joy to see the clockwork mechanism in action! You've really captured some special and historically important footage, and it's great that you are able to share it with us. Like others have said, I wonder how much of the intricate brasswork remains and whether the clockwork mechanism is still in place - I somehow doubt it is. It's also rather unfortunate that this is yet another lighthouse that Trinity House have removed the Fresnel lens from. I hope the lenses and clockworks are stored and preserved somewhere at least.
Absolutely amazing! So beautiful, indeed like stepping back in time - and all that gleaming brass everywhere, wow! Such a shame it's all gone now, even that beautiful lens. All in the name of "progress". I have worked in some very old locations too (on the railways) - sadly all gone too, replaced by someone clicking away on a computer hundreds of kilometers away. It's only a matter of time before all this reliance on modern technology will backfire when it all gives up its ghost... and then we will have to go back to the basics anyway. Shame also that with the disappearance of the old technology, so much knowledge is also being lost.
Thank you very much for your kind comments. Everything changes yes, it's just a crying shame that some people think that we only get there by destroying our past. Sounds like you may have had an interesting life as well, on the railways. Thanks again and stay safe
@@PeterHalil I'm still on the railways but everything is "modern" now - as you rightly say, the past has been destroyed. It's really awful now and the old railway culture is gone. Folks are totally insane now and have no idea how to run trains. Gosh, that makes me sound old... I'm only in my forties... stay safe too and thank you for uploading these fascinating videos! I love lighthouses.
Good question, The simple answer is I don't really know, as I was never on a Station that was still operating with clockwork. I can only assume that it was never allowed to get fully unwound to the bottom of the tube or it would stop, must be something to do with the gearing that keeps it turning whilst being wound .
@@PeterHalil ahhhh you might be right hence the clock having the second hand set to the lens rotation. .so the weight is wound back up while the crank handel also rotates the lens so hand cranking the lens and the weights back up at a set speed. ...
I only worked one clockwork station (Trevose), which was still an oil light at the time. From memory when winding up, which could be done as quick as you liked, there was still tension on the cable so the mechanism kept turning. The speed the lens turned / weight descended was controlled by a governor. I think there may have been a little bell to tell you when fully wound, although I don't remember one on Sark. If the weight reached the bottom of the tube, the lens would stop rotating. I believe the weight would arrive at the bottom with a bit of a bang, but I never experienced that.
@@brianclayton554 Thanks for that Brian it's great to get some proper insider info as when I joined I managed to miss all of that, What have you been doing since the end of our careers? we only met that once in Sark during the making of this video. hope you are staying safe and well, take care.
Thanks, very nice! Haven't seen a can of Brasso like that since I was a young sailor long ago, fond memories now. What did you use for your videos? For 92 the quality is very good. Back then my 1st daughter was born and I bought this JVC that did ok but it was huge, used full size VHS tape.
Brasso was the bane of my life for years. Working in an airport, every damn morning for hours spending our time polishing the hand rails in the arrivals hall to a shine a drill sergeant would weep at. Knowing that nobody cared or even noticed, and that as soon as we opened the doors the rails would be covered in horrible little sticky kid's fingerprints once again, it was an exercise in futility. The worst part was listening to that same thirty second musical loop they'd play over the speakers over and over. I'm glad that place is getting knocked down, just so I'll never have to lay eyes on those cursed hand rails again.
Hi Bender, my 1st camera was a Sanyo (probably a poor mans Sony) my last camera was a Sony and sometimes I used 8mm tape (when I was skint) and when I could afford it I preferred the Hi8 tape, they were all those little cassette tapes, cheers
Peter, did you retire or go on to maintenance tech after '93. I would think automated houses still need maintenance. I don't recall you describing your days after the mid '90s, thanx, Jeff.
No I didn't retire and we never got the option to re train as maintenance techs. I ended up working on an RAF camp, mainly refuelling jets and helicopters, even Prince Williams helicopter.
How much of a difference did it make in day to day work, to be connected to a mains grid, and not having to bring supplies fr four weeks in at the same time?
Yes, no fuel delivered whilst I was there,no engines to check daily. I took lots of my months food with me (basics) and kept topping it up at the shops on the Island. No pumping up fuel etc but lots of cleaning still to do, and it was a brass cleaning station, loads of that. As you were also doing guided tours for the tourists in the afternoon there was still lots of work just a different sort of list of jobs.
It was approx. £250 per week and was quite good compared to other jobs apart from what you would get in the Cities. We were never rich but never poor either, cheers.
If the power fails there is a backup generator, if that fails there is another backup generator, if that fails there are batteries to power the lens, if that fails there is a hand crank. Talk about redundancy!
Can't believe after all this time, these little gems keep on coming.
Thank you Lefroy 1, glad you like them, still more to come before the well runs dry.
@@PeterHalil They're magic, and I reckon Britain's maritime history owes you a debt of gratitude.
I wonder if Royal Museums Greenwich would be intrested in honoring these?
@@lefroy1 Ha Ha, funny you should say that but years ago they wanted everything that I had done and wanted the full copyright for it all which didn't appeal...so people on youtube get it all for free anyway, but at least it will be seen and I don't surrender my copyright.
@@PeterHalil Wow! Well kudos to you for letting us have them for free. I for one, and I'm sure many others, are very greatful for this pefectly paced window into a romantic, and sadly bygone era.
I've been to Sark and Herm. Fabulous islands.
Hi, I really enjoyed my spell on Sark too, a very special place.
I must be a miserable sod, because even before this current world affair this job appeals no end. Watched a huge about of your collection peter, great content cant express enough how lucky we all are for these vids. a real step back in time, I like lighthouses as they stand these days but I know the insides would bore me being to modern. Here you are with life inside when they were manned, BRILLANT STUFF. hope you got an interview Gerry from the needles coming up, or possibly when all this has blown over make a modern interview with him
Hi Minty, just discovered masses of messages on you tube that I didn't get notified about, so sorry with the extreme delay. Thanks for the kind words, and yes there is another Needles trip video coming with automation in progress plus whilst I was there I interviewed Gerry which will come out after the needles one as I shot both on board, stay safe.
Peter Halil that’s fantastic news. More from the needles. I’m sure you will not recall all the times we spoke via here now. But I got in touch with Gerry his replied. I’ve failed to respond yet. But has pointed me in a new direction for the needles pictures. Sadly looks like the archive he looked after has gone miles up north now. So will have to arrange a trip to the new place next year now
Beautiful Lighthouse and Sark...
My dad was a seaman 30+ years (long), and I started to go abroad by sea from my 3 years of age (only) - my mom took me with her to be with dad on ship(s). Has become adult I continue to be a professional seaman (sailor).
Greeting from an ex Seaman.
Thank you for your comments. Your Dad certainly put in plenty of sea time, and nice to see that you followed your Dad to sea also. Take care and safe winds.
The curved cabinet was awesome, carpentry and craftsmanship from a long time ago I'm sure, I remember when I was a small boy running around my grandfather's wood shop, and I can remember my father and grandfather working on a custom built cabinet just like the one in this lighthouse but I live on the east coast and it was for a tower somewhere in Maryland. This would of been in the early 70s and somewhere on the back of these one of a kind pieces would be stamped or burned in the wood the makers proof and his was a Indian chief and it said Pap &Son.This video brought back memories from a long time ago when I seen that old cabinet. I LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS they are excellent.
Hello Keith, glad you like my videos and even more so when it gets to trigger some lovely memories that you've shared. Hope you are well and staying safe, cheers and take care.
Thanks mate, brings back a few memories. I was lucky enough to hide away on Sark for 9 years. Its also nice to see that I was slim once.
Hi Brian, I could have handled being stuck on Sark for 9 years to, hope you are well, stay safe.
Another brill video, more needed in the current climate of self isolation no bother to an ex keeper !! Stay safe Peter
Self isolation is what I've been trained for ! seriously though, if I was still a Keeper it would be another sort of horror to be safe out to sea on a Lighthouse and worrying every day about your Wife and Family at home, stay safe to Tony, cheers.
Lovely video, that gleaming brass, ths whole cared for appearance. Beautiful lens, such craftsmanship, looks super heavy and they floated it on mercury. Automated 1993, I hope it's still in place, but with modern technology probably not, just hope it got saved.
Hi, the lens was dismantled and replaced with a plastic looking LED affair, the big lens has gone into storage somewhere. cheers
No cars, must be quite tranquil on that island. Some lovely photography opportunities there too. I love the pride taken in the brass work. I forgot to mention in my last comment on another video, I visited South Stack also. Very well preserved. The Lister engines still in situ. You must of heard those engines running in your head even when off duty. Take care. Another excellent video.
The Island was peaceful but not just after another boat disgorged its cargo of tourists! Then for next several hours it was mayhem, cycles every where, horse and carts by the dozen, tractors whizzing up and down. Then once the last tourist boat left the Island, peace again.Cheers.
yet another classic film,brings it all back the day trips to sark,nice footage of Trident 3 at the start!great one Peter!
Thank you, glad you liked it and it tweaked the memory buds, stay safe
Great video, lovely to see the old clock mechanism, really interesting, thanks for sharing it with us.
Interesting vlog Peter,thanks.more please😁👍👏👏👏
A beautiful mechanical movement and lens. I sincerely hope they get preserved somehow....
Me too, it would be a shame to just put it into storage, take care.
Just found your channel. Very interesting! Excellent videos!
Thank you for that, glad you like them, stay safe.
Peter Halil 👍 I’ll definitely try to! You as well!
Hi Peter I worked on Tugs on the River thames down in the engine room and part of the job was cleaning the brass and copper and found that an old woolen sock was best to put the Bluebell on and a soft cloth to polish, Thanks for the Vlog .
PS I like the shorts !!!!??.
Cheers for that info, the sock and bluebell, not the shorts LOL I'm glad I edited the shorts clip now, take care, stay safe. Tugs on the Thames sounds interesting.
We did a lot of brass polishing too in my early days on the Railways , taps and lamps .
Ha Ha, black fingers and the stink of brasso! Take care and stay safe.
Now that looks like it would have been a wonderful place to work even in the Winter. Great as always Peter and stay safe.
You too Stephen, yes Sark is one of those gems of a place, the Islanders were great too.
Another fabulous video, thanks so much. Always find your films very relaxing, particularly during these times.
Thank you Rob, hope you are hunkering down and staying safe, cheers
Hi, Peter another superb video, it brings back happy memories, intoxicated tractor drivers ( yes even mid morning ) a cold swim in the Venus pool a quick look in The Seigneurs garden it was forty four years since I was there, it looked a bit busier on the video than it was in 1976. I didn't hear it on the video, but I remember a gas engine or very slow running diesel thumping away somewhere in the middle of the village powering the islands electricity generator, probably long gone by now, might even have been in1992 when you were there, a beautiful island, and not a bad looking lighthouse, 😉up to the usual a Trinity House standard, Brasso consumption must have plummeted when lighthouses were automated, it must be idyllic living there you were very lucky getting a posting there, enough rambling, back to covid19 isolation, more videos please, take care.
David Clark.
Hi David, yes the generator was still there when I visited, you've got some great memories there. When I stated doing this video record, I approached Trinity House to use and abuse me in regards sending me to replace Keepers to cover sickies etc, the rest I used up lots of my leave (Holidays) to do.Lots of Lighthouses offered me a bed for the night to enable me to video those, others I slept in my car!..my body was younger then! LOL, stay safe, cheers.
I can’t get over the beautiful lens! Wow! Beautiful island too. I bet you can hear yourself think. It seems so peaceful. As always, thank you so much for sharing. Takes me away from the current madness for a bit.
Yes Sark is magical, but the madness has managed to scare them into closing the Island to visitors at the moment, everybody is bunkering down, well apart from several inconsiderates that are in denial. Take care, stay safe.
Peter Halil Might be smart for them to temporarily keep visitors out. Thank you. You take care too.
bril vid, very informative 😊 it gave such a "we are there" feel (like all peters vids) not many can do that!
on a less serious note, i was shocked to not see the great hole in the middle of sark... the sark chassam (sorry, couldnt resist!) ok so that could be thr caves under the cliffs!!
Thank you Geoff for the kind words, much appreciated. Ha Ha!, there is a "Hole in the Rock", which I did visit and did film, but apparently was some of the age damaged footage that was lost. Thanks again, take care and stay safe.
Another great, thank you Peter. Apart from all the different equipment and machinery that would have been unique to certain locations and/or designs of Lighthouses, I am always fascinated by the old wooden wall units, cabinets and other original furniture in the towers and accommodations. Such a shame they were often removed. I could find a home for some of it haha. Winding that mechanism reminded me of winding the big old memorial clock on the Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood. One of my jobs there - 1975 ish.
THE YELLOW DIAMOND. ©
The yellow diamond, made of many facets, for the eye to see;
casts it's beauty through the storm, and out to sea.
And like the priceless value placed on jewels;
the same is true of lighthouses, everywhere;
and forms the Mariners rules.
The light and beauty of this yellow diamond;
casts a warning, from the edge of land.
And as the multi-facets reflect the light, so true;
it lifts the heart, and saves the lives of crew.
So, when you see the light from Sark;
warning of the dangers, amid the dark.
Remember then, this yellow jewel;
and Mariners, must heed the ancient rule.
BY JACK D. HARRISON.
23-MARCH-2020.
(Inspired by this TH-cam video by former Lighthouse Keeper, Peter Halil).
Cheers Jack, yes I would have loved one of those curved cupboards myself, not to be I'm afraid. Winding the Memorial clock sounds interesting, stay safe.
@@PeterHalil You too. Yes, along with the bells, it formed part of a Great War memorial.
Peter, thank you this is wonderful. We stayed as guests in the lighthouse in Summer 2014 - it was a memorable experience and many of the features in the accommodation area had not changed since your film as shot. It was an experience i will never forget. The BBC did a series of written memoirs from the last lighthouse keeper who served here - I hope they are still available on the BBC website for anyone who is interested. Thanks again.
Thank you Rob for the kind words. Glad that you were able to experience some of what I and all the Keepers before and after did. Not only the Island but the Lighthouse is rather special. I shall have to try and hunt down those memoirs you've mentioned, thanks. Take care and stay safe.
@@PeterHalil Peter at the time the accommodation was being leased to an extraordinary gentleman who was a blind Barrister who I had the pleasure to talk to over the phone on several occasions. I presume his lease came to an end in the late 2010s as I have recently seen an advert for a lease for a very much refurbished accommodation. I found Sark to be an enchanting place - if you can't locate the BBC archive material i believe i have kept hard copy which i could send to you. It must have been a sad end when they de-manned the lighthouse (and many others). Local rumour has it that during the occupation the German army locked errant soldiers in the outdoor store house, although when we were there it wouldn't have taken much to escape so ot might just be popular wartime folklore! Kind regards. RL.
@@roblever1030 Thanks Rob, I was only on Sark for the one Month to cover for an absent Keeper so don't know more than you on that POW History bit, sounds good though. Yes it was a shock of sorts when we were all put out to pasture! One of the Keepers I was on Sark with had been posted there for 12 years and the other about 8, so that must have hurt to leave such a place, thanks again and stay safe.
Wow, I almost feel like I've been on holiday after watching that! Thanks, Peter! =)
Thank you, where I can I try to include the local life, as it was part of the Keepers Life, stay safe
Wow, that was very interesting Peter! Thank you for that! An amazing experience to be able to look inside, not every day that people get that chance!
Thank you for that, glad you enjoyed the video, take care
I absolutely love your videos!
Thank you very much, take care now
Greetings from from Self Isolating New Zealand, (no escape, not even down here). Thanks for another excellent video Peter
Stay safe pairojeans, crazy scary times, glad you liked the video.
I’m loving your channel!!! Discovered by looking at a film about an Icelandic lighthouse. Fantastic way of life. Perfect for isolating during the coronavirus!!! Also lovely way of life too.
Thank you for that, yes it was one of those think outside the box jobs, brilliant job, take care and stay safe.
Peter Halil You too.
I saw 7 dolphins there last week by Grande Moie (the rock just offshore from the lighthouse). Shame the lens has been replaced by an LED. Lovely island, worth a visit.
Thank you for that Mate. Dolphins, I never saw anything but constant small boats when I was there. I would like to re visit the Island, sad about the lens being replaced, cheers and stay safe
Another great video Peter, and a joy to see the clockwork mechanism in action! You've really captured some special and historically important footage, and it's great that you are able to share it with us.
Like others have said, I wonder how much of the intricate brasswork remains and whether the clockwork mechanism is still in place - I somehow doubt it is.
It's also rather unfortunate that this is yet another lighthouse that Trinity House have removed the Fresnel lens from. I hope the lenses and clockworks are stored and preserved somewhere at least.
Thank you, I did hear a while back somewhere that the lens was in storage but nothing mentioned about the clockwork, stay safe.
still one of the best lighthouses in Trinity house in my humble non experienced opinion :-)
Yes a very pretty Lighthouse on a wonderful Island.
Great video. Thank You.
Thank you Agharta, stay safe.
Absolutely amazing! So beautiful, indeed like stepping back in time - and all that gleaming brass everywhere, wow!
Such a shame it's all gone now, even that beautiful lens. All in the name of "progress". I have worked in some very old locations too (on the railways) - sadly all gone too, replaced by someone clicking away on a computer hundreds of kilometers away.
It's only a matter of time before all this reliance on modern technology will backfire when it all gives up its ghost... and then we will have to go back to the basics anyway. Shame also that with the disappearance of the old technology, so much knowledge is also being lost.
Thank you very much for your kind comments. Everything changes yes, it's just a crying shame that some people think that we only get there by destroying our past. Sounds like you may have had an interesting life as well, on the railways. Thanks again and stay safe
@@PeterHalil I'm still on the railways but everything is "modern" now - as you rightly say, the past has been destroyed. It's really awful now and the old railway culture is gone. Folks are totally insane now and have no idea how to run trains. Gosh, that makes me sound old... I'm only in my forties... stay safe too and thank you for uploading these fascinating videos! I love lighthouses.
What kept the lens turning while it was being wound back up?
Good question, The simple answer is I don't really know, as I was never on a Station that was still operating with clockwork. I can only assume that it was never allowed to get fully unwound to the bottom of the tube or it would stop, must be something to do with the gearing that keeps it turning whilst being wound .
@@PeterHalil ahhhh you might be right hence the clock having the second hand set to the lens rotation. .so the weight is wound back up while the crank handel also rotates the lens so hand cranking the lens and the weights back up at a set speed. ...
I only worked one clockwork station (Trevose), which was still an oil light at the time. From memory when winding up, which could be done as quick as you liked, there was still tension on the cable so the mechanism kept turning. The speed the lens turned / weight descended was controlled by a governor. I think there may have been a little bell to tell you when fully wound, although I don't remember one on Sark. If the weight reached the bottom of the tube, the lens would stop rotating. I believe the weight would arrive at the bottom with a bit of a bang, but I never experienced that.
@@brianclayton554 Thanks for that Brian it's great to get some proper insider info as when I joined I managed to miss all of that, What have you been doing since the end of our careers? we only met that once in Sark during the making of this video. hope you are staying safe and well, take care.
Thanks, very nice! Haven't seen a can of Brasso like that since I was a young sailor long ago, fond memories now. What did you use for your videos? For 92 the quality is very good. Back then my 1st daughter was born and I bought this JVC that did ok but it was huge, used full size VHS tape.
Brasso was the bane of my life for years. Working in an airport, every damn morning for hours spending our time polishing the hand rails in the arrivals hall to a shine a drill sergeant would weep at. Knowing that nobody cared or even noticed, and that as soon as we opened the doors the rails would be covered in horrible little sticky kid's fingerprints once again, it was an exercise in futility. The worst part was listening to that same thirty second musical loop they'd play over the speakers over and over.
I'm glad that place is getting knocked down, just so I'll never have to lay eyes on those cursed hand rails again.
Hi Bender, my 1st camera was a Sanyo (probably a poor mans Sony) my last camera was a Sony and sometimes I used 8mm tape (when I was skint) and when I could afford it I preferred the Hi8 tape, they were all those little cassette tapes, cheers
Peter, did you retire or go on to maintenance tech after '93. I would think automated houses still need maintenance. I don't recall you describing your days after the mid '90s, thanx, Jeff.
No I didn't retire and we never got the option to re train as maintenance techs. I ended up working on an RAF camp, mainly refuelling jets and helicopters, even Prince Williams helicopter.
Thanks for the demonstration of the clockwork mechanism. Would the light stop rotating during the winding?
Hi, no the light doesn't stop working whilst winding, it keeps turning, cheers
Peaceful.
How much of a difference did it make in day to day work, to be connected to a mains grid, and not having to bring supplies fr four weeks in at the same time?
Yes, no fuel delivered whilst I was there,no engines to check daily. I took lots of my months food with me (basics) and kept topping it up at the shops on the Island. No pumping up fuel etc but lots of cleaning still to do, and it was a brass cleaning station, loads of that. As you were also doing guided tours for the tourists in the afternoon there was still lots of work just a different sort of list of jobs.
How was the pay compared to other jobs during the 80s,90s before automation?
It was approx. £250 per week and was quite good compared to other jobs apart from what you would get in the Cities. We were never rich but never poor either, cheers.
Ok.ayam.kaming
If the power fails there is a backup generator, if that fails there is another backup generator, if that fails there are batteries to power the lens, if that fails there is a hand crank. Talk about redundancy!