History of the Fylde of LancashirePorter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
History
History of the Fylde of Lancashire
Porter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
Lancashire (England) -- History
The two lighthouses, one of which is placed in Pharos Street and the
other further north, on the margin of the beach, were also in existence
in 1841, having been erected a short time previously. The former is a
tall circular column of painted stone, having an altitude of about 90
feet above high-water mark. The base of the column is square, each of
the sides being 12 feet high and 20 broad. The focus of the lantern is
104 feet above half-tide level, and outside the reflector is a narrow,
circular, stone gallery, guarded by an iron fencing. The cost of the
column was £1,480. The other lighthouse is much smaller, and stands on a
slightly elevated plot of ground. Each side of its base forms a recess,
furnished with seats, and supported above by round stone pillars. The
centre of the lantern is 44 feet above half-tide level. The whole fabric,
which is built throughout of finely cut stone, was erected at a cost of
£1,375.
We have now reviewed the general appearance of the town in 1841,
including brief accounts of all the more important buildings, but
accidentally omitting to state that gas works were amongst the early
erections, and before proceeding with the history of its further progress
and increase, it will be convenient to revert for a moment to the railway
and matters connected with it, leaving, however, the harbour, wharf,
and shipping for separate examination towards the later pages of the
chapter. The railway, consisting of a single line throughout the whole
extent, was carried over a portion of the estuary of the Wyre, along an
embankment and viaduct of huge wooden piles, running from Burn Naze to
the west extremity of the wharf at Fleetwood, near to which the station
is situated. In 1846 the traffic, both in passengers and goods, had
increased so rapidly that the directors determined to have a double line
without delay. Instructions for that purpose were accordingly issued to
the engineer of the company, and at the same time he was directed that,
in order to afford space and facilities for the construction of the
proposed docks to the westward of the existing railway piling, the double
line should diverge at Burn Naze, run round the Cops, and terminate as
before. The programme here stated was not fully carried out, and the
double line extended only as far as Burn Naze, from which point a single
line ran along a semicircular embankment, lying west of the old one, to
the terminus at Fleetwood.[84] This embankment was the means of rescuing
from the incursions of the tide about 400 acres of marsh land, which has
since by drainage and cultivation been converted into excellent pastures
and productive fields. The entire line was leased, under acts of 1846,
to the Lancashire and Yorkshire and London and North Western Railway
companies, the former taking two thirds and the latter one third of the
profits or losses. The terms agreed upon were a rent of £7 1s. 6d. per
cent., and £1 15s. 4½d. per share on a total capital of £668,000, until
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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