Burnham-on-Sea Low Lighthouse

The Low Lighthouse showed a narrow fixed beam of white light from the lightroom on the upper floor, through a 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) square window on the west side of the structure. Together, the High and Low Lighthouses functioned as leading lights, guiding vessels into the entrance channel for the River Parrett (the narrow entrance channel to the river lay between extensive mud flats: Berrow Flats to the north, Stert Flats to the south).[10] The Low light had a range of 12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi), and beyond the narrow entrance channel the leading lights served in addition to provide a safe line of approach for vessels navigating up the Bristol Channel from the direction of Hurlstone Point and Minehead.[12]

In April 1844, Trinity House issued a notice warning that the Gore Sand (at the southernmost tip of Berrow Flats) had extended itself in a southerly direction to such an extent that the two lighthouses in line no longer indicated the deep water channel between the mud flats.[12] From 1 November 1866, the Low light was provided with an additional red light which shone a narrow beam in the direction of Gore Sand; at the same time, another red light was added (shining upriver from a window on the south side) to help guide vessels leaving the River Parrett.[13]

When electricity was brought to Burnham in 1927 a 1000-watt incandescent light bulb was installed in each lighthouse (replacing the paraffin vapour burners then in use) which rendered the keepers redundant. A submarine cable was laid between the two lighthouses and the characteristics of the two lights were synchronised (being controlled by a 'motor driven character machine' installed in the High lighthouse, which controlled both light circuits together).[14] Both lights were given an occulting characteristic, the Low light occulting every 2.5 seconds, the High light every 5 seconds.[14] In each location the lamp was set within a sectional fixed optic, backed by a dioptric mirror.[15] An automatic lamp changer was provided: in the event of a lamp failure the spare bulb was brought into operation and if it also failed an acetylene lamp would be automatically lit.[16] Following automation, the Low light had a range of 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi), the High light 15 nmi (28 km; 17 mi). The Low light retained its red sectors.[17]

From 1969, in addition to the main light, a subsidiary sector light was shown from a lower window in the High Lighthouse to indicate the correct bearing for the deep-water channel. This rendered the Low lighthouse surplus to requirements and it was deactivated that same year. On 31 December 1993, however, the High lighthouse was itself, in turn, deactivated; its flashing white light and subsidiary sector light were both transferred to the Low lighthouse, which was thereby brought back into commission.[18]

Today, the Low Lighthouse has a focal plane of 7 metres (23 ft) and provides a white flash every 7.5s, plus a fixed directional light (white, red, or green depending on direction) at a focal plane of 4 m (13 ft).[8] It is operated by Sedgemoor District Council.[19]