Killingholme

Killingholme is on the Lincolnshire side of the banks of the River Humber.

The High light was built in 1836 and rebuilt in 1876. It was 15 metres high and showed a fixed white bright light.

In 1845 some shipmasters reported that the small differential in height between the High and Low light caused observational problems so the high light was raised an additional 6 metres.

Later, to make the high light more distinguishable it was painted red and in a report of 1860, it was stated that it was now 25 metres high ( and still painted red).

Fifteen years later on June 4th 1875 the lighthouse was struck by lightning resulting in part of the lantern dome being ripped off. Although it was repairable, it was recommended that the lighthouse be taken down and rebuilt.

The Low light was also built in 1836 at 14 metres high on a piece of land 400 metres square. It showed a fixed white bright light burning pale rape oil.

In 1860 to make the low light more distinguishable it was painted white. With the formation of the Humber Conservancy Board in 1908 the lighthouses were transferred from Trinity House at Hull to the Humber Conservancy Board and today the lights sit in the grounds of the oil refinery and still exhibit a light.

The keeper’s cottage has long since gone but the tell tale scars can be seen on the lighthouse wall indicating where it was once attached.