Sad day in Orford.

[phatcat1]

We sailed up to Southwold on Saturday and a large crane was making its way onto the Ness from Aldeburgh with a Hymac making good the ground in front of it. Sailing back down on Tuesday it was halfway to the Ness. Yesterday the crane arrived at the Orford Ness lighthouse!

We learnt yesterday from the HM that it is part of the demolition team that are here to demolish the lighthouse. Very sad. The company have a team and vehicles already on site. There was talk that the top would be removed and saved, but the crane doesn’t look tall enough to lift the top clear.

When we came by, the shingle has scoured away from the east side revealing the lighthouse foundations, so would be one good storm away from collapse.

a beautiful landmark will soon be lost - what am I going to aim at going North or South?

EDIT: the crane has been extended today and now reaches over the lighthouse.

 

[phatcat1]

UPDATE:
Today (Thursday) The lantern has now been removed. See bad picture from the phone.

 

[johnalison]

Sad but inevitable I suppose. Navigation will have to be by one of my rough-sailing methods. If you pass a lobster pot (coming south) turn ten degrees to port. if you see another one, turn a further ten. If you haven't seen a pot for ten minutes, turn ten degrees to starboard, and so on. When a ship just misses you, you are at Harwich.

 

[Old Harry]

Waving goodbye to a coastal landmark

 

[Yorkshire Exile]

Sad but inevitable I suppose. Navigation will have to be by one of my rough-sailing methods. If you pass a lobster pot (coming south) turn ten degrees to port. if you see another one, turn a further ten. If you haven't seen a pot for ten minutes, turn ten degrees to starboard, and so on. When a ship just misses you, you are at Harwich.

Obsessive precision.

 

[Aquaboy]

They took the top off!

BTW it was bloody windy, (S/E) sure it wasn't meant to be......

 

[Aquaboy]

Oops..... I attached it twice