100WC Week 3 - Tragedy

The waves crashed down; shattering, collapsing and unfurling. The weather had not been predicted, they were not prepared, Sarah and her Father; to be stranded… it had been a treacherous winter already. Now this storm was preventing them from getting the basics they needed to eat and survive. 

This was all becoming too much the lack of food on top of the tragedy which had occurred the previous day. Sarah had helplessly watched as her dog and companion and been swept up in a wave and dragged out to sea, she looked on as Benjy sank down, down, down into deep, green waves. She felt her heart sink as he did.

100WC Week 3 - Sinking

There was a dark dense smog forming in the sky as I struggled to steer the ship in the mad, furious, violent sea. The storm was so strong, like nothing I have ever experienced before. I could feel the boat squeaking and creaking, with every move the sides threatening to collapse. Beneath me I could hear screams of panic, ear piercing screams chorusing the same thing "we're all going to die!" and "let's jump for it, we've got no hope". I could make out the sound of people rushing to the top deck and with a splash they were gone...

100WC Week 3 - Farne Island

It was a cold, dreary night on the 7th September and the calming, peaceful view from the lighthouse was distorted as Grace looked out of the window. The sky was full of emotions as the wind began to rage and the clouds rolled in heavily. Grace felt the rain’s presence as she listened to the roaring sea. A crescendo of waves that roared; rose; ranted and raved. The tempestuous waves were surging, swelling and colliding. Suddenly the shudder, the stumble, the swerve of a boat could be seen from afar. The beautiful coastline along the Farne Islands was soon to be no more…

100WC Week 3 - Tsunami

He had known for hours that it was coming. Earlier on, the radio had announced that an Earthquake, miles below the Atlantic Ocean had created a tsunami. It would take five hours to reach Ireland. Bravely the lighthouse keeper had stayed in his cabin to keep the last few cargo ships safe.
Looking out of the top window, he saw the wave coming – powerful, controlling, dangerous and fierce.
As he braced himself for impact, his life flashed before his eyes. Had he done the right thing? Too late to leave now! He had known for hours that it was coming…

100WC Week 3 - Survival!

Without warning, the sky darkens! Thunder roars, lightning flashes and the wind whistles. Waves roar, crash and collide against my tiny wooden boat. Beating rain sweeping onto my face, I hold on for dear life. In the distance, a faint glow from a lighthouse is shining on the dark, rough sea. Will anyone see me? Will anyone come? Will anyone rescue me? As night falls, with no rescue imminent, devastating realization kicks in. There is nothing beyond the water except the profound discouragement of the sky. Eventually the storm breaks… I survived. The boat is battered and bruised. So am I.

100WC Week 3 - The Lonely Lighthouse

Like a predator preparing to pounce on their prey, the mighty ripples of ocean suck back inhaling the night air. Then...smash! Smashing fiercely against the rocks, the waves roar at anything in their path. Destruction, devastation and disaster mark the place of attack (the once beautiful coastline). Bravely watching the twilight storm-at the edge of the rocks-stands a lonely lighthouse. All alone with nothing but the cloudy air for company, the once burning source of light now dimly flickers through the sprays of water...weakly flickers through the misty air...flickers in hope of comforting companion.

100WC Week 3 - Lighthouse Facts

Did you know the very first lighthouses often occurred naturally? Sailors occasionally used landmarks (like glowing volcanoes) to guide them around the coasts. Eventually it was realized how useful it would be to position man made lighthouses as warning signals – wooden boats were easy prey for sharp, submerged and jagged rocks.

One of the most impressive lighthouses was the stunning Pharos of Alexandria. According to written records, it was tall… incredibly tall (the height of a 45-story skyscraper)! Perched atop it was an open fire – a bright, searing and scorching source of light.

Consequently, people studying lighthouses are called Pharologists.