Baily previously the scene of change in 1810
Frank Pelly
PRIOR to 1810 most Irish lighthouses were the statutory
responsibility of the Commissioners of Customs who contracted out
the management and operation of the lighthouses to the lowest
bidder.
When responsibility for lighthouses was transferred to the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin, the Corporation found them generally to be poorly supervised, the stations' upkeep neglected, and the Keepers poorly paid and accommodated. In particular, there were no operational standards in place.
The Corporation quickly identified its priorities: establishment of its corporate independence; control and management to be placed under its own officials; construction of new stations at locations which the trade had long petitioned for; re-equipment of existing stations; and the creation of uniform standards of conduct, operational procedures, discipline, pay and living conditions for Keepers. This and more was achieved by 1820 but not without it affecting some individuals.
In December 1810 the Corporation informed the contractor Thomas Rogers that they were not renewing his contract for the maintenance of Baily Lighthouse and that no compensation would be paid. Other station management contracts were phased out over the next few years. Responsibility was thereafter placed in the hands of the Board's officials and staff.
Under the new regime Keepers fared better. George Halpin (Snr) was appointed Inspector of Lighthouses. Prior to the commissioning of the new Baily Lighthouse in 1814, Halpin recommended that those Keepers who were set in the old methods or, because of age, were beyond training in the operation of the new apparatus should be retired on full pay as their stations were upgraded. Michael Wishart, who had been transferred from South Rock to Baily Lighthouse, was appointed Instructor of new Lightkeepers, for which he was allowed an additional £30 per annum. Halpin recommended that -
'none of those who may be instructed by [Wishart] shall be considered capable, or be appointed to the care of any Light House before they shall have received the Principal Lightkeeper's Certificate that they are properly instructed in the management of the New Apparatus Lights and that their conduct may be otherwise approved of . . .'
The Board accepted Halpin's recommendations. On 6th April 1814 Edward White, Keeper Baily, and James Hazley, Keeper Copeland, were both informed that from the 1st July following their services as Lightkeepers would not be required. They thus became the first Keepers to be pensioned. Salaries for Keepers trained in new system were Principal Keeper £70 and Assistant Keeper £50 per annum. All old method trained Keepers who were retained stayed at their pre-1810 salary.
With the completion of the lighthouse automation programme in March 1997 history has repeated itself. The Baily was the focal point on both occasions.
© F. J. Pelly, 1997.
When responsibility for lighthouses was transferred to the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin, the Corporation found them generally to be poorly supervised, the stations' upkeep neglected, and the Keepers poorly paid and accommodated. In particular, there were no operational standards in place.
The Corporation quickly identified its priorities: establishment of its corporate independence; control and management to be placed under its own officials; construction of new stations at locations which the trade had long petitioned for; re-equipment of existing stations; and the creation of uniform standards of conduct, operational procedures, discipline, pay and living conditions for Keepers. This and more was achieved by 1820 but not without it affecting some individuals.
In December 1810 the Corporation informed the contractor Thomas Rogers that they were not renewing his contract for the maintenance of Baily Lighthouse and that no compensation would be paid. Other station management contracts were phased out over the next few years. Responsibility was thereafter placed in the hands of the Board's officials and staff.
Under the new regime Keepers fared better. George Halpin (Snr) was appointed Inspector of Lighthouses. Prior to the commissioning of the new Baily Lighthouse in 1814, Halpin recommended that those Keepers who were set in the old methods or, because of age, were beyond training in the operation of the new apparatus should be retired on full pay as their stations were upgraded. Michael Wishart, who had been transferred from South Rock to Baily Lighthouse, was appointed Instructor of new Lightkeepers, for which he was allowed an additional £30 per annum. Halpin recommended that -
'none of those who may be instructed by [Wishart] shall be considered capable, or be appointed to the care of any Light House before they shall have received the Principal Lightkeeper's Certificate that they are properly instructed in the management of the New Apparatus Lights and that their conduct may be otherwise approved of . . .'
The Board accepted Halpin's recommendations. On 6th April 1814 Edward White, Keeper Baily, and James Hazley, Keeper Copeland, were both informed that from the 1st July following their services as Lightkeepers would not be required. They thus became the first Keepers to be pensioned. Salaries for Keepers trained in new system were Principal Keeper £70 and Assistant Keeper £50 per annum. All old method trained Keepers who were retained stayed at their pre-1810 salary.
With the completion of the lighthouse automation programme in March 1997 history has repeated itself. The Baily was the focal point on both occasions.
© F. J. Pelly, 1997.