The Mariner's Beacon Traditional Geocache
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The Mariner’s Beacon
The Mariner’s Beacon is located on Column Road, at the summit of
Caldy Hill on the Wirral peninsula. It was commissioned by the
Trustees of Liverpool Docks, and was unveiled on 16th April 1841
with the foundation stone being laid by John Shaw Leigh Esquire
(owner of the land, who also granted the stone for its erection).
Its purpose was as a sighting line for vessels entering the Mersey,
replacing a windmill that had previously guided mariners coming
into the river.
It is a colossal classical Doric column, over 20m tall, made of red
sandstone standing on a two stepped square base. It is surmounted
by a square capital that is itself capped by a series of blocks
that form a neck for a large sandstone orb with a single horizontal
carved band. The first step of the base is topped by a more recent
iron fence that has been painted black. This prohibits access to
the second step and column. A lightning conductor runs the height
of the column and base. A rod can be seen at the top of the orb. At
the front of the base on the south side is a millstone.
The views from the column are stunning, not just of the River Dee,
but also the Welsh hills. In my opinion they are some of the best
views in the UK, and without doubt the best time to visit, is on a
calm summer’s evening, as the sun sets in the west.
Please bring your own pencil, as you can’t sign the log without
one, and if you don’t sign the log you can’t claim a find
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Abar hagvy nsgre SGS