The rocks around the Scilly Isles caused the wreck of many ships over the years.
So in 1847, it was decided to erect a screw-pile lighthouse at a cost of 12,000.
Within two years the structure was complete and all that was required was a lighting apparatus.
James Walker shrugged off the news and this time turned to the idea of a granite tower.
It was a dangerous task, becase the sea was rough and the island too small.
After seven years labour the tower was finally completed in 1858.
Today there are generators and batteries and a helipad was built in 1976.
Bishop Rock was converted to automatic operation in 1991 and the last keepers left the lighthouse in December 1992.
Sources:Wikipedia,Trinityhouse,BBC,Westcountrywalks
