TOWER OF REFUGE, DOUGLAS BAY, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.

THE TOWER OF REFUGE, ALSO KNOWN AS ST. MARY’S ISLE, IS A SMALL STRUCTURE ERECTED UPON A PARTIALLY SUBMERGED GRANITE REEF, ORIGINALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF OFFERING SHELTER TO SHIPWRECK VICTIMS UNTIL HELP COULD ARRIVE.

SITUATED IN DOUGLAS BAY, THE TOWER CAME INTO BEING AFTER RNLI FOUNDER WILLIAM HILLARY PETITIONED FOR A SANCTUARY TO BE BUILT ON ST MARY'S ISLE. A PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PLUS £78 OF SIR WILLIAM'S OWN MONEY MET THE BUILDING COSTS OF £250. TOWER OF REFUGE WAS COMPLETED IN 1832 AND IS 12.5 METERS HIGH AND 52 METERS AROUND ITS CIRCUMFERENCE.

THE REEF ON WHICH IT IS BUILT WAS PREVIOUSLY OFTEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE AND SINKING OF SHIPS AND SO THE TOWER PROVIDED BOTH A VISIBLE WARNING FOR INCOMING SHIPS AND A REFUGE FOR THOSE IN DISTRESS.

THE TOWER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HOWEVER ACCESS IS DIFFICULT DUE TO ITS LOCATION. WHEN THE TIDE IS LOW ENOUGH, IT IS A POPULAR ACTIVITY TO VENTURE OUT IN THE BAY TO THE TOWER. VISITORS DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND MUST BE AWARE OF RISING TIDES TO AVOID BECOMING STRANDED.

THE TOWER OF REFUGE ALSO FEATURES ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF AN ISLE OF MAN 5 PENCE COIN.

 

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