Red alert

Probably the most famous lighthouse-shipwreck happened in 1838, when the paddle sailed north from Hull to Dundee. Reaching St Abb's Head in Berwickshire, her engines failed and she sought shelter behind the Farne Islands. Two days later, she ran aground on Big Harcar and was spotted by Grace Darling, the daughter of the keeper of Long-stone Lighthouse, which stood about a mile away. The Darlings set off in their rowing boat, rescuing as many of the survivors as they could find. Longstone had been built in 1826 for just this kind of eventuality; it is only accessible by boat and tours can be arranged.