1915-2017. Hale lighthouse, a landmark on the river Mersey that I can see from outside my house on a clear day, standing alone where the southernmost part of Merseyside faces the river. Originally a bathing house stood here at Hale point, but a busy maritime era at a time when hundreds of ships were using the water to supply goods each day to and from Liverpool meant that it was converted into a lighthouse in 1838, which was then extended to the current larger tower in 1906 that could be seen from as far as 40 miles away. Eventually the Manchester Ship canal became a safer and more reliable choice for the larger modern ships, and the lighthouse was no longer required by 1958 when it was decommissioned. The original lenses and main light unit can be seen today in the maritime museum at the Albert Dock.