3-070-967 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Calf-Rock Lighthouse, Bantry Bay, destroyed by the late storm, 1881. Engraving of a sketch by Mr. V. H. Fitzgibbon. 'On the south-west coast of Ireland, at the farthest extremity of the county of Cork, a mountainous peninsula stretches into the Atlantic Ocean...Beyond Dursey Island, quite out at sea, rises the Calf Rock. with its lighthouse, which has been partially destroyed by the recent storms; and where six men have remained, during some days past, exposed to the severest privations, and to the inclemency of terribly rough weather, and imperfectly supplied with means of shelter, clothing, food, and fuel. It was impossible, with the continued south-west gale, to get alongside the Calf Rock for the rescue of these poor fellows. They have been enabled, however, to receive a small amount of supplies from the boats which approached within a short distance, bringing mattresses and bed-clothes inclosed in air-tight india-rubber bags, and one bag of provisions - mutton and bread...We may hope that before the end of the present week the lighthouse men will have been relieved, and their story will then be more completely related'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.