The Great Exhibition, Crystal Palace, 1851: James Chance, of the glass-making firm Chance Brothers, is nervously showcasing a new lens, that, unknown to him, will revolutionise lighthouse production, propel his family business into a position of world leadership, save countless lives and have far-reaching consequences for trade, empire and the map of the world.This is where "Lighthouses" begins. The true-life story that follows is of one man and his family's unexpected role in an exciting race to perfect this technology, against European rivals and colleagues, as they strive to regain for Britain the leadership position she had lost to the French in the 1820s.This fascinating story places James Chance and the Chance Brothers firm against the backdrop of a time in which lighthouse manufacture was transformed from a craft into a scientific, high-precision industry. As a tool for globalisation, and with immense strategic and economic value, lighthouses helped to establish a network of communications that transformed the trade maps of countries and empires.
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Toby Chance is James Chance's great-great-grandson and grandson of Sir Hugh Chance, the last Chairman of an independent Chance Brothers. Toby works in event management and communications and has spent the past three years researching the family history. Peter Williams is the author of the bestselling book Beacon on the Rock (2001). He has served at sea and was the founder of the lighthouse enthusiast magazine Leading Lights, which he continues to work with as consultant editor. Peter maintains a personal link with lighthouses as a Trinity House attendant for a Welsh lighthouse, which still uses a first order Chance lens, fitted in 1868.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By TerryK
Format:Hardcover
This is very in depth book, not only on Chance Bros significant contribution to modern day lighthouse safety but covers early day maritime safety in a build up to Chance Bros becoming the leaders in lighthouse optics. It shows competitiveness being strong between countries in wanting to be masters of illumination with Chance Bros excelling. It is a must read for those interested in maritime history and should be available in school/general libraries.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Kwame J
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very encyclopedic, more of a ledger than telling the story. Not what I had hoped for. A very, very dull read. Coming from the coast and familiar with the sea I do have a keen interest. I once visited a working light house and, as strange as it may seem, I find this a fascinating subject. I gave up on this book at about page 15.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Black
Format:Hardcover
Especially when read with other works of fiction and non-fiction that address Victorian enterprise and energy, this book makes for illuminating (pun intended!) and sometimes surprising reading.
Chance's point is very salient that the huge increase in tonnage shipped around the world in the century between James Chance's birth (1814) and the outbreak of the First World War, was possible in no small part only because the treacherous coastlines of the world were better lit: many, if not the majority of them, using lenses supplied by Chance Bros. Glassworks.
The final chapters, charting the great seatrade routes and the lighting up thereof, made, for this unscientific reviewer, the most interesting reading. However, those who apply their minds to the scientific and historic detail Mr. Chance supplies, not to mention the accounts of the professional Victorian skullduggery that sometimes went on, will find this a most absorbing read.
Chance's point is very salient that the huge increase in tonnage shipped around the world in the century between James Chance's birth (1814) and the outbreak of the First World War, was possible in no small part only because the treacherous coastlines of the world were better lit: many, if not the majority of them, using lenses supplied by Chance Bros. Glassworks.
The final chapters, charting the great seatrade routes and the lighting up thereof, made, for this unscientific reviewer, the most interesting reading. However, those who apply their minds to the scientific and historic detail Mr. Chance supplies, not to mention the accounts of the professional Victorian skullduggery that sometimes went on, will find this a most absorbing read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
How could a shell-back find his way inthe dark
Lighthouses: The race to Illuminate the world
by Toby Chance.
Lighthouses were an investment, every time a vessel passed them they were obliged to pay... Read more
by Toby Chance.
Lighthouses were an investment, every time a vessel passed them they were obliged to pay... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by M. H. Tunstall-behrens
5.0 out of 5 stars
Victorian Enterprise
This book is a fascinating historical look inside the science and evolution of lighthouses and the optics that they use, largely seen through the eyes of the English family that... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2008 by David Santa
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