BEACONS are also marks and signs erected on the coasts, for guiding and preserving vessels at sea, by night as well as by day.
The erection of beacons, light-houses, and sea-marks, is a branch of the royal prerogative. The king hath the exclusive power, by commission under his great seal, to cause them to be erected in fit and convenient places, as well upon the lands of the subject as upon the demesnes of the crown: which power is usually vested by
VOL. III. Part II.
letters patent in the office of lord high admiral. And by statute 8 Eliz. c. 13. the corporation of the Trinity-house are empowered to set up any beacons or sea-marks wherever they shall think them necessary; and if the owner of the land or any other person shall destroy them, or shall take down any steeple, tree, or other known sea-mark, he shall forfeit 100l. or, in case of inability to pay it, shall be ipso facto outlawed.