In 1666, Audley End House was bought by Charles II for use as a base when attending Newmarket races, and it became effectively a royal palace.

On his return, he is believed to have studied engraving with Wenceslas Hollar and was employed at Audley End House as assistant to the Clerk of Works.

Told that the reef was too treacherous to mark, he declared that he would build a lighthouse there himself, and the Admiralty agreed to support him with ships and men.

The octagonal tower was to be built from Cornish granite and wood, with ornamental features and a glass lantern-room in which candles would burn to provide the light, and was to be anchored to the rock by 12 huge iron stanchions.

On this particular day, the commissioner at Plymouth, George St Lo, ordered the ship to join the fleet and did not provide a replacement.

The lighthouse suffered some weather damage during the winter of 1698 - 1699, and the light was often obscured by spray breaking over the top of the tower.