[5] Foundations were laid on 12 April 1857[5] with construction carried out by local builder William Falkingbridge[4] of Well Close Square, Whitby.

[5] Supervising the construction Henry Norris[4][5] of James Walker's firm was engaged as Superintendent of the Works on behalf of Trinity House.

The light, a 1st Order assembly manufactured by Chance Brothers of Smethwick, was first lit on 1 October 1858[4] with costs of construction having run to about £8,000.

[6][4] Their purpose was to show a fixed pair of lights which, when in transit, lined up with Whitby Rock (an offshore hazard to shipping).

[12] On the site of the demolished North Light, buildings were erected to house new fog signalling apparatus[13] (including a compressed air plant powered by two Hornsby horizontal 25-horsepower oil engines).