Yes, Boyd’s Tower was magnificent, but in the end it was a white elephant.

Boyd’s empire collapsed a few years later, before the tower (designated to be a watch tower come lighthouse) could be fully utilised. He escaped the country for the California gold rush, but was unsuccessful there too. He disappeared while hunting what is now the Solomon Islands. His body was never found.

In the end, the tower was used by locals to spot whales. It was rather boring work, so the lads kept themselves occupied by playing chequers on a makeshift board.