It was reinforced. They built another cast iron sheath around the original cast iron tower and filled the space between with rubble. Trouble is that it only went part way up. Just above the reinforcement is where it broke in a storm. I have heard that the people, who all survived, were in the tower and also they they were in the other buildings. Either way it is amazing. The island is so small, it must have been terrifying. After this lighthouse (which I notice you have not named) was lost, they replaced the first Fastnet. This tower had received the same reinforcement,also only part way up, which they now knew was insufficient. I hope someone names it soon, I am leaving Friday to visit George with the Pixie. I am hoping the pixie dust works on the weather!