How did Sir James N. Douglass reduce wave damage to the later Eddystone Lighthouse?

To reduce wave damage and prevent heavy seas from breaking over the lantern, Sir James N. Douglass designed the current Eddystone Lighthouse with a massive cylindrical base.1

While his predecessor John Smeaton had utilized a curved profile to direct waves upward, this design still allowed waves to break over the top of the structure during severe storms. By incorporating the massive cylindrical base, Douglass ensured that the structure could better absorb the energy of incoming seas, providing greater stability and protection for the lantern.1