Lightships: Their Design, Development and Diversity

Lightships were essential for navigation in hazardous areas, evolving from teak to iron and steel hulls and using various fuels before electricity provided the brightest lights. Fog warnings included bells, gongs, reed horns, and sirens, with the diaphone being the loudest. These advancements were made in the 19th century and are explored in this book.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Lightships were essential for guiding ships of all nations past offshore reefs and sandbanks, which posed significant hazards to navigation where lighthouses could not be built. This book delves into the design, construction, and evolution of lightships over more than two centuries of service. Initially constructed from teak, they later transitioned to iron hulls and eventually to steel. The lights on lightships used various types of fuel, including whale oil, colza oil, and paraffin, before eventually switching to electricity, which provided the greatest brightness. Fog warnings were initially given by bells, gongs, reed horns, and sirens, but later reached maximum power with the diaphone, which could be heard up to 10 miles away. These advancements, which were largely driven by scientific and engineering advances made in the nineteenth century, are explored in detail in this book. For centuries, lightships played a crucial role in making the sea lanes around Great Britain far safer for navigators. Their history and development are well documented through the rare images and detailed information contained within this book.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 233 x 165 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398119239