Lightships

Anthony Lane, Martin Augustus

Lightships
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Amberley Publishing
Country
United Kingdom
Published
15 October 2024
Pages
96
ISBN
9781398119239

Lightships

Anthony Lane, Martin Augustus

Lightships guided ships of all nations past offshore reefs and sandbanks that posed extreme hazards to navigation where lighthouses could not be built. This book describes their design, construction and evolution over more than two centuries of service. Originally constructed from teak, they progressed through iron hulls to steel. Their lights burnt whale oil, colza oil, then paraffin before electricity provided the greatest brightness. Fog warnings were given by bells, gongs, reed horns and sirens before reaching maximum power with the diaphone, which could be heard up to 10 miles away. All these features, most of which resulted from major scientific and engineering advances made in the nineteenth century, are examined here.

For hundreds of years lightships made 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.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.