Lighthouses

[l_lee]

Hi, I am a final year architecture student currently doing my dissertation. I have chosen the subject of lighthouses and as part of it I am attempting to gain an understanding of people's perceptions, and I would like to get sailors views in particular.

Do you view them as obsolete in terms of navigation? Are they useful in any way, i.e. cultural heritage, just pretty to look at or any other way?

It would be immensely helpful and very much appreciated if you could give any comments - long or short!

Alternatively (or as well as) there's a questionnaire at the following link:

http://tool.surveypirate.com/Survey.asp ... %2f80DuRcC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Many thanks in advance,
Lydia

[Ocklepoint]

Hi

The link to Survey Pirate does not seem to be working

[Mark]

Many thanks in advance,
Lydia

Link seems to be broken so my comments here.

GPS is bloody excellent. (Decca had a number of significant drawbacks).

However, most leisure sailors, including myself, find it really hard to do the 'airline pilot thing' and really trust our electronics.

So lighthouses & lit bouys give a welcome sense of confidence. To give an idea of how effective these things are, in mid channel you can frequently see looms both sides of the channel. Takes all of the guesswork out of it.

So my perception is that they're still totally essential.

Is that perception accurate? I'm not sure. I assume in WW2 they turned them off, at least partially, and people coped. (Although I believe the lack of lights might have been a factor in the famous "Politician"?) It would be far easier to manage without in the days of GPS.

Another question, are the buildings required? There's a radio mast on the IOW which can bee seen 40 miles away in clear conditions - would a lighter and less powerful light on top of that be both possible, and good enough to replace St Cats light?

[sahona]

I love them.
There is a point when rounding the Mull of Kintyre (close in) that you lose one before the next comes into view. That's when you appreciate them!
Also the "proper" rotating beams are literally miles better than the beeping LEDs.
Cost of upkeep must be a bit heavy though. I watched Lady Isle light being refurbished by helicopter from the Pharos, moored a few yards off. (rather than struggle with large stuff on a rib)
I spent part of my youth being lulled to sleep by the loom from Cumbrae Elbow light sweeping over towards Largs -magic.
Out of interest, I found this while firkling lights on the net - it's how our logs should really look, and could be interesting to plot sometime. Certainly a good example of how lights were originally used before GPS etc.
http://www.hmshood.org.uk/database/logD ... 1939/12/31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[marisca]

Certainly not obsolete for me. Night and day they are easy markers to aim for and give a wonderful sense of security, matching the x on the chart with reality. At night there is a comfortable sense of progress as first the loom and then the light appears and then passes by. Chart plotters show you where you are but the comfort of seeing the lights is a very important part for me reinforced by the odd occasion when the expected light does not appear - that leads to much chart checking and concern.

[Telo]

They're very handy if you're ever caught short.

[Mark]

it's how our logs should really look,

I don't know what it means but I can't wait to write this in a log:

16:15 - Assume 3rd degree of L.A. readiness

[l_lee]

Thank you so much for all of your replies, they've been very helpful!

Apologies for the broken link, this one should work if you'd be kind enough to attempt it again!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TJ68YBJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lydia

[ash]

it's how our logs should really look,

I don't know what it means but I can't wait to write this in a log:

16:15 - Assume 3rd degree of L.A. readiness

Nothing beats a bit of Fred Drift - I don't know either - i think that it's something to do with the guns - having them pointing roughly in the expected direction of the enemy.

Mr google points me here, http://www.hnsa.org/doc/br224/part4.htm, but I can't find the phrase.

Ash

[marisca]

it's how our logs should really look,

I don't know what it means but I can't wait to write this in a log:

16:15 - Assume 3rd degree of L.A. readiness

Nothing beats a bit of Fred Drift - I don't know either - i think that it's something to do with the guns - having them pointing roughly in the expected direction of the enemy.

Mr google points me here, http://www.hnsa.org/doc/br224/part4.htm, but I can't find the phrase.

Ash

514. Degrees of readiness are assumed as follows:-
1st degree of L.A. readiness
1st degree of A.A. readiness If enemy movements show probability of the enemy being encountered at any moment.
2nd degree of L.A. readiness
2nd degree of A.A. readiness If there is a possibility of the enemy being encountered at any moment, full action stations are manned, but a limited number of men may be fallen out in turn as circumstances permit.
3rd degree of L.A. readiness By day or night when contact with the enemy surface forces is possible but not imminent. This is sometimes called DEFENCE STATIONS and is the usual state of the armament at night.
3rd degree of A.A. readiness By day or night when considerable threat of air attack exists over a long period. This is sometimes called A.A. DEFENCE STATIONS.
4th degree of L.A. readiness By day when the disposition of our forces affords the necessary security from surprise encounter with enemy surface forces.
4th degree of A.A. readiness In harbour or when in 4th degree of L.A. readiness at sea, if the possibility of air attack is remote.

515. It is, of course, possible to be in a different degree of readiness for L.A. and H.A. For instance, in 4th degree of L.A. readiness and 3rd degree of A.A. readiness. Also if it is required to man the A.A. armament fully whilst in 4th degree of L.A. readiness, the extra men to man the A.A. guns must be trained from the L.A. armament.

[Mark]

The answer

Thanks, looks like you cracked it.

Seems that LA refers to Surface ships & AA refers to Aircraft.

http://warships1discussionboards.yuku.com/topic/9077" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS: I'd start sobbing for my mum at about 3 or 4. Soiling my oilies would occur somewhere nearer to three than one.

[ash]

514. Degrees of readiness are assumed as follows:-

Yes, well done, I had given up long before 514 - difference between racer /cruiser in levels of persistence ? .........

Ash

[marisca]

514. Degrees of readiness are assumed as follows:-

Yes, well done, I had given up long before 514 - difference between racer /cruiser in levels of persistence ? .........

Ash

Eh, no. I just used Find with "L.A.". "L.A." = Low Attitude

[Mark]

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/br224/part4.htm

Priceless:

"520. Whenever possible, when battle is imminent, men should wear clean underclothing"

[Rowana]

To get back to the original subject -

Lydia,
I'm not sure where you ar based, but if you ever get the chance, this place is well worth a visit -

http://www.lighthousemuseum.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for myself, I love lighthouses having spent part of my childhood next to Tod Head, and I still like to see their light when I'm sailing, and their towers usually stand out as a navigation point. Long may they continue, IMHO.