Bahama Bank Lightship
| History | |
|---|---|
| Isle of Man | |
| In service: | 1848 |
| Out of service: | 1914 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Lightvessel |
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| Coordinates | 54°19′40″N 4°12′55″W / 54.32778°N 4.21528°WCoordinates: 54°19′40″N 4°12′55″W / 54.32778°N 4.21528°W |
| Year first lit | 1848 |
| Deactivated | 1914 |
| Markings / pattern | Red hull, ball at masthead |
| Focal height | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Range | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Characteristic | White group flash every 30 seconds |
| Fog signal | 1 blast every 2 minutes |
| Managing agent | Trinity House |
The Bahama Bank Lightship was a Lightvessel stationed on the Bahama Bank east of Ramsey Bay, Isle of Man.
The original Lightvessel was stationed on the bank in 1848, its position being 1.25 nautical miles southeast of the southeast tail of the bank at position 54°19′N 4°12′W / 54.317°N 4.200°W. The lightvessel's lighting consisted of two fixed lights with an operational coverage of 10 nautical miles. The original vessel was not fitted with a fog horn, instead a gun mounted onboard was fired during periods of low visibility as a warning to shipping.
A new vessel took station in September 1879 and incorporated one signal light which operated a white group flash every 30 seconds. The vessel's facilities were augmented in 1882 when a fog signal was fitted which consisted of one single blast every two minutes.
From its introduction into operation in 1848 the vessel's shore station was situated at Ramsey, Isle of Man. This lasted until 1877 when it was moved to Holyhead. On numerous occasions during the stormy winter months, the Trinity service boat carrying the relief crew would be unable to get alongside the light vessel. One such occasion was during January 1877 when the crew were left onboard the light vessel for 17 days.
The light vessel was used on numerous occasions as a flag boat, marking a turning point for yacht racing at the annual Ramsey Regatta.
On Tuesday 16 October 1877, following an assistance signal being hoisted, the Ramsey Harbour boat Snider, was despatched to the light vessel. On reaching the vessel it was found that her Master, Captain Temple, had fractured several of his fingers during a storm the previous night.
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