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Huron
Lightship
 Lightships
were like floating lighthouses anchored in areas where
it was too deep, expensive or impractical to construct a
lighthouse. Lightships displayed a light at the top of a
mast and in areas of fog also sounded a fog signal and
radio beacon. The fog signals used over the years
consisted of bells, whistles, trumpets, sirens, and
horns. Fog horns were powered by steam in the early days
and later by air compressors. The Huron Lightship
sounded her fog horn signal in a 3 second blast every 30
seconds and was known locally as "Old B.O." because of
the familiar sound her horn made.
As you look at the guide, you will quickly see that it
is divided into several different compartments. A brief
description of each of these sections will help you
understand how the lightship functioned so well.
We hope you
enjoyed your virtual tour of the Huron Lightship
and that you can experience a live tour someday soon. If
you have any questions or comments, please email the
site manager, Jerry Rome at
lightship@phmuseum.org.
Interested in
getting involved with the Huron? Every Wednesday
is a work session on board, which includes a lunch made
by one of our volunteers for those who help out. Current
projects include rebuilding the Lightship's diesel
generators and general maintenance and cleaning for the
summer season. Enjoy working with the public? Once
tourist season begins, volunteers are needed to welcome
visitors onboard and to educate them on the Huron's
history.
Did You
Know?
During storms,
sailors on the lightship placed their plates on wet rags
on the metal galley tables, which created a suction to
hold their food in place even as the ship rolled with
the waves!
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