St Michaels Maritime Museum MD #3: The lighthouse

Neat stuff Karson. Was the light assembly floating on a pool of mercury?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Nothing was said about that. I’m not really sure how the lighthouse was placed in the bay. Wheather it was on the bay bottom with screws or whether it was on a little island that was build around the base.

The write up states that was out in the water as remote as a desert island. But, it was placed where a known sandbar caused navigation problems.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Sorry about that Karson. I meant the actual turning part of the light. One way they set up the mechanisms for lighthouses was to float the thing in a pool of mercury at the bottom of the shaft. They wound a clockwork mechanism raising a weight a bit like you would for a cuckoo clock. The weight would go down and the light would turn. The speed of rotation was controlled by James Watt’s balls. This was critical because the frequency of the flashes was used to identify which light you were seeing.

I don’t know how they ran the light in those short, coastal light houses though. That’s why I was asking.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Karson,

Very interesting trip! The Bay is filled with historical sites and stuff to see. Hope you ate some oysters while you were there!!!!!

Lew

Great story Karson. I love to see those old lighthouses myself. Always try to visit some when we get to the Carolina coast.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Karson – great blog!! Those boats look like they are built and restored with tender loving care. Not sure if my workshop could handle that project.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Most of these babies are done outside. The Boat shop is where they are making the small rowboats.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

One of our favorite spots to visit. I’ve got pictures of the classic wood boats… but none of the workbench in the lighthouse.

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

Al I don’t remember the workbench in previous visits. I’m wondering if it’s new this year.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Nice post Karson.

I bet David had a great time.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Thanks Karson and David R for the history lesson. Floss and I spend a weekend in quaint old St Michael’s about 30 years ago. Oh! where have the years gone???

Happy Easter Monday you’ll,

-- Bob Lance, DE

we stayed at Pigeon Pt. lighthouse near Santa Cruz CA a couple years ago—-they turned the grounds in to a youth hostel…and it was great…

Good stuff karson!!!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...