Masthead Light
A brass oil burning masthead or anchor light that has been painted with galvanised paint. Above the metal base is a glass cylinder which houses the wick and this cylinder is covered by a domed metal cap. There is a door at the back which can be opened to light the wick and refill the oil reservoir. The lamp has a handle at the top and 2 rings on the top and base metal sections which would have been used to fasten the lamp into position.
The Masthead Lamp has been used on sailing ships for hundreds of years and was named for its use when it was a shipping requirement to display a white light from the tallest mast whenever the ship was at anchor or underway at night.
The oil burning lamp was lit and then hoisted to the top of the mast with one rope tied to the handle and two ropes through the meal guides to keep it from swaying as the ship rolled with the sea. The lamp would have burned whale oil or kerosene.
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Details
Busselton Historical Society
Busselton Historical Society
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