active light houses in wartime?

She-Wolf · 10-05-07, 03:56 AM

hello y'all. This is a bit of idle speculation because best beloved ( who is a retired electrical engineer wot used to do radar and sonar stuff, so got to go on warships etc) made a comment when I told him that I was passing north of Lerwick, and saw a light, which turned out to be a light-house beacon. He queried that, suggesting that there would not have been any UK light-houses shining out during the war years. What say you?
ps. I have just completed my first successful patrol, out of about six that went wrong for one reason or another (sighs happily). I am ready for my medal now... just watch where you pin it!):rotfl:

GoDeep · 10-05-07, 04:23 AM

Actually, I was wondering about that as well. On the one hand, it would be strange to have the lighthouses lit up, making it easy for U-boats to spot your harbors and navigate by. But on the other hand, you'd probably want your welcome guests (merchants, warships) to be able to find their way easily.

I don't know if the the British kept their lighthouses operational during the war, but with the risk of overflying enemy bombers, enemy U-boats and stuff, I would find it odd.

The US had an incredibly relaxed attitude until operation Paukenschlag (Drumbeat). They had the entire coastline lit up, no blackout whatsoever. That changed when the U-boats started wreaking havoc, of course. Maybe the British didn't resort to lighthouse blackouts until later in the war?

Does anyone know for sure?

Venatore · 10-05-07, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by She-Wolf

best beloved made a comment when I told him that I was passing north of Lerwick, and saw a light, which turned out to be a light-house beacon. He queried that, suggesting that there would not have been any UK light-houses shining out during the war years. I am ready for my medal now... just watch where you pin it!):rotfl:

Good point, and I'm not talking about where to pin you medal. :hmm:

3Jane · 10-05-07, 05:14 AM

'Trinity House' would be the people to ask about lighthouse operation.

She-Wolf · 10-05-07, 05:30 AM

Venatore - went to your site - wow, atmospheric music and lots of action - are all those shots from SH3? I shall go back for another look later.

3Jane, I might just do a search on the net for such info

Venatore · 10-05-07, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by She-Wolf

Venatore - went to your site

That site solely belongs to my mate JCWolf. He built it from scratch. I just store my mod there, keep them in one area. I better amend my sig so theres not confusion about the owner of the site.

She-Wolf · 10-05-07, 05:44 AM

Venatore - my fault, I clicked on the link without reading the LARGE GREEN writing!! Nothing wrong with your sig.

3Jane, good suggestion; here is what I found.

During the First and Second World Wars Trinity House's lights remained off, but they were occasionally relit for the use of Allied shipping and fleet movements.

Wartime risk

Turning off the lights in wartime was a risky business. On 28 October 1915,HMS Argyll was wrecked on the Bell Rock.

Bell Rock lighthouse during a storm from the north east. © NMM

The Bell Rock light had been turned off as wartime custom demanded. But the light had been requested to be turned back on for the Argyll. Due to some hitch it was not put on until it was too late.

10-05-07, 03:56 AM	#1
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	active light houses in wartime? hello y'all. This is a bit of idle speculation because best beloved ( who is a retired electrical engineer wot used to do radar and sonar stuff, so got to go on warships etc) made a comment when I told him that I was passing north of Lerwick, and saw a light, which turned out to be a light-house beacon. He queried that, suggesting that there would not have been any UK light-houses shining out during the war years. What say you? ps. I have just completed my first successful patrol, out of about six that went wrong for one reason or another (sighs happily). I am ready for my medal now... just watch where you pin it!):rotfl: __________________

10-05-07, 05:14 AM	#4
3Jane Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: York. Northern England. Posts: 1,004 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	'Trinity House' would be the people to ask about lighthouse operation. __________________ Fate opposes me in vitality and morality, forced ever onward, burdened, always in shackles. So this very moment, without tarrying, pluck the quivering strings. Because fate punishes the one who plays, all lament with me. (http://hosted.filefront.com/KatherineRowan)

10-05-07, 05:30 AM	#5
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	Venatore - went to your site - wow, atmospheric music and lots of action - are all those shots from SH3? I shall go back for another look later. 3Jane, I might just do a search on the net for such info __________________

10-05-07, 05:44 AM	#7
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	Venatore - my fault, I clicked on the link without reading the LARGE GREEN writing!! Nothing wrong with your sig. 3Jane, good suggestion; here is what I found. During the First and Second World Wars Trinity House's lights remained off, but they were occasionally relit for the use of Allied shipping and fleet movements. Wartime risk *Turning off the lights in wartime was a risky business. On 28 October 1915,HMS Argyll* was wrecked on the Bell Rock.** Bell Rock lighthouse during a storm from the north east. © NMM *The Bell Rock light had been turned off as wartime custom demanded. But the light had been requested to be turned back on for the Argyll.* Due to some hitch it was not put on until it was too late.** __________________

10-05-07, 04:23 AM	#2
GoDeep Planesman Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Actually, I was wondering about that as well. On the one hand, it would be strange to have the lighthouses lit up, making it easy for U-boats to spot your harbors and navigate by. But on the other hand, you'd probably want your welcome guests (merchants, warships) to be able to find their way easily. I don't know if the the British kept their lighthouses operational during the war, but with the risk of overflying enemy bombers, enemy U-boats and stuff, I would find it odd. The US had an incredibly relaxed attitude until operation Paukenschlag (Drumbeat). They had the entire coastline lit up, no blackout whatsoever. That changed when the U-boats started wreaking havoc, of course. Maybe the British didn't resort to lighthouse blackouts until later in the war? Does anyone know for sure?