Fate continues to deal Simon some low blows. His Cherokee
broke down (again) and this time it is terminal. It is very difficult to find a
replacement vehicle without any transport to get around; while earning enough
to keep the wolf from the door; while repairing the door; etc etc. Still, he
remains cheerful. I am searching up here
in N Wales, but of course that means getting any vehicle down to Kent if I
succeed.
My trip to the Public Records Office in Belfast is now
arranged. I am allowing two days to peruse their records of wireless traffic
between the Harbour authorities and the Lady Dixon, plus the Masters’ log books
of the ship from 1943 to 1956 – and anything else I can find!
Meanwhile the Devil finds work ……. I am on the track of a
Diaphone fog-horn to replace the one missing from the ship. You will remember
that it was shown on the 1943 blueprints I got from the National Archives
(Photo).
Unfortunately it is proving difficult to get a decision
from the owners. Only the ‘trumpet’ remains, but it would be a start. So
meanwhile I have had a cunning plan.
Simon needs some sort of doorbell to alert him to
visitors when he is working in the depths. So I have made use of a redundant
speaker to provide a basis for a very appropriate alerting system.
First I gutted it, then made up a little circuit board (a
kit of parts purchased from Germany) which required some delicate soldering. I
also purchased a suitable little speaker, made a mounting board for it and
installed a push-button to operate the device. (Photo).
The finished article looks very smart (Photo) and makes
quite a good sound for a lightship - you can try it (mpv).
David
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