Returning to the mystery of the main mast….
We did not know whether the mast extended below the lower
deck, or ended on that deck. Now the plans show us that the mast goes right
down to the bilges. There is an impressive supporting structure around the mast
at the main deck level. The first photo is of this structure taken in Cormorant
and viewed on the lower deck.
The second picture is from Gull (R.I.P.) and taken on the
upper deck, where graffiti artists obviously plied their lonely, sad trade.
According
to the various historical documents:-
“There were two openings in the mainmast,
one below the deck and another on the level of the lantern when hoisted up.
Inside the mast was a ladder which the lamplighters climbed to trim the lamps.
Both openings were stiffened round the edges with wrought iron frames.”
“In this
mast were two openings, one below the deck nearly on the fore side, and another
on the level of the lantern when hoisted up. Inside the mast was a ladder, up
which the men climbed to trim the light when it was mast-headed. The lower
opening was 5 feet 3 inches high, and 1 foot 4 inches wide, and was of
rectangular form…”
Well there is no evidence of any wrought iron frames
anywhere on the remaining piece of mast that stretches between decks, although
there are a number of ‘layers’ apparent.
I think that when the original ‘hoist-able’ lamp was
replaced by a fixed lamp with outside ladder access, the openings in the mast
were welded up to improve strength.
On the plans we can see that one lamp operating procedure
was to be carried out remotely and the mechanism for this includes a shaft
which goes right through the mast. That steel projection which can be seen
pointing towards the camera in the photo above might well be the remains of a supporting bracket
for the mechanism and the small circular hole just above it was the entry point
for the shaft.
I have enhanced the mast in the side views to make it
clearer.
I have yet to work out what this mechanism actually does.
It seems to be a manual system, so it would not be anything to do with rotating
the light. Perhaps it swivels the mirrors and directs and/or focuses the
beam(s). Are there any experts out
there?
David
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