ON 

 LIGHTHOUSE CHARACTERISTICS. 



\Paper read at the Naval and Marine Exhibition, 

 Glasgow -, February nth, 1881.] 



FOR a lighthouse to fulfil the reason of its 

 existence, it must not only be seen, it must be 

 recognised when seen. If seen, and not known, a 

 lighthouse is of no use ; if not seen, it certainly 

 could not be of use. There has been much of 

 discussion as to what is the primary and most 

 important quality of a lighthouse. Penetrative 

 power to allow the light to be seen in thick weather 

 at as great a distance as possible is, of course, the 

 first object to be striven for. The next question is 

 How to make use of a lighthouse when seen ? 

 If a sailor descrying a lighthouse from a great 

 distance is in doubt whether the light is on a 

 fishing-boat a mile off, or on the masthead of a 

 steamer three miles off, or on a lighthouse six miles 



