observed at the Kentish Knock Lightship. 113 



experience gained at the Eddystone Lighthouse in the autumn 

 of 1901, I decided to make the venture, and an application 

 was forwarded for me by the Royal Society to the Trinity 

 House for permission to spend a month during the past 

 autumn on one of the Corporation's lightships in the North 

 Sea. This privilege was graciously granted, and every facility 

 was offered for visiting any vessel that might be selected. 



The selection of a suitable station demanded careful 

 consideration, and I finally decided upon the Kentish Knock 

 Lightship. This vessel appeared to me to lie at or near the 

 centre of the migratory stream that I desired to investigate, 

 and its remote situation out of sight of land to afford 

 an excellent opportunity for witnessing the various move- 

 ments, and the conditions under which they were performed, 

 free from the influences which might prevail at stations 

 nearer to our shores; lastly, the character of its light seemed 

 to be especially adapted for attracting the migrants which 

 might pass in the night. 



The geographical position of the lightship will be best 

 realised by a reference to the accompanying map (Plate IV.) 

 which shews its situation in relation both to the English 

 shores and those of the Continent. It is stationed in 

 latitude 51° 38' 50" N., and in longitude 1° 39' 55" E., 

 lying 21 miles N.E. by N. of Margate, and 21*5 miles S.E. 

 of the Naze, which are respectively the nearest points of 

 land, while it is moored two miles east of the extensive sand 

 from which it takes its name — a sand entirely submerged 

 at all states of the tide. The following table (p. 114) 

 affords some further information regarding its geographical 

 relations. 



The vessel is equipped with a white revolving light, 

 throwing out three beams each of 12,000 candle-power, and 

 making a complete revolution in three minutes. As it lies 

 in the direct course of all the east-coast traffic passing north 

 and south via English Channel, it is furnished with an 

 extremely powerful siren for use in times of fog or haze. 



Life on a lightship is undoubtedly one of considerable 

 hardship and discomfort. It is the life of a seaman spent 



SE15. VJIl. — vol. iv. I 



