THE AMBROSE LIGHT VESSEL AND AN OCEAN LINER 



This light vessel is anchored off the entrance to New York Bay. Ocean passages are 

 reckoned to or from this ship. "Light-ships are placed in locations off the coast where it 

 would be impracticable or needlessly expensive to build a lighthouse, and they usually mark 

 the approach to a port or bay, or the outer limit of an offlying danger. They are also 

 sometimes used in inside waters. They may be moored in the channel or close to it, and 

 they have the advantage over most lighthouses, that a vessel may steer directly for them 

 without danger so long as collision with the light vessel is avoided, and also that they may 

 be moved and moored in another position when change of conditions or necessity requires. 

 On the other hand, a light vessel is more expensive to maintain, and there is the possibility 

 of its being driven from its station, though this is reduced in recent years by improved 

 vessels and moorings" (see page 41). 



THE NANTUCKET LIGHT VESSEL, MOORED IN THE ATLANTIC 4I MILES FROM LAND 



Most of the transatlantic vessels steer for this vessel. "Life on a light-ship is somewhat 

 dreary, but not without excitement. During every fog the crew on Nantucket ship know 

 that numerous vessels are headed directly for them, and in a storm, anchored as they are in 

 the open sea, they may be far from comfortable. The men in turn are allowed liberal leave 

 ashore. There arc often serious difficulties in getting coal and i)rovisions to the ships on 

 exposed stations, so that it is necessary that they carry sufficient supplies to last over stormy 

 periods" (see page 43). 



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