196 
Ordinary Meeting, January lOtli, 1860 . 
WiM. Fairbairn, Esq., F.R.S., &c.. President, in the Chair. 
A Paper was read by Mr. Alfred Fryer, entitled “Sug- 
gestions for a new form of Floating Lightship, and a mode 
of estimating the distances of Lighthouses.” 
Authorities agree that ordinary floating-lights are uncertain, 
being liable to be drifted from their moorings ; they are also 
frequently injured by storms, and are expensive to maintain. 
As the violent action of wind and waves on a considerable 
surface is the chief cause of mischief, it is proposed to 
construct a vessel presenting little surface exposed to their 
influence. The form proposed somewhat resembles a hydro- 
meter, and the material used is wrought iron, the “stem” 
being surmounted by the lightroom and lantern, and the 
“bulb” containing the dwelling apartments and store room. 
The form of the stem is slightly taper, and at its union 
with the lightroom is only of sufficient width to admit a 
ladder and the body of a man easily. The length, shape, 
and strength would vary within certain limits by local con- 
siderations. The vessel represented in the diagram and 
model was one hundred and twenty-five feet long, two-thirds 
being exposed and one-third submerged. A wide flange, the 
office of which was to retard and reduce oscillation and ver- 
tical motion, was attached to the widest part of the “bulb.” 
The discomfort of living twenty feet below the surface of 
the water was shown to be small. Some little light could be 
reflected down the “ stem,” while quiescence when the water 
was violently agitated by storms, immunity from the dangers 
of fire and lightning, and little or no chance of shipwreck or 
being drifted from the moorings, are advantages not to be 
forgotten. Ample ventilation could be secured by dividing 
the stem into ventilating shafts. 
Moderate cost, steadiness during storms, and the great eleva- 
tion at which the light is exhibited, are the chief advantages. 
Proceedings— Lit. & Phil. Society— No. 8 .— Session, 1859 - 60 . 
