Using A Nautical Lantern As Part Of Your Nautical Decor

Nautical decor has become quite popular these days, and one of the staples of nautical decor has to be the nautical lantern. A nautical lantern can be a working lantern or an antique lantern, either way it is sure to be a pleasing addition to your nautical decor theme. There are several types of nautical lanterns to choose from, Port Side Lanterns, Starboard Side Lanterns, Anchor Lanterns and Cargo Lanterns. Most antique nautical lanterns were made from brass, and were oil based. You can still find these type of antiques in antique stores, auctions, Ebay or craigslist. There are also replica nautical lanterns to be had too, if you would like it to be a functional electric light. In the following article I will give some background on the four different types of nautical lanterns that I have mentioned and what they were used for.

Port and Starboard lanterns were and are still used today as navigation lights. Port lanterns are found on the left side of the ship and Starboard lanterns are found on the right side of the ship. While navigating, there is no "right of way," on the ocean, however, there is an understanding of being the "stand on vessel," or the "give way vessel." If two ships were on intersecting courses, then the ship on the left must give way. What happens is, the stand on vessel sees the green light on the right side of the give way vessel and the give way vessel sees the red light on the left side of the stand on vessel. The give way vessel either turns away or goes around the stern of the stand on vessel. It is very similar to our red and green lights in traffic. A fun and interesting fact, the Port side light is red because port wine is red, also port wine is traditionally pased around the table to the left.

 Anchor lanterns were and are still used by ships at anchor.  The anchor lanterns are used as part of a safty system to ensure that other ships are aware of the location of anchored ships even in poor visibility.  The anchor lantern is always a bright white light and is a signal to other ships that they are anchored and not underway.  It is also a signal that the ship is not in trouble, it is just stopped for the time being.  Anchor lanterns are mainly used for the safety of the ship.  Other ships that are underway, can see the anchor lantern and adjust their path to avoid collision.  The anchor lantern is usually displayed at the top of the mast and back in the day were widely used by old merchant vessels. Like the port and starboard lanterns, anchor lanterns are also made of brass, however, tend to be a white, all round light, to make visibility easy.

 Before there was electricity, sailors used cargo lanterns to check their cargo that they were hauling. They would attach the cargo lanterns to ropes which were attached to the sides of the cargo holds.  This would allow them to run the cargo lanterns up and down the ropes. The sailors would then hoist the cargo lanterns up and down the vessel's hold to check on the state of their cargo at sea.  The cargo lanterns were built specifically for the inner space of the ship.  The cargo lanterns burned standard lamp oil to create a light bright enough to be able to navigate the holds of the ship. The cargo lanterns had to be sturdy enough to withstand the turbulent conditions out at sea, while maximizing the amount of light created from it's flame.  Just like the anchor lanterns, port and starboard lanterns, the cargo lanterns were also made of brass.

 As you can see, any type of maritime lantern will add warmth and charm to your nautical decor theme.  Whether you choose to get an antique nautical lantern, a replica nautical lantern or an electric modified nautical lantern, it is sure to brighten up the room and add some great character.