Seesaw searchlights were an early electric powered searchlight first developed in the 1870s used in conjunction with coast artillery.
The searchlight consisted of an electric carbon lamp, capable of a strong beam for target illumination. Because the bulb was vulnerable to enemy fire, it was protected in a recessed emplacement whilst a large mirror, attached to the end of a 'see-saw' pivoting iron beam reflected the beam across the water to the target. The light was powered by steam engines usually housed in the nearby forts.[1]
Only a few of these were built anywhere in the British Empire, and were difficult to operate and were never successful. New Zealand's example had been abandoned by 1899.[2][3]
Surviving examples edit
No complete examples have survived but concrete emplacements can still be found at:
- Fort Ballance, Wellington, New Zealand[4]
- Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight
- Warden Point Battery on the Isle of Wight[5]
See also edit
- Military applications of searchlight
References edit
- ^ "Military Heap Type Report Final Draft" (PDF). Isle of Wight County Archaeology and Historic Environment Service Apr 2010.
- ^ Glackin, Russell (2009). In Defence of our land. Penguin. p. 51. ISBN 9780143011866.
- ^ Cooke, Peter (2000). Defending New Zealand : ramparts on the sea 1840-1950s. p. 51. ISBN 0473068338.
- ^ "HISTORICAL ASPECT OF WELLINGTON'S MILITARY STRUCTURES". http://capitaldefence.
- ^ "Fortifications Of The Isle of Wight – West Wight: Warden Point Battery". 10 August 2011.