Browse Items (12 total)

Beavertail was the first Lighthouse in America using a bell for a fog signal. Constructed in 1829 the 600 lb bell on top of a 12' tower was located nearby the existing 1749 lighthouse foundation. The remains of the 1829 fog bell foundation are still…

This navigation sextant was manufactured in Britain by Kelvin & Hughes. It is on loan to BLMA from the Collection of Captain Christopher Karentz.

This ship in a bottle is a replica of a four-masted barque (circa early 1900s) It was handcrafted by Italian immigrant Giovanni Ferriolo, who sailed in a vessel of this type as a Bosun Mate. It was donated to BLMA by Giovanni's grandson, John A.…

Craftsman and Date Unknown Donated to BLMA by David Macdonald, Weymouth, MA 2019

Model of horse-driven fog signal used at Beavertail in 1851. It was designed by David Daboll of New London CT. to operate his famous fog trumpet. The horse, walking the endless treadmill, compressed air into a tank, which in turn modulated the…

With knowledge of the current time and geographical position in the form of latitude and longitude, the astrocompass is sighted on any astronomical object with a know position to give an extremely accurate reading determining the direction of "true…

This navigation tool is on loan to BLMA from the Collection of Captain Christopher Karentz.

This navigation tool was used to take bearings and sunlines. It is on loan to BLMA from the Collection of Captain Christopher Karentz.

This Radio Direction Finder (RDF) is typical of those used in vessels for navigation purposes by determining the bearing of radio signals transmitting from shore stations and lightships. The radio beacon from the Brenton Reef lightship and later the…

Marina Radio Activated Sound Signal (MRASS) installed in fog-prone locations enables vessels equipped with VHF radio to activate the fog signal located at the lighthouse or other fixed location. The Marina keys his "push to talk" button on Channel…

The brass dustpan was an essential tool used to keep the lighthouse "spot clean". Many were marked with "U.S. Light House Service". This dustpan was donated to BLMA by Teresa & David Emond of Jamestown and was originally used by Keeper Edward…

The lens on display in the center of this room is a fourth-order lens that was in the tower at Beavertail until it was replaced in 1991 by a rotating beacon. The lens can be open to allow visitors to see inside. Touching the glass prisms is…