Captain Bullock's safety beacon (1840)

Scale: Unknown. A design model of Captain Bullock's safety beacon (1840) erected on the Goodwin Sands in the English Channel. It depicts a single mast secured to a wooden cross shaped base which is held in position by iron pegs and lead bars. The mast itself has wooden steps fixed either side for climbing together with a chain and rope ladder giving access to the platform above. The whole beacon is then held in position by four pairs of chain stays anchored to the sea bed by large iron pegs. The wooden platform is octagonal in shape and fitted with a wooden grating floor with a rope and iron stanchion fitted around the outer edge. To gain access from the mast below to the platform above there are a pair of chain futtock shrouds rigged. There is a small topmast and pole fitted above the platform with a flag hoisted to indicate a person in distress. The model is mounted within a wooden square box filled with sand and gravel.

Object Details

ID: SLR0798
Collection: Ship models
Type: Structural model
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1840
People: Bullock, Capt
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 668 mm x 385 mm x 385 mm
Parts: Captain Bullock's safety beacon (1840)