Lightship

Nothing but fog for two days. It was July, yet the beach was cold and uninviting; then to cap it all, there was the moan of the foghorn. 'Euuw- h!' it called; a short break and 'Euuw-wh!' again: like a sea creature in pain. Next day, the fog was gone leaving the sound of waves on the sand to greet the morning. Now maybe the fishermen would be day tripping again.

We all hurried down to the beach where the little blue boat, decked with flags, was waiting; the fishermen beside it in their navy blue jerseys calling for customers:

'Any one for the lightship? Trip to the lightship for half-a-crown.'

Dad found some money and we were ushered aboard.

'Any more? Any more? See the lightship! Now's yer chance!'

The younger of the fishermen cast off leaving the older man to drum up more trade. The lightship was enormous with huge letters spelling 'Cockle' painted on its red sides. Men in blue guernseys helped us aboard. We were shown the lantern and the engine that turned it; then the cabin where the crew ate and slept. On deck was a small cannon; fired to warn ships that they were passing the wrong side of the vessel. But the most fascinating thing of all was the steel chain passing from the deck, right through the ship's hull, then out to the anchor hidden deep in the sea below.

'How did it do that without letting the seawater flood the hull?'