Spurn Lightship facts for kids
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SpurnLightship
The Spurn Lightship (LV No. 12) is a special kind of ship. It's like a floating lighthouse! You can find it today in Hull Marina in Kingston upon Hull, England.
This ship was built in 1927. For 48 years, it helped other ships find their way. It was stationed near the Humber Estuary, about 4.5 miles east of Spurn Point.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 England |
|
| Name | Spurn |
| Owner | Hull City Council |
| Builder | Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co Ltd, Goole |
| Launched | 1927 |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Out of service | 1975 |
| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Lightvessel |
| Tonnage | 200 GT |
| Length | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Draught | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Depth | 14.5 ft (4.4 m) |
What is a Lightship?
A lightship is a ship that acts like a lighthouse. It stays in one place to guide other ships. Lightships are used in areas where it's hard to build a regular lighthouse. This could be because the water is too deep or the ground is too soft.
Lightships have a powerful light on top. They also have foghorns to warn ships in bad weather. They are very important for keeping sailors safe.
History of the Spurn Lightship
The Spurn Lightship was built in 1927. It was made by a company called Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co Ltd. Its job was to help ships navigate the tricky waters of the Humber Estuary.
On April 15, 1959, something unusual happened. The lightship was pushed ashore in the River Hull. This shows how powerful the weather and tides can be!
From Service to Museum
The Spurn Lightship stopped its work in 1975. It had served for almost 50 years. In 1983, Hull City Council bought and fixed up the ship.
In 1987, the ship moved to Hull Marina. It became a museum that people could visit. It's a great way to learn about maritime history.
Visiting the Spurn Lightship
The museum is usually open from early April to the end of September. You can visit for free! However, it has sometimes only been open on weekends. This is due to staff shortages.
It's important to wear sensible shoes when you visit. Small children need to be watched closely. Also, please know that it's not possible to use a wheelchair on the ship.
The museum closed in June 2018. This was so the ship could be moved. A new footbridge was being built nearby. The ship also needed some important conservation work. It was expected to reopen in a new spot in the marina around 2021.
