Gas Buoys

[Mark-1]

Very interesting thread on a part of history that I had no knowledge of

Yup, I'd never heard of Gas Bouys which is odd because I don't seem to have missed them by much.

Fascinating thread and corresponding google rabbit hole. Thanks OP.

 

[dgadee]

Some moaned and some whistled. And yet others had bells. In fog they sort of worked but direction was never very clear.

Thank God for gps.

 

[seeSimon]

This is a navigation buoy lamp gas regulator from the Royal Museums, Greenwich:-

A light buoy acetylene flasher | Royal Museums Greenwich

More images from Pharos Automatic Marine Power. Scroll down to 1904:-

History of Pharos Marine Automatic Power Inc. - Navigation Signaling

I think the explanation below comes from Acetylen - fyrwiki


A video of the device working on a bench:-

https://fyr.org/wiki-files/Films/AGAgasreserv.mp4

There used to be a Trinity House museum in Penzance, based in the old buoy maintenance sheds adjacent the wet dock basin. Last couple of times i looked it was closed, it appears now permanently closed?
I recall something similar at Pembroke Dock?

The hulls of the buoys were the acetylene tanks, which is perhaps one reason why they are so heavily built? far heavier than the usual offshore industry buoys. They've probably just put solar powered topworks on?

 

[seeSimon]

There used to be a Trinity House museum in Penzance, based in the old buoy maintenance sheds adjacent the wet dock basin. Last couple of times i looked it was closed, it appears now permanently closed?
I recall something similar at Pembroke Dock?

The hulls of the buoys were the acetylene tanks, which is perhaps one reason why they are so heavily built? far heavier than the usual offshore industry buoys. They've probably just put solar powered topworks on?

Fwiw...

I was in Penzance today. Trinity House depot is no more, as is the museum...all is offices and holiday units now by the look of it?
Even the "legacy" buoys outside on the quay have gone.