Lanterns for 18th century smaller vessels

[brunnels]

Does anyone have any resources or know the answer to what smaller vessels like brigs and cutters would use as ship lanterns during the age of sail?  I would think they would need a light of the back of the ship for convoy purposes, larger vessels had the beautiful stern lanterns but what would smaller vessels do?  Also would they hang lanterns over the deck to give the crew light?  If so where would they hang them?

For context I am finishing up my HMS Speedy rigging and thought it would be fun to test my 3d modeling and printing skills to design and print a few basic lanterns to liven up the deck.   

Edited Tuesday at 08:34 PM by brunnels

[Kenchington]

1 hour ago, brunnels said:

would they hang lanterns over the deck to give the crew light?

That one, I think I can answer: No, there were no deck lights in sailing ships. There is usually enough light, even on a moonless night, for men to work the rig and usually no call for anything more detailed (maintenance tasks or whatever) until daylight. When it was (and is) truly dark, seamen were expected to work by feel, knowing which line was belayed on which pin.

 

As to lights for other ships to see and follow: My guess is that a rather ordinary lantern would be hoisted in the rigging, probably using a spare flag halliard or the like. That's how anchor lights were shown in more recent times. In the 1940s, it was claimed that U-Boat lookouts could find a convoy if one smoker could not resist the need to strike a match when on deck at night. (I don't know the truth of it but that was claimed at the time.) So a lantern with even a single candle could likely be seen from  a distance, given reasonable weather.

 

Trevor

[Dr PR]

Your eyes adapt to the darkness in less than 15 minutes, and it is surprising how much you can see in the "dark."

 

We could see unlighted fishing boats in almost any clear weather and calm seas. Heavy seas and rain made it more difficult. But even a small light could be seen from a great distance. Fishing boats often had a small light pointing down into the water to attract fish, and these were very easy to see at a great distance.

 

You can also see the glow of bow waves and wakes from light emitted by microscopic marine creatures.

 

I didn't have any trouble walking around on deck at night, and some of our decks were painted dark gray.