What are range lights?

[MikeyB]

From Catton:
"The spot where Arkansas had tied up was noted, and range lights were fixed on the opposite shore to mark the place.

Were these just bonfires or torches or something like that? If just on the opposite bank of the river, there was really no way to take them out?

 

[MAPMFF]

Range lights were an early form of fixed navigation. As I understand it, it could be a pair or more of lighthouses, or some other sort of marker, as a ship entered a dangerous area of a harbor as long as from the ships perspective the range lights were lined up one behind the other, then the ship was guaranteed to remain clear of obstacles. We have some not to far from where I live in Newburyport, MA.

http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/newburyport-range-lights-history.html

 

[MAPMFF]

Range lights were an early form of fixed navigation. As I understand it, it could be a pair or more of lighthouses, or some other sort of marker, as a ship entered a dangerous area of a harbor as long as from the ships perspective the range lights were lined up one behind the other, then the ship was guaranteed to remain clear of obstacles. We have some not to far from where I live in Newburyport, MA.

http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/newburyport-range-lights-history.html

Has a few good images that better illustrate the point than my first link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadi...ts (also known as,be used for safe navigation.

 

[Zack]

So basically the Union navy set markers so that ships wouldn't accidentally stray into range of the Arkansas?

 

[MikeyB]

So basically the Union navy set markers so that ships wouldn't accidentally stray into range of the Arkansas?

Opposite. They set markers so the Union flyer would know where to fire, in an effort to sink her.

 

[Zack]

Opposite. They set markers so the Union flyer would know where to fire, in an effort to sink her.

Oh got it.

 

[Tom Elmore]

In the surface Navy, range lights or day markers were helpful to maintain the correct bearing of the ship upon entering a narrow channel, and, if not in alignment, would indicate which side of the channel the ship was on, based on the nearer marker's position relative to the farther, higher marker. Several ports around the world that are accessed by relatively narrow passageways still have them - they typically augment channel buoys, but in those days buoys might not be present or else out of proper position, which an enemy might intentionally misplace to run their opponent's vessels aground.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Judging by the full context of the quote I would suspect bonfires or maybe some portable lanters from one of the ships.

Normally range lights are two fixed lights used to mark a narrow channel. Usually two small lighted beacons with the rear light taller than the front. When both lights were in line you were in the channel; if one light was to the right or left of the other then you were out of the channel. The rear light might be a small lighthouse, but usually both lights were simply wooden tripods or quadpods, usually with painted wooden slatwork to stand out in daylight. Nowadays they're still in use with short automated metal towers.

It sounds like Farragut set up this temporary range perpendicular to the channel, which is not the normal way to use range lights. This was most likely necessary because CSS Arkansas was at a bend in the river. Put one fire atop the levee and another down closer to the water. If you were standing behind the top light looking toward the lower light would point across the river at the target. Each Union ship would only pass briefly through the range but when they did the lights briefly lined up on one side they knew to fire on the other side.

It reminds me of modern fighter planes. When you have free-fall ordinance is a bar with two lines at the top of your HUD. As you approach the target the two lines move closer. At your calculated release point they meet and you push the button.

 

[Biscoitos]

From Catton:
"The spot where Arkansas had tied up was noted, and range lights were fixed on the opposite shore to mark the place.

Were these just bonfires or torches or something like that? If just on the opposite bank of the river, there was really no way to take them out?

A. Wouldn't the Union have used actual lights, instead of some other form of marking, if the term "range lights" were used?

B. I wonder if Catton had a source that documented this.
As much as I respect him as a great (one of the very finest) historian, I think it's possible that this statement might be an assumption on his part.

Does anyone have a period source that says the Union Navy used "range lights" or any form of marking the Arkansas as a target?

I can't deny it sounds plausible, but does anyone have documentation of it?

 

[MikeyB]

A. Wouldn't the Union have used actual lights, instead of some other form of marking, if the term "range lights" were used?

B. I wonder if Catton had a source that documented this.
As much as I respect him as a great (one of the very finest) historian, I think it's possible that this statement might be an assumption on his part.

Does anyone have a period source that says the Union Navy used "range lights" or any form of marking the Arkansas as a target?

I can't deny it sounds plausible, but does anyone have documentation of it?

The footnote for this whole section is listed as:
NOR, Voli XIX, 4-5, 19; Charles Lee Lewis, David Glasgow Farragut, Our First Admiral, Vol II, 117-18, 121

 

[MikeyB]

A. Wouldn't the Union have used actual lights, instead of some other form of marking, if the term "range lights" were used?

B. I wonder if Catton had a source that documented this.
As much as I respect him as a great (one of the very finest) historian, I think it's possible that this statement might be an assumption on his part.

Does anyone have a period source that says the Union Navy used "range lights" or any form of marking the Arkansas as a target?

I can't deny it sounds plausible, but does anyone have documentation of it?

What would constitute "actual lights" in this time period? An oil lamp?

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

What would constitute "actual lights" in this time period? An oil lamp?

Yes, an oil lamp.

I don't know if the Union Navy had gone to kerosene (AKA mineral oil) yet for lamps. They might have still been using whale or lard oil which were less flammable and thus far less dangerous on a woodem ship.

Permanent range lights would often use a lamp comparable to what would be used on the front of a locomotive or steamboat, or a small non-rotating Fresnel lens.

I'm not sure what kind of lights Union warships would have had that could have been placed ashore. Probably large hurricane lamps.

 

[georgew]

A. Wouldn't the Union have used actual lights, instead of some other form of marking, if the term "range lights" were used?

B. I wonder if Catton had a source that documented this.
As much as I respect him as a great (one of the very finest) historian, I think it's possible that this statement might be an assumption on his part.

Does anyone have a period source that says the Union Navy used "range lights" or any form of marking the Arkansas as a target?

I can't deny it sounds plausible, but does anyone have documentation of it?

As a believer in the old saying that "form follows function" it would be interesting to know just what types of ordnance this type night assistance would be useful for. My inclination is to think that it would be most useful if the Union forces intended to use mortar fire at night to keep Arkansas' crew awake and/or force them to move her moorings frequently. On the other hand, I presume that she was moored on the east side of the river and it might be possible for Confederate counterfire at night using the reverse bearing to shake up the Union batteries.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

I presume that she was moored on the east side of the river and it might be possible for Confederate counterfire at night using the reverse bearing to shake up the Union batteries.

If lanterns were used, I would imagine that they were shielded on the side facing the Confederates to prevent this from happening.