A ship's lantern is a robust, weatherproof lamp made for use aboard ship, either as a navigation light showing the vessel's position and heading or for lighting the deck, cabin, hold or engine room. Most surviving examples were made in copper, brass or galvanised steel in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Navigation lanterns are fitted with thick glass lenses, often Fresnel-type, and coloured red for port, green for starboard, or clear for masthead and stern lights, while anchor lights show white all round. Many bear makers' plates, brass labels indicating their position on the vessel, and inspection or Board of Trade stamps. Originally lit by oil, many were later converted to electricity, and others were made electric from the start. Hand lanterns, bulkhead lights and cargo lamps form related categories. Collectors value original lenses, makers' plates, good patina and evidence of genuine marine use, whereas modern decorative copies, often with inaccurate details, are widespread. Before use indoors or outdoors, any fitting should be professionally rewired and tested. Ship's lanterns make characterful lights for porches, gardens, boathouses, kitchens and seaside homes, bringing an authentic maritime character to their surroundings.
