ˈlightship
[f. light n.]
A vessel bearing a light, esp. one with a warning light or lights moored where a lighthouse cannot conveniently be placed; a floating light.
| 1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer. II. 11 The office of the light-ship is to tow vessels in the dark through the strait. 1870 Daily News 2 Sept. 3 The visitors to Ramsgate..have had an opportunity afforded them of seeing the far-famed Goodwin lightship at close quarters. |
attrib. and Comb.
| 1887 Chambers's Jrnl. 1 Jan. 1 (title) The lightshipman. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 8 Oct. 9/2 The light-ship men were unable to come on shore. 1905 Daily Chron. 10 Oct. 4/5 Such strictures upon the lightship keepers' employment would hold equally with reference to the crews of say the light vessels off the Scilly Islands. 1958 W. Armstrong True Bk. Lighthouses & Lightships xiii. 131 ‘Better be safe than sorry’ was always the unspoken motto of lighthouse and lightship men. |