Oil lanterns

The warm glow of a traditional paraffin lamp adds a unique touch to any setting, whether it is illuminating a cosy corner of your home, or bringing a touch of nautical history to a ship’s cabin. These enduring lamps, with their fantastic appearance and nostalgic charm, are still highly sought after. They are not only inexpensive to run, but also incredibly durable, with many believing they only grow more beautiful with age.

The story of the paraffin lamp dates back to the 19th century, with the Polish chemist Ignacy Lukasiewicz often credited with its invention. A well-maintained oil lamp burns cleanly without producing soot, which relies on correctly managing the air supply. Too little air causes the lamp to soot, while too much air results in a blue flame with limited light output. When lighting the wick for the first time, it is important to lightly moisten it with lamp oil to ensure that the oil burns, and not the wick itself.

On board a ship, most lamps have a specific functional name. The essential anchor lamp must be visible for 360 degrees over several miles and must be lit as soon as the ship is at anchor.

The Clipper lamp, named after the fast and beautiful 19th-century Clipper ships, is a prime example of a paraffin lamp that has retained its popularity. Its timeless and elegant design is likely the main reason for its enduring appeal.

Every sailor knows the difference between a green starboard lamp and a red port lamp, just as they are familiar with anchor lamps, masthead lamps, and cargo lamps. From the front, a ship is typically equipped with three lamps: starboard, port, and the masthead lamp.

The terms starboard and port originate from the Viking longships. Starboard was the side where the helmsman placed his rudder, on the right side in the direction of sailing. Port, the red lamp, is on the left side, behind the helmsman’s back. An old sailor's rule states that if a sailor confused the two sides, a slap with the left hand could make the cheek red, visually and tangibly reminding him of the red port side.

A masthead lamp, also known as a top lamp, is, of course, positioned on the mast. A motor-driven vessel must display white light at the masthead, in contrast to a sailing ship. This distinction allows the type of ship to be identified at night.