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All the United Kingdom England Southampton Calshot Lightship
AO Edited

Calshot Lightship

This bright ship once guided vessels towards the Port of Southampton.

Southampton, England

Added By
Will
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LV78 in Ocean Village.   Rémi Kaupp / CC BY-SA 3.0
LV78 in Ocean Village.   Rémi Kaupp / CC BY-SA 3.0
LV78 sat on the docks near the Ocean Terminal.   Chris McAuley / CC BY-SA 2.0
LV78 undergoing the start of her restoration at Solent Sky.   ITookSomePhotos / CC0 1.0
LV78 in operation off Calshot Spit.   Murgatroyd49 / CC BY-SA 4.0
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About

This bright red ship used to mark the entrance to Southampton Water, a tidal estuary north of the Isle of Wight in England. It was strategically placed to help guide ships around Calshot Spit, is a low-lying sandbank in the Solent. In the early mid-19th century, records show a lightship was anchored just off of Calshot to ensure no ships ran aground and could navigate safely.

In 1914, Light Vessel 78 was constructed, primarily using iron as opposed to wood, the ship became part of the new era of lightships. Until the end of World War II, the vessel was stationed in the Thames Estuary before finally moving to become the Calshot Light Vessel in 1948.

In 1989, the vessel was retired and moved to the Ocean Village Marina in Southampton. However, redevelopment of the area soon threatened to send the ship to the scrapyard. The community came to the ships rescue, quickly raising funds to save it.

In 2010, the ship was moved to the dockside near the Ocean Terminal. Finally, in 2019, the lightship was carefully moved down the road to the Solent Sky Museum where it is now being restored.

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The LV78 can be seen from the road.

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Added By

willfaulkner

Published

March 7, 2025

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Sources
  • https://lighthouseaccommodation.co.uk/listings/lv78-calshot-spit-lightvessel/
  • https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24535407.history-calshot-spit-lightvessel-historic-marvel/
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-50742763
  • https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/144/light-vessel-78-calshotspit
Calshot Lightship
151 Albert Rd S
Southampton, England, SO14 3FR
United Kingdom
50.897963, -1.392641
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miles away

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Photo of Southampton

Southampton

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Places 11

Nearby Places

Canute Chambers Plaque

Southampton, England

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Southampton

Southampton

England

Places 11

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