Changes

A '''Lighthouse''' is a structure, built on or near a shore, which displays a light of distinct properties to serve as an aid to navigation, and guide ships to port entries or harbors.  Smaller lights may be displayed from fixed structures called beacons, from floating buoys or lightships.

A '''Lighthouse''' is a structure, built on or near a shore, which displays a light of distinct properties to serve as an aid to navigation, and guide ships to port entries or harbors.  Smaller lights may be displayed from fixed structures called beacons, from floating buoys or lightships.

The meanings of the light color or pattern of blinking displayed by lighthouses are given in light lists available to mariners and, in abbreviated form, on navigation charts. Some lights have one or more sectors in which the light appears red, usually to warn of some danger in its area, such as rocks or shoals. In other sectors most lights are white.

The meanings of the light color or pattern of blinking displayed by lighthouses are given in light lists available to mariners and, in abbreviated form, on navigation charts. Some lights have one or more sectors in which the light appears red, usually to warn of some danger in its area, such as rocks or shoals. In other sectors most lights are white.<ref>Lighthouse Directory[http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/]</ref>

In the past most Lighthouses were maintained by "Light Keepers" whose responsibility was to keep the light lit during hours of darkness or storm. Lights were originally lit by [[wood]], [[oil]] or [[coal]] fires. In the early 20th Century most were switched over to electric light and the need for Light Keepers diminished greatly.  Today only a handful of Light Keepers exist.<ref>US-Lighthouses.com[http://www.us-lighthouses.com/]</ref>

In the past most Lighthouses were maintained by "Light Keepers" whose responsibility was to keep the light lit during hours of darkness or storm. Lights were originally lit by [[wood]], [[oil]] or [[coal]] fires. In the early 20th Century most were switched over to electric light and the need for Light Keepers diminished greatly.  Today only a handful of Light Keepers exist.<ref>US-Lighthouses.com[http://www.us-lighthouses.com/]</ref>