US NAVY SEARCHLIGHT / SIGNAL LAMP

Total Bids Placed:

Condition

The searchlight is in a neat unrestored condition. As far as we know, it is complete including the manual. All manually operated mechanical parts work, as can also be seen in the videos. It has some rust spots here and there and a dent in the tailgate (also visible in the photos, the mirror is intact), but no major damage. Furthermore, a few small things such as missing bakelite handles and a locking latch that is stuck and needs to be made operable. Considering its age, it is in good condition. Any restoration would mainly involve cleaning and electrical connection. No major repairs needed.

History

USES OF NAVAL SEARCHLIGHTS DURING WWII

This type of signaling and searchlight was used on WW II warships, for example the ‘Destroyer Escort’ (DE). The Destroyer Escort was the United States Navy mid-20th-century classification for a 20-knot (37 km/h; 23 mph) warship designed with the endurance necessary to escort mid-ocean convoys of merchant marine ships.

Ships used a day or night system of sending Morse Code signals via flashing light, using 12″ and 24″ signal lamps. This was a rapid way of communicating but was rarely used at night for fear that the light would reveal one’s position to the enemy. Infrared hooded lenses were used to mask the bright lights of the signal lamps; to limit their visibility.

These lights were designed for signaling, visual search, navigation and even fire control. This light was equipped with a handle on each side of the barrel for left or right handed operators to send visual (light) Morse code. The 24-inch carbon arc was very brilliant and the signals (at night) could be bounced off the cloud cover and around the curvature of the earth. It has been told in visual communicators circles that a Morse signal sent by light has been confirmed (by radar) to have been sent up to a distance of two ships 80 miles apart!

The 24-inch searchlight is a general purpose light and although it may be used for fire control purposes, generally it is used for long range signaling. These searchlights are not equipped with remote control for train and elevation. The light sometimes is equipped with the remote control signal key. This lamp has both the iris and vane type shutter.

Check for a complete story of the General Electric signaling light on the USS Slater: https://ussslater.org/signal-bridge

REQUIREMENTS OF A NAVY SEARCHLIGHT

A Navy searchlight must have a narrow, pencil-like light beam. The light must be non-flickering and of a’bluish white color. It must operate properly from any position, under all weather conditions, and give trouble-free operation over a long period of time. The train and elevation characteristics of most lights are: train through 360°, elevation of 110° to 120°, and depression of 30° to 40°.

THEORY OF CARBON ARC SEARCHLIGHT

When an electric current at a moderate voltage is passed through two carbon rods, considerable heat is developed at the point of contact. Now if the carbon rods are separated a short distance a flaming arc will be drawn out. The act of making contact between the two carbons is necessary to start the arc and is called ‘striking the arc’. When contact first occurs, a high current flows through the carbons. The high current produces heat which vaporizes the soft center of the positive carbon. This vapor acts as a conductor for the current as the carbons are drawn apart and will keep the current flowing until the distance between the carbons becomes too great. As the distance between the carbons increases the resistance of the arc circuit increases. The carbon vapor concentrates as a small ball in a depression in the positive carbon. This depression is called the ‘crater’. This ball of flaming gas in the crater is intensely luminous and is located at the focus of the reflector. The reflector thus projects the light from the arc crater into a beam of light, just as the reflector in your automobile projects the light from the lamp filament into a light beam. High intensity arcs work on the same principle as low intensity types except that the current is increased and the diameter of the carbon decreased, to obtain a more brilliant and concentrated source of light.

The carbon lamp was designed for operation in series with rheostat (which was mounted below deck) from a d-c source of 105 to 125 volts.

The arc current had to be adjusted for 75 to 80 amperes with 65 to 70 volts across the arc. One set of carbons would burn approximately 1 ž hours.

Technical

Manufacturer: General Electric
Model: 93113, 24-inch carbon arc
Manufacturing date: 1944
Height: 6 ft (1,82 m)
Width: 4 ft (1,22 m)
Depth: 3 ft (0,91 m)
Weight: 800 lb (363 kg)
Diameter (beam): 24 in (0,61 m)
Range (beam): Up to 80 mi (128 km)
Train: 360°
Elevation: 110° to 120°
Depression: 30° to 40°
Current: 105 to 125 volts
Crew: 1

Note to Buyers

OCATION

The location of any Lot is indicated with the specific lot number. Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder / Buyer.

INSPECTION(S)/ VIEWING DAYS

Viewing days are available for this lot. Check the viewing days page for specific information about time, dates, location and conditions.

Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

Bidding Open: Friday April 19 2024 00:00 CET (Dutch American Friendship Day),

Bidding Ends:

Saturday April 20 2024 (Part 1 vehicles)

TIMES

Amsterdam NL (CET): 06:00 PM (18:00)

London: 05:00 PM (17:00)

New York USA: 12:00 AM (12:00)

Sydney AUS: 04:00 AM (04:00),next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

PARTS, ACCESSOIRIES & MILITARIA

The batches of spare parts, various accessories and militaria are sold in as-is condition and delivered without any guarantee of functioning.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

ARMS & WEAPONS

The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.

If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only!

MARGIN/ VAT

However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

COLLECTION

Due to our participation in the commemorations of D-DAY in Normandy France collection of all lots is scheduled for the period June 17 till 28 2024. However, for buyers who want to participate with their purchased lot at the 80th Anniversary Commemorations in Normandy this can of course be deviated from. In such a case please let us know soonest.
import and export

Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

DELIVERY

Removal of lots must be completed by June 28 2024 after full payment and 100% coverage of all legal requirements. No storage fees will be applicable until that date.

Shipping and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that!

STORAGE

Lots not picked up by Buyers before June 28 2024 will be returned to secure storage at Buyer’s expense. In this case storage fees will be applied as follows:

Parts & accessories: € 25,- / lot / week.

Cars and motorcycles: € 50,- / lot / week.

Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons etc. € 75,- / lot / week.

Listed storage fees excluding 21% VAT.

NOTE

If you have any specific questions, please contact us either by telephone (+31 6 518 22 502) or E-mail ([email protected]). We are happy to help and support you through the entire process. We will do our utmost to please and comfort you.
So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

GENERAL CONDITIONS

All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website.