Calshot Lightship

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.