QUOTE (JustDaniel @ Aug 5 17, 04:58 )
Thank you for the wonderful, well constructed sonnet, Ali. Thank you also for the information about the Minot Ledge Light. I did a bit of reading on in, inspired by your sonnet, and discovered that it is the most expensive lighthouse ever built in the US.
One thing I don't understand, though I read it again in my research, what the flashing sequence means. HOW does it flash that sequence. I can't yet wrap my mind around what it would LOOK like to me if I were on a ship or on shore seeing the sequence. Please explain.
deLighting in your sharing, Daniel
Hi Daniel, and thanks for the nice comment.
Goodness, how can I best explain your question? It’s about as difficult as explaining to my grandchildren why the sky is blue and not green—and believe me, I have tried that . . . .
Many lighthouses are still set up with the Fresnel lens that flashes its light in a particular sequence as an identification of the specific lighthouse to let the navigator or captain know where the ship would be. There are numerous sequences or codes for various lighthouses. Usually a lighthouse displays a group of flashes at 10 or 20 second intervals. Minot Ledge Lighthouse is rated as a group-flashing lighthouse, with a pause in between groups of flashes. Well, romantic couples were quick to adopt the signal as the personal message “I - l-o-v-e - y-o-u ----“ I haven't heard of any one changing it to I Hate You.
The signal of Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse flashing cycle 1-4-3, was adopted in 1894, and as said above, it’s flashing sequence is often referred to as “I Love You,” because the number of flashes correspond with the number of letters in that phrase.
I Love you.
1 Flash - 4 flashes - 3 flashes pause
1 letter 4 letters 3 letters
I hope this help? Thanks Daniel; I appreciate your comment very much.
Ali