How Do Lighthouses Help Ships Navigate?

A lighthouse is like a giant flashlight on top of a cliff or island. When it’s dark, the light from the lighthouse shines far out to sea, helping ships know where they are and how close they are to land. It’s like having a friendly guide in the dark who says, 'You’re doing great, keep going!'

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Examples

A ship sees a flashing light on the shore and knows it’s close to land.
A lighthouse blinks like a heartbeat, helping sailors tell which one they’re seeing.
A small boat follows the white beam of a lighthouse until it reaches the harbor.

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Categories: History · navigation,maritime history,lighthouse