How Does a ‘Lighthouse’ Help Ships Stay on Course?

Lighthouses help ships stay on course by shining bright lights that sailors can see from far away. Imagine a giant flashlight on the beach, it blinks or stays on all night so boats know where they are, even when it's dark and stormy. This helps sailors not crash into rocks or get lost at sea.

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Examples

A lighthouse like the one on Cape Cod shines brightly so boats can see where they are, even in the dark.
Sailors use the blinking lights of a lighthouse to stay on track when waves are high and it's hard to see the shore.
The light from a lighthouse acts like a giant flashlight that helps ships find their way home.

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Categories: History · navigation,lighthouse history,maritime technology