The ball vent sits on top of the dome. It is topped by a lightening rod. Some lighthouses have wind vanes added to the top. This vane assisted the keeper in determining wind direction.The dome is made of metal and may be copper clad. It is topped by a ball vent through which air passes. The ball vent is topped by a lightening rod. Sometimes a wind vane is added on top to assist the keeper in determining wind direction. The wind direction determines which vents are opened.For many years the “lens” was open to the weather, no glass storm panes. It was the area where an open fire burned. Near the end of the 17th century glass storm panes were added. In the 18th century parabolic reflectors were installed. In 1820 the Fresnel (“fray-nell”) lens was invented which was powered by a single source of light.The glass window panes are called storm panes. The storm panes are set in metal frames. The metal frames can be either vertical or diagonal. Hand holds were installed on the exterior side for the keeper to grip while cleaning the outsides of the storm panes. The glass window panes are called storm panes. The storm panes are set in metal frames. The metal frames can be either vertical or diagonal. Hand holds were installed on the exterior side for the keeper to grip while cleaning the outsides of the storm panes.The lantern room is that portion of the top of a lighthouse tower that encloses the lens. Often the lantern room is a metal and glass room that sits on a brick, masonry, or wooden tower. The Watch or Service Room was the location of the clockworks (for rotating lens), fuel, and vents. It was in the Service Room that the keeper prepared the lantern for the coming night.The balcony surrounding the lantern room is called a gallery. Lighthouse towers were constructed to raise or elevate the light from the lens to a greater distance at sea.Ball Vent Dome Lens Window Pane Window Pane Lantern Room Gallery Watch or Service Room Main Gallery (Balcony) Tower
The Lighthouse


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