Triton Light
Encyclopedia
The Triton Light is a navigational beacon
on the seawall of the United States Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Maryland
, where the Severn River
meets Spa Creek and the Annapolis harbor. It was donated to the Academy and named for the Greek god
by the Class of 1945. It is not only an important part of the culture and traditions of the Naval Academy, but also is a trusted navigational point in Annapolis Harbor (e.g.).
About a year after the light was installed, USS Triton (SSN-586) completed her historic submerged circumnavigation
. Considering the coincidence of names, the crew of Triton provided samples of water from the 22 sea
s through which their boat had passed, which were used to fill a globe built into the light.
The characteristics of this light are FL (4+5) G 30s, that is Flashing Green light 4x, then 5x, every 30 seconds. The characteristics of the odd number sequence is unique, an honor to commemorate the Class of 1945.
The seawall on the Severn River from Triton Light north-west to the end of Simms Rd at College Creek is exactly 1/2 nautical mile, thus it is frequently used to calibrate speed instruments on boats.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
on the seawall of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, where the Severn River
Severn River (Maryland)
The Severn River runs through Anne Arundel County in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is located south of the Magothy River, and north of the South River.-Geography:...
meets Spa Creek and the Annapolis harbor. It was donated to the Academy and named for the Greek god
Triton (mythology)
Triton is a mythological Greek god, the messenger of the big sea. He is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, whose herald he is...
by the Class of 1945. It is not only an important part of the culture and traditions of the Naval Academy, but also is a trusted navigational point in Annapolis Harbor (e.g.).
About a year after the light was installed, USS Triton (SSN-586) completed her historic submerged circumnavigation
Circumnavigation
Circumnavigation – literally, "navigation of a circumference" – refers to travelling all the way around an island, a continent, or the entire planet Earth.- Global circumnavigation :...
. Considering the coincidence of names, the crew of Triton provided samples of water from the 22 sea
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...
s through which their boat had passed, which were used to fill a globe built into the light.
The characteristics of this light are FL (4+5) G 30s, that is Flashing Green light 4x, then 5x, every 30 seconds. The characteristics of the odd number sequence is unique, an honor to commemorate the Class of 1945.
The seawall on the Severn River from Triton Light north-west to the end of Simms Rd at College Creek is exactly 1/2 nautical mile, thus it is frequently used to calibrate speed instruments on boats.