THIS week in Down Memory Lane we visit the Grays waterfront to remember the well-known landmark the Gull lightship.

In fact, it is the Corporation of Trinity House light vessel No 38 on their ancient list and was built around 1860 to serve the safety of shipping and the well being of seafarers, this being the prime concerns ever since Trinity House was granted a Royal Charter by Henry VIII in 1514.

When No 38 first went on station, with her lantern and revolving light operated by clockwork (one flash 38ft above sea level could be seen from 10 miles away), she was also equipped with a fog gong and was permanently manned.

Lightshipmen were paid 55 shillings a month (in addition to drawing 1 shilling and 6p a week “in lieu of three gallons of small-beer”).

The vessels were supplied, and the crews relieved, once a month. It was also noted that “a general tone of decent, orderly and superior conduct” was observed, that the men were “very respectable, swearing being prohibited” and every man was supplied with a bible as well as “a library of varied and entertaining literature”.

By the start of the 20th century, Trinity House light vessels had a crew of 11, of whom seven would be on duty at any one time. It was an extremely demanding and dangerous profession and it would take 15 to 20 years to be promoted to master.

No 38 was rammed and sunk on March 18, 1929, by the City of York, resulting in the death of Captain Williams of the lightship.

She was raised and repaired and finally laid up in 1941, her job taken up by a light buoy.

She was bought in 1947 by the Thurrock Essex & Grays Yacht Club to be used as a clubhouse.

She was not used after the new land based clubhouse was opened in 1971 and slowly deteriorated until, in May 2009, she was broken up and her mast and lantern removed for restoration.

We will soon see the lantern and mast again on the Grays foreshore as a permanent feature.