Lighter (barge)
: "For other uses, see
Lighter (disambiguation) ".A lighter is a type of flat-bottomed
barge used to transfer goods to and from moored ships. Lighters were traditionally unpowered and were moved and steered using long oars called "sweeps", with their motive power provided by water currents. They were operated by highly skilled workers calledlightermen and were a characteristic sight in London's docks until about the 1960s, when technological changes madelightering largely redundant.The name itself is of uncertain origin, but is believed to possibly derive from an old Dutch or German word, "lichten" (to lighten or unload). In Dutch, the word "lichter" is still used for (smaller) ships that take over goods from larger ships.
The word "lighter" is still used in the modern ship type:
Lighter Aboard Ship (LASH).The lighter barge gave rise to the 'Lighter Tug'- a small, maneuverable type of harbour tug. Lighter Tugs (themselves often simply referred to as 'lighters') are designed for towing lighter barges. As such, they are smaller than a traditional harbour tug and lack the power or equipment to handle large ships.
Loading large ships
Lighters, albeit powered ones, are proposed to be used in 2007 at
Port Lincoln andWhyalla in South Australia to loadCapesize ships which are too big for the shallower waters nearer the shore.
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Lighter (disambiguation) — A lighter is a hand held device for creating a flame.Lighter can also be:* Lighter (barge) * Lighter than air * Lighteringee also* Light * Liter * Weight … Wikipedia
lighter — lighter1 [līt′ər] n. a person or thing, as a mechanical or electrical device, that lights something or starts it burning [a cigarette lighter; charcoal lighter] lighter2 [līt′ər] n. [LME < MDu lichter < lichten, to make light, unload <… … English World dictionary
Lighter — Light er, n. [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See {Light} not heavy.] (Naut.) A large boat or barge, mainly used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery. [1913 Webster] {Lighter screw} (Mach … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Lighter screw — Lighter Light er, n. [D. ligter, fr. ligt light. See {Light} not heavy.] (Naut.) A large boat or barge, mainly used in unloading or loading vessels which can not reach the wharves at the place of shipment or delivery. [1913 Webster] {Lighter… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
lighter — Ⅰ. lighter [1] ► NOUN ▪ a device producing a small flame, used to light cigarettes. Ⅱ. lighter [2] ► NOUN ▪ a flat bottomed barge used to transfer goods to and from ships in harbour. ORIGIN from LIGHT … English terms dictionary
barge — [n] large work boat ark, canal boat, dory, flatboat, freight ship, lighter, raft, scow; concept 506 … New thesaurus
Barge — For other uses, see Barge (disambiguation). Barges towed by a tugboat on the River Thames in London, England, United Kingdom A barge is a flat bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of … Wikipedia
Lighter aboard ship — The lighter aboard ship (LASH) system refers to the practice of loading barges (lighters) aboard a larger vessel for transport. It was developed in response to a need to transport lighters, a type of unpowered barge, between inland waterways… … Wikipedia
barge — /bahrj/, n., v., barged, barging. n. 1. a capacious, flat bottomed vessel, usually intended to be pushed or towed, for transporting freight or passengers; lighter. 2. a vessel of state used in pageants: elegantly decorated barges on the Grand… … Universalium
lighter — lighter1 /luy teuhr/, n. 1. a person or thing that lights or ignites. 2. a mechanical device used in lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes for smoking. [1545 55; LIGHT1 + ER1] lighter2 /luy teuhr/, n. 1. a large, open, flat bottomed barge, used… … Universalium
