1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VIII.: Edward Gilbert
120. GILBERT, EDWARD, Falmouth.
Registered marine signal lamp, which yields a light equal to a blue light. The wick, which is chiefly composed of metal, may be used for a very long period.
This lamp (represented in the fig.) consists of a metal vessel of about the size of a two or three pint measure; it may be made of tin-plate or copper. It has a cover to prevent the waste or evaporation of the material used for producing the light, to which the wick is attached. In this vessel is suspended by the cover, a coil of metallic wire, interwoven or coiled with cotton or any other fibrous matter, for the purpose of holding a portion of the inflammable spirit, which may be either turpentine or any other of the well-known inflammable liquids. The metallic wick is held in the hand whilst exhibiting, and be carried to any part of the ship without injury or danger, or may be swung rapidly round with the arm; thus forming a large circle of flame resembling a wheel rocket.