A maritime signalling instrument emitting a characteristic sound signal, used by seafarers to warn of an obstacle, a danger or simply their presence in foggy weather.
A maritime signalling instrument emitting a characteristic sound signal, used by seafarers to warn of an obstacle, a danger or simply their presence in foggy weather.
The Angelus of the Sea (A678), the engravings of which were redone by the museum, the Sables d'or (A995), the Joséphine (A27), the Credo (A655) and the one of a tuna boat sunk by a German U-boat torpedo (A513)
There are also more recent metal foghorns in the "hand pump" model.
On foggy days, the sound signal allows the boats to warn of their presence. The triggering of the foghorn is left to the discretion of the skipper.
Even today, in the age of electronics, it is still useful. You never know if all the equipment on other ships is in working order. The foghorn, an acoustic tool, works in all conditions. Most importantly, it allows other vessels to receive and understand the message sent, regardless of their level of equipment.
La corne de brume peut également servir quand il n'y a plus de brume. Lorsque la visibilité est normale, les signaux ont alors un autre sens. Ils peuvent par exemple être utiles aux bateaux qui en rattrapent un autre et permettent l'envoi de messages comme : "je viens sur bâbord", "je bats en arrière".