Built as a wooden lightship by the Gaspard Malo yard in Dunkirk, France
Tonnage 150 tons, dim. 25 x 6.50m., length of keel 21 meter.
Hull copper sheathed.
Crew 1 Officer and 6 sailors, which were relieved after a month duty on the lightship.
1862 completed.
From 1863 anchored in the fairway entrance between Outer-Ruytingen and Inner Ruytingen near Dunkirk.
Height of light 10.5 meter.
Red painted hull with the name RUYTINGEN in large letters on the ships-sides.
The mast top carried a large red painted sphere, as seen on stamp.
During the night a crown of 8 lanterns surrounded the mast, which were hoisted up in the evening, the light was visible from all directions. In the morning the lights were lowered for refuelling and cleaning.
It was an intermittent light with a period of 30 seconds, visible at a distance of around 10 miles.
From 30 October 1872 until 15 April 1874 the RUYTINGEN was under repair and renewing her copper sheating.
1902 Scrapped.
At the Ruytingen position thereafter two other lightships were used one built in 1890 the other in 1938.
So far I know there is nowadays not any more a lightship in that position.
On Mali 1976 190f sg 565.
Source: Jean-Louis Araignon.