Red Lights & Warships: A Visit to the USS Intrepid
On a recent trip to New York City, we had the chance to visit one of the most iconic aircraft carriers in the world — the USS Intrepid. Docked permanently at Pier 86 on the west side of Manhattan, this World War II-era vessel now serves as the centerpiece of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. For anyone interested in naval history, aviation, or maritime engineering, the Intrepid is a must-see.
Commissioned in 1943, the USS Intrepid (CV-11) served in some of the most critical battles of the Pacific Theater. She survived five kamikaze attacks, a torpedo strike, and went on to serve during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Later, she played a role in NASA’s recovery missions for Mercury and Gemini spaceflights. After being decommissioned for the final time in 1974, she was saved from scrapping and transformed into the floating museum she is today.
What Stands Out: All Those Red Lights
As we explored the ship, one thing stood out to us — the sheer number of red lights lining passageways, compartments, and control areas. To the casual visitor, these might seem like just a dramatic lighting choice. But as salvage folks, we knew better — and it reminded us of a question we get all the time at our warehouse:
“Why do you have so many red globes in stock?”
It turns out, there’s a very good reason ships like the Intrepid — and countless other vessels — rely on red lighting.
Why Red Lights on Ships?
Red lighting is used aboard ships to preserve night vision. In dark or low-light environments, such as during nighttime operations or battle conditions, red light allows crew members to see their surroundings while maintaining their ability to see in the dark outside. White lights can cause the pupils to contract and ruin night vision for up to 30 minutes, which is time sailors often don’t have to spare.
So on ships like the Intrepid, red lights were crucial in everything from navigating dark corridors to maintaining readiness at night. You’ll find them in chart rooms, bridge areas, and berthing compartments — basically anywhere that required situational awareness during nighttime ops.
From Warship to Warehouse
At Big Ship Salvage, we’ve recovered hundreds of red globe lights from decommissioned ships — ranging from freighters to naval support vessels. And now, seeing so many in use aboard the Intrepid just reinforces why they’re such a common piece in our collection.
Whether you’re looking for a functional red light for your dock or a statement piece with a story, these fixtures carry real maritime history. Check out our nautical wall lights or ceiling lights to find red globe lights for your own project! Make sure you follow us on social media like YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook to stay up to date on our latest adventure or to see more picture from the Intrepid! I have some videos to post as well.
