robertsball

We will award (at our own expense), half a dozen (virtual) sticky buns to the first person who tells us what exactly the Type ZW1 does and what is the application that the Commissioners of Irish Lights may have put it to?

“AI Overview
The images depict a double diaphragm submarine emitter, labeled as Type ZW1, with a sound output of 250 watts. Figure 31 shows a diagram of the emitter, highlighting its internal components marked A and B. Figure 32 is a photograph of the emitter itself.”

Wild guess, is this attached to a ship to identify itself to a submarine that it caries medical or other non hostile supplies?

Suck Diesel Plausible, but I would need some evidence.

Of course, ‘submarine’ just means underwater, not necessarily a U-boat.
I don’t think that Irish Lights has anything to do with U-boats so this device is used to emit a sound underwater, but purpose unknown

A rather distant Streetview.

The lighthouse itself is from 1835, per the NIAH

Wikipedia says: A bell was established at Roche's Point in 1864 to warn mariners in poor visibility. This was replaced by a siren fog signal on 1 December 1898. The fog signal changed again in 1949 when a diaphone was installed with a character of one two-second blast every thirty seconds. In 1995 when the lighthouse was automated an electric fog signal (ELG 300–04) replaced the diaphone. This electric fog signal was connected to a fog detector which activated the fog signal if visibility fell below three nautical miles. The electric fog signal had a range of four nautical miles. On 11 January 2011 the Commissioners of Irish Lights, despite much opposition, discontinued all Irish fog signals. This brought an end to a long era of fog signaling at Roche's Point. I think it is likely we are looking at the engine/compressor for the 1898 fog signal.

Niall McAuley Sounds good to me.

Here is a page about Campbell engines. The example on that page runs on "1.15 pounds of Russoline oil per hp per hour". Googling Russoline oil does not tell me much except that it was a Russian petroleum oil: The ordinary burning oils sold in Britain are American oils, Royal Daylight, Ordinary, Water White, and Tea Rose. The Russian oils are Russoline and Russian Lustre. The paraffin oils are Broxbourne Lighthouse, Young's paraffin oil, and similar oils by many other makers.

Previously ... Reverse-ish view (from SS 'Irene II' ?) showing the OLD lighthouse And lots of details here -

The name of this image from the Mizzen head visitor centre also confirms "SS Irene"

Like how they are drying a few jumpers on the forward rigging.

A close run thing witnessed from the rock and the SS Irene. Reported widely, this is from the Sheffield Evening Telegraph on Saturday 13 July 1901

THE FASTNET ROCK. PASSENGER STEAMER'S NARROW ESCAPE Crookhaven correspondent telegraphs:—At about three yesterday a large passenger steamer, westward bound, had a miraculous escape from total wreck on the Fastnet, and was saved only through the prompt and decisive action on board, the lifting of the fog at tho nick of time, and by the praiseworthy conduct the light keepers and men the Fastnet rock. The steamer Irene, Captain Fleming, of the Irish Lights, was close the at the time, engaged in connection with the building of the new lighthouse, when those on board were horrified to see a large four-masted passenger steamer coming from the east full on the little Fastnet. The light keepers discharged the alarm gun quickly as possible twice in quick succession, and signalled urgent danger. Before the vessel could slowed or reversed she had, however, apparently touched the rock, she was seen to list to starboard and then to port, and all those who were looking feared serious disaster. The rock referred to is about 400 yards east-south-east of the Fastnet rock, and low tide has only about two fathoms of water over it. No serious damage happened, as she proceeded on her voyage apparently uninjured. It had also transpired that a week before a similar accident nearly occurred to a larger passenger steamer homeward bound. About 11 o'clock she touched the Fastnet on the west side, and a disaster was averted only by the discharge of the Fastnet alarm gun.

Wrecked at Grimness in 1969 in the Orkneys. The Longhope lifeboat had launched to assist and overturned with the loss of 8 crew in 60 foot waves. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/orkney-lifeboat-tragedy... And some photos of the wreck. photos.orkneycommunities.co.uk/search.asp