eBay Tuesday: Opticon Distress Marker Light

Among the defense industries in southeastern Connecticut, one small company made equipment to help save the lives of military personnel.

Today's featured item is a distress beacon made by the New London based defense contractor Opticon. It is offered by eBay user Dave Palmer. 

Another light survives with a note identifying its purpose as a distress marker light. The light can be pinned to clothing and has settings for turning it on, off, or to a flash on and off. Although modern versions are smaller and more compact, they serve the same purpose: to produce a high visibility beacon to alert rescuers.

Opticon was formerly located on Trumbull Street. As the name suggests, it specialized in optical equipment such as magnifying lenses. Founded by the Foss family, the company closed as defense contracts became more scarce and the nearby Naval Undersea Warfare Center shut down. 

The waterfront site, however, was ideally situated for a new kind of business. The family shifted their focus to manufacturing lobster traps and distributing seafood. The company remains at the peninsula to this day as New London Seafood Distributors. 

The beacon's bulb is on longer functional and the light measures four and three-eighths inches long. The starting bid is $5.99, with $5.95 for shipping. The auction ends at about 3:10 p.m. on Friday.

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