Lightship Sailors came about through the ideas and efforts of Marty Krzywicki (114/536, Pollock Rip Lightship- ‘58/’59) who worked for over a year to bring about the first reunion of this group in August of 1999.
The reunion was held in Quincy, MA and hosted by the Friends of Lightship Nantucket- 1 (WAL-612). Although small in number, only 27 lightship sailors in attendance, the interest generated was intense. A general meeting was held and various topics discussed. The organization was named “USCG LIGHTSHIP SAILORS ASSOCIATION.”
The next reunion was held in Baltimore, MD in October 2000, the “host” vessel being Lightship 116 (CHESAPEAKE). Officers were elected and a Board of Directors established.
Other reunions followed:
October 2001 in Port Huron MI, “host” vessel Lightship 103 (HURON)
August 2002 in New Bedford, MA, Lightship Sailors Memorial Dedication.
October 2003 in Lewes, DE, “host” vessel Lightship 118 (OVERFALLS)
October 2004 in Astoria, OR, “host” vessel Lightship 604 (COLUMBIA)
Next reunion, October 27, 28 & 29, 2005, Portsmouth, VA, “host” vessel Lightship 101/524 (PORTSMOUTH)
There is much work to be done getting things organized. We need to fine tune our constitution and by-laws, clearly define our objectives, create the necessary committees and assign various responsibilities. So you see, we are just barely “off the ground”. In June 2000 we became incorporated as a non-profit organization.
Lightships, of course, are a thing of the past. The last lightship station bit the dust in 1983. (Nantucket) Of the once mighty fleet of well over 100 ships, only a few remain. The many, perhaps thousands, of stalwart souls that manned those ships have dwindled as well. As we greet the new millennium it is sobering to realize that by the year 2100 there will be not one lightship sailor left and possibly not even one ship.
The purpose of Lightship Sailors Association then, is to preserve what we can of traditions and history of an era that spanned 1820 to 1983, with 179 ships that served 116 stations. The stations of course are now non-existent, and consist only of empty stretches of water marked by a buoy or perhaps not marked at all. The ships too are all but gone. Of that once proud and mighty fleet only 17 remain. Here too, Lightship Sailors are dedicated to preserving those remaining ships.
The Association is presently small but we are growing rapidly and take this opportunity to invite you to join us. As of August 2004 our ranks numbered over 600. Membership is NOT exclusively for past lightship crewmembers but open to ALL who are interested in lightships. Obviously, lightship personnel are a valued but a diminishing resource and we must look to the inevitable. The future of LSA lies with family, friends, volunteers, model builders, maritime historians and all others who recognize the priceless heritage of the little red ships.
Please take the time to look in on our web site at: Http://www.USCGLightshipSailors.ORG
If you are interested, or know someone who shares that interest, let us know. Write or email to the following:
Larry Ryan Jay McCarthy Rick Bennett
President, LSA Membership Director, LSA Secretary, LSA
3813 Nuevo Circle 15276 Lake Wisteria Road 25 Keswick Road
Colorado Springs, CO Delray Beach, FL Brockton, MA
80918 33484-4651 02302-1518
719-536-0366 561-495-1761 508-583-3953
Lryan8@aol.com jfment@bellsouth.net coasty@comcast.net
PLEASE PRINT THE MEMBERSHIP FORM (BELOW) AND FILL IT OUT.
USCG LIGHTSHIP SAILORS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Please take a moment to fill out your information on this form, for our records. (please print)
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Last Name:
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First Name:
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Middle, Initial or Nick Name: |
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Street Address:
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City: |
State: |
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APO or Address outside USA:
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ZIP: |
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Telephone Number:
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E mail Address: |
Year Born: (optional) |
USCG Lightship Sailor Veterans Please fill in below: DUES: $25.00
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Lightship Name
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Hull # |
LS Service Dates (From - To) |
Your Rank/Rate: (optional) |
Commanding Officer: |
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Lightship Name
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Hull # |
LS Service Dates (From - To) |
Your Rank/Rate: (optional) |
Commanding Officer: |
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Lightship Name
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Hull # |
LS Service Dates (From - To) |
Your Rank/Rate: (optional) |
Commanding Officer: |
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Association with any similar groups:
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Other Info: |
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LSA MEMBER Please fill in as it applies to you: DUES: $25.00
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Interest in Lightships:
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Other C. G. Assignment(s): |
Family / Friend: |
Association with any similar groups, Etc.: |
Submit any additional information you may wish, on a separate piece of paper.
Please enclose this form with your $25.00 check or money order, made out to the:
“USCG LIGHTSHIP SAILORS ASSOCIATION, Inc.”
Please mail to: Jay McCarthy
Thank you, LSA – Membership
Jay McCarthy 15276 Lake Wisteria Road
Membership Director Delray Beach, FL 33484-4651
USCG LIGHTSHIP SAILORS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Dues … there are (2) two categories:
Dues are to be paid with the submission of this application. Below are the current dues structure as voted upon by the Board Of Directors in July 2005.
The dues calendar year runs from January 1st. through December 31st.
USCG Lightship Sailor Veteran $25.00 per year.
The applicant certifies with this application that he is a Military Discharged USCG Veteran who served as part of the ships company on a commissioned Lightship of the U. S. Coast Guard.
LSA Member $25.00 per year.
Other USCG Veterans, family members, friends, and anyone that has an interest in Lightships, the men that sailed on them, Lightship history and its preservation.
Both of the above categories, USCGLSVet and LSA Member, will pay the same $25.00 Dues and share the same responsibilities. This includes having the opportunity to be heard and vote on all matters that come before the general membership, be part of a committee, in addition can be nominated and voted onto a Board Of Director position. There will be NO distinction between the two categories, other than their titles.
Mail the Membership Application Form, with a check or money order
Made payable to
Please direct all Membership questions to Jay McCarthy.
JOIN US ONLINE … Surf to: Http://www.USCGLightshipSailors.ORG our website address.
If you do not own a computer, check your local main branch of the Public Library. Many libraries have public access computers for Internet access, and they will help you get to the website.
Rick Bennett USCG Ret 71-91 (508) 583-3953
Secretary
25 Keswick Road Brockton, Ma. 02302-1518 coasty@comcast.net email
Nantucket I Lightship WLV-612 1982-1985 decommissioning crew.
Please check our web site for the latest reunion information.
2005 reunion to be held in Portsmouth, VA … October 27, 28 & 29, 2005
2006 reunion to be held in Seattle, WA … Information coming soon!
It is our intention to preserve and protect Lightships to the best of our ability, and to pass on knowledge to others searching for it. Be it with volunteer service, letter writing campaigns, knowledge from personal experiences or passing on photographs that we may have in our possession. It all serves to carry on the story of the Lightships, the men that sailed on them and the history that was written from their service. Members are asked to assist other members in search of knowledge, for you may very well be the one person that holds the key to a single piece of information needed in another's research.
LIGHTSHIPS REMAINING
Sixteen Lightships remain today, some in serious danger of being scrapped and removed from this list. They are:
1. LV-79 WAL-506 BARNEGAT, resting on the bottom, unrestored. Endangered.
2. LV-83 WAL-508 RELIEF, RENAMED SWIFTSURE, undergoing restoration.
3. LV-87 WAL-512 AMBROSE, new deck in 1995.
4. LV-101 WAL-524 PORTSMOUTH, dry berthed.
5. LV-103 WAL-526 HURON, dry berthed, well maintained and supported.
6. LV-107 WAL-529 WINTER QUARTER, interior gutted, replaced with offices.
7. LV-112, WAL-534 NANTUCKET, operational as of 1997.
8. LV-114, WAL-536 PORTLAND, RENAMED NEW BEDFORD, unrestored, endangered.
9. LV-115, WAL-537 FRYING PAN, aft mast missing, entertainment complex.
10. LV-116, WAL-538 CHESAPEAKE, National monument.
11. LV-118, WAL-539 CORNFIELD, RENAMED OVERFALLS, being restored by
Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation.
12. WLV-604, COLUMBIA, National landmark, operational as of 1989.
15.WLV-605, RELIEF. U.S. Lighthouse Society. Excellent condition. Operational
On public display, Jack London SQ., Oakland, CA
13. WLV-612, NANTUCKET I, privately owned as of March 2000. Decommissioned 3-29-1985 as the last lightship in the U. S. Coast Guard. Last Lightship to serve a three-week tour on station. Interior refurbished.
14. WLV-613, NANTUCKET II, privately owned, operational as of 1999. Stood last six hours of duty on Nantucket Shoals. Refurbished
15. Lightship 196 in Ketchikan AK. Privately owned and used as a barracks for a logging company. More news as it develops.
16. Lightship 76/504 In use in Vancouver, Canada as a fishing vessel. Ongoing
Restoration in progress
So as you can see, we have a lot of work to do. Some of the above sixteen have already been saved, others need the opportunity. With your help maybe yet another Lightship will become a prize to behold.
Rick Bennett USCG Ret 71-91 (508) 583-3953
Secretary
25 Keswick Road Brockton, Ma. 02302-1518 coasty@comcast.net email
Nantucket I Lightship WLV-612 1982-1985 decommissioning crew.
2005 reunion Portsmouth, VA … October 27, 28 & 29, 2005
2006 reunion Seattle, WA. … Further information coming soon.
Copyright © 2003 U.S.C.G. Lightship Sailors Assoc. Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyrights also protected by the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998
Revised: 10/23/06.
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