YEAR BUILT: 1876

BUILT AT: Baltimore (MD)

BUILDER: ?

APPROPRIATION: None

CONTRACT PRICE: Transferred from Coast & Geodetic Survey to USLHS May 20, 1893

SISTER VESSELS: None

DESIGN: Two masted schooner converted for lightship use; composite hull, single lantern mast amidships

LENGTH: 80'6" (loa); BEAM: 19'6"; DRAFT: 10'8"; TONNAGE: 87 gross

PROPULSION: None

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: Single lantern having 8 oil lamps with reflectors

FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell

CONSTRUCTION NOTES -- MODIFICATIONS EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LV 97-
Formerly the 2 masted schooner DRIFT, built for and used by the Coast and Geodetic Survey 1876-1893, then modified for lightship service-
1913: Lighting equipment converted to electric operation using a 30 cp incandescent lamp with a motor driven revolving reflector mounted on a compound pendulum. The arrangement produced a flash every 10 seconds rated at 80,000 cp. Both lamp and drive motor were powered by storage batteries, taken ashore periodically for recharging. Said to have been the first light of this type in the world (although an arrangement similar in principle was used on LV 95 when built in 1912).-
1915: Following evaluation of foregoing illuminating apparatus, it was removed and replaced by a conventional lens lantern using oil--gas illuminant which remained in use until the vessel was retired

STATION ASSlGNMENTS: LV 97
1895-1911: Bush Bluff (VA)
1912-1918: Bush Bluff (VA)
(1911-1912, station replaced by lighted buoy April 17, 1911: reestablished 1912)
(Although apparently remaIning assigned to Bush Bluff, the vessel was used
extensively to mark a variety of other stations on lower Chesapeake Bay)
(1918 Bush Bluff station discontinued, replaced with lighted buoy)

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1918; AGE: 42 (22 years as lightship)

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Surveyed, condemned and laid up Jan 1918; Sold Apr 27, 1920

COMMANDING OFFICERS: LV 97

?-1913: John M Kendley, Mate
1913: Thomas Simonds, Mate
1913-1914: B W Diggs, Mate
1914: Gus Montague, Mate
1914-1915: P J Pusey, Mate
1915: George C Daniels, Mate
1915-?: James P Mason, Mate

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