Follow the bouncing ball on this one! Blue ball is the explanation for # 12 or LV 22. is the explanation for LV 12 (2)

YEAR BUILT: 1835?

BUILT AT: ?

APPROPRIATION: None

BUILDER: ?

CONTRACT PRICE: Purchase/conversion costs unknown

SISTER VESSELS: None

DESIGN: Wood framed & planked - (Built as the supply vessel GUTHRIE and later converted for use as a lightship

LENGTH: 64', BEAM: 20', DRAFT: 86", TONNAGE: "about 150"

PROPULSION: Sail?

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: Single lantern with 8 lard oil lamps

FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell and horn

CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LVl2 (1)-
Former supply vessel GUTHRIE; converted for use as lightship

STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 12 (1)
?-1871 Eel Grass Shoal (CT)

HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 12 (1) - GUTHRIE-
Prior to 1871 occupied Eel Grass Shoal (CT)-
1871 withdrawn and replaced by "new" LV 12
(The former supply ship GUTHRIE was converted to lightship use and later designated   #12. She was replaced by a second lightship numbered 12 which had originally been numbered 22

(See LV 12 (2) for further information)

More notes:

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1871 AGE: 64?

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Sold during 1871 - $322.87

YEAR BUILT: 1846

BUILT AT: Philadelphia, PA

APPROPRIATION: ??

BUILDER: ??

CONTRACT PRICE: Purchase/conversion costs unknown

SISTER VESSELS: None

DESIGN: Wood, white oak and locust; copper & galvanized iron fastenings; two masts; lantern and square daymark on foremast only.

LENGTH: 72', BEAM: 20' 6", DRAFT: 9' 7", TONNAGE: 159 gross

PROPULSION: Sail-schooner rig

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: Single lantern on foremast; 8 lard oil lamps w/ reflectors

FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell

CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LVl2 (II):

-1867: Metal sheathing repaired due to ice damage, broken fog bell replaced
-1868/69: Major overhaul at Norfolk, Virginia; supplied with one 2,800 pound mushroom anchor & 90 fathoms of 1 x 3/4" chain for use "in case of emergency."
-1871: Repairs at Staten Island, New York, upon transfer to Third District
-1874: Extensive repairs ($16,488); fitted with two new mushroom anchors & 185 fathoms of chain
-1880: July, extensive hull repairs, new lantern mast, re-rigged
-1883: General overhaul
-1891: Reported in poor condition, structurally weak from rot

STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 12 (II):

-1846-?:  Relief, Fifth District
-1863-1864:  York Spit (VA)
-1864-1870:  Wolf Trap Shoal (VA); (numbered LV-22 in 1867)
-1871-1872:  Eel Grass Shoal (CT); (renumbered LV-12 in 1871)
-1872-1882:  Cornfield Point (CT)
-1884-1885:  Relief (CT)
-1885-1901:  Hog Island Shoal (RI)
-1901-1903:  Relief (CT); laid up

HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 12 (II):

-1846:  Identified as "Relief" until she was assigned the hull number LV-22 in 1867 while on Wolf Trap station.
-1864:  On York Spit, VA, during the Civil War, "facilitating Army transport movement."
-1864, Aug 2: removed from York Spit and placed on Wolf Trap Shoal.
-1871, Jun:  lightship station discontinued upon activation of Wolf Trap Light; LV-22, was transferred to the Third District for relief duty.
-1871:  Placed on Eel Grass Shoal, CT, replacing the "old" LV-12/GUTHRIE; and was then renumbered from LV-22 to LV-12 by the Lighthouse Board.  Later carried off station by ice.
-1872:  Moved to Cornfield Point, CT.
-1875:  Carried off station by ice.
-1882:  Moved to Eel Grass Shoal.
-1884:  Station discontinued upon activation of the Latimers Reef Light.  LV-12 then assigned to "Relief" duty and was stationed at New London, CT.
-1886, Aug 14:  placed on Hog Island Shoal, RI, replacing a private aid to navigation.
-1898:  In collision with a passing vessels
-1901, Nov. 4: Hog Island Light, RI, activated; lightship station was discontinued, the lightship was withdrawn and laid up at New London.
-1901: LV-12 is designated "Relief" but was actually laid up at New London until 1903

More notes:

"No number cut in main beam"; vessel was identified only as "Relief" by Fifth District until 1867 when it was assigned the hull number LV-22.  She was once again renumbered in 1871, this time as LV-12--she retained this number until she was placed out of government service.

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1903; AGE: 57

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Sold at public auction in New London, CT

COMMANDING OFFICERS:

-1877-1893:  John A. Beebe, Keeper
-1895-1900:  Wainwright B. Cummings, Master
-1896-1897:  William Walin, Master

Back to (I think) Cornfield Point Lightship Station History

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