Historical Items about lightships (USCG LSA)

Historical Items about lightships...

Nantucket Lightship LV 58: 1905: Dec 10 during heavy gale, while relieving Nantucket LV 66, serious leak developed in fire-room compartment; pump suctions clogged repeatedly; distress messages sent by radio were handled by Newport Naval Station (RI). Rising water eventually extinguished boiler furnaces and ship was then bailed by hand for 24 hours. First US vessel of any type to transmit a distress call by radio.

Nantucket Lightship LV 85/WAL 510: 1933: When preparing to leave station after relieving Pollock Rip, an overhand knot was discovered in the anchor chain 13 fathoms from the anchor; anchor and chain had to be hoisted aboard a tender and "untied". (1942-1944: In May/Jun 1942 escorted freighter convoy from Boston to Norfolk VA; then assigned to 5th district, based at Norfolk and used as examination vessel; armed with one 6-pounder!).

Ambrose Channel Lightship LV 51: 1956: July, during preparations for being relieved on the LV 48, an overhand knot found in the chain prevented hoisting anchor. Relief LV 114/WAL 532, commanded by Ken Black, was unable to take station and had to stand by until the tender HORNBEAM arrived from Woods Hole and cut the chain... one of first 3 lightships to be fitted with steam windlass when built. First US lightship with capability for flashing light on one mast fitted with English revolving apparatus consisting of 3 groups of 3 oil lamps mounted on a "chariot" inside the lantern. When hoisted, chariot engaged gear system on shaft at aft side of mast. This drive shaft was revolved initially by a weight driven clockwork system, found to cumbersome. SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: 1919 Apr 24, rammed and sunk on station while relieving Cornfield Point (CT). Struck by Standard Oil Co barge under tow; ship went down in 8 minutes; crew picked up by tug, saving only the log and fog signal book. Damage compensation from Standard Oil paid for later construction of LV 111.

Nantucket Lightship LV 106/WAL 528: SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Decommissioned Oct 17, 1967, On Jun 4, 1968, transferred to Agency for International Development (AID) for further transfer to Surinam; still in use in Surinam as of 1973.

Nantucket Lightship LV 112/WAL 534: 1956: July, during preparations for being relieved, an overhand knot found in the chain prevented hoisting anchor. Relief LV 114/WAL 532, commanded by Ken Black, was unable to take station and had to stand by until the tender HORNBEAM arrived from Woods Hole and cut the chain.

Bowlers Rock Lightship: LV "O" was captured by Confederate forces in 1861. This lightship's ultimate fate remains unknown.

Hedge and Fence Lightship LV 49: (1925 Nov 11, rammed and sunk on station; replaced by Relief LV 5 same day, however LV 49 remained assigned to Hedge Fence until raised, repaired, and returned to service) ALL HANDS SAFE.

Vineyard Sound Lightship LV 7: 1894, Aug 7-31: withdrawn for installation of experimental telephone equipment. Telephone cable installed from Sandy Hook to within "a few hundred feet of the lightship mooring", Feb 23. Experiments with signaling and alarm devices continued until July 31, 1895 and "were then suspended". No indication that this system was ever put to any operational use.

Hen & Chickens Lightship LV 8: Originally built for the Navy records show that in 1853, the vessel was used to carry out polar rescue operations. (1860 Assigned to Frying Pan but prior to being placed on station, was seized and sunk in Cape Fear River by Confederate forces; later raised, repaired and towed north by tender IRIS in 1866.

Hen & Chickens Lightship LV 42: SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Sold 1932; burned at Apple Island, Boston Harbor as part of July 4 celebration in 1940.

Hen & Chickens Lightship LV 49: 1925: Nov 11, rammed and sunk on Hedge Fence station by steamer K C HOLN, crew launched boat and landed at Vineyard Haven.

Nantucket Lightship WAL 612: (Information provided by Rick Bennett former LSA Secretary ): 1984 Sept 26 1984 to Feb 2 1985 did the law enforcement patrol in Florida. During that time she RESCUED on SES surface effect ship from being seized by Cuban nationals by finding and taking the ship into tow just a short distance from crossing into Cuban waters. Relieved of tow just outside Miami harbor. I remember the dates of the ship sailing to Florida because my anniversary is Sept 25 we left the next day, and we sailed 7 days to return home, arriving in Boston February 9 1985 my wife's Birthday. During the time that she was doing law enforcement on the northern east coast, we were assigned as a radar platform for Vice President Bush when he was residing in his home, and he joined us for a visit on the same day that Korean airline 007 was shot out of the air by the Russians, because he got called BACK to Washington while standing in the crews forward berthing of the 612. His one and only comment as he left f - - - - - - Russians".

Stonehorse Lightship LV 4: Said to have been named OLD HICKORY when launched. It was a great old ship! It was in service for 72 Years! In 1956 it was observed in Boston MA. being used as a club house. Built in 1852 her life span was at least 104 years and it was built with WOOD!

Stonehorse Lightship LV 53/WAL 501: The lantern mast and large diameter lantern housing is located outside Giovi's Restaurant, Yardville, NJ (2004)

Hankerchief Shoal Lightship LV 4: BEACHED at Hyannis, repaired/refitted 1868 1879: "No berths are on this vessels berth deck, but hammocks are used instead, to the advantage of the crew and cleanliness of the vessel". Passing vessels collided with this vessel in 1874 Sep 6; 1876 Aug & Oct 10, 1880; 1881; 1883 (2); 1885; 1887 Jul; 1890 Sep; 1899 Aug 15; 1899 Jun 6; 1902 Jan 27, Mar 18; 1903 Sep 15; 1907 Mar 12. Except for 3 instances of coal barges under tow, all involved sailing vessels. In 1885, records state "she has suffered more from collision than any other lightship in the district" Investigations concluded these accidents were "invariably" caused by vessels failing to allow for tidal current while attempting to cross the bow of the lightship.

Succonnessett Shoal Lightship LV 6: believed to be from LV 6- In 1957 wreckage and artifacts found on West Dennis beach were thought to be from the lightship. Neither of the foregoing reports were officially confirmed in 1987, as the result of a lightship bell being recovered off Nauset Beach, a sonar search was planned for the summer of 1988 in an attempt to discover the presence of wreckage possibly from LV 6. 1884: Logged 21,109 vessels passing station during the year - 4 full rigged ships 212 barks, 281 brigs, 18,221 schooners, 148 s1oops and 2,247 steamers SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Was burned Forth of July at Boston in 1940's.

Hedge and Fence Lightship LV 9: 1862: Instructions from Lighthouse Board to pay off master and crew upon arrival at Woods Hole (MA), and that "some competent, careful and honest" man be placed in charge "he to give receipts and account for all articles on board and to remain on the vessel at all times and at each station"

Brenton Reef Lightship: Newport Daily News, November 17, 1958: The Coast Guard at Boston today confirmed that it is weighing a plan to remove Brenton Reef Lightship for economy reasons. Newport Daily News, November 21, 1958: The historic Brenton's Reef Lightship will continue to shine, the Coast Guard said today in canceling plans to remove it from its station outside Newport harbor.

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