LIGHTSHIP SAILORS

LV 196 from 1961 to the present.

Click Picture to enlarge

By Jim Woods

The following is as I remember it after 41 years have passed. On approx. 15 August 1961 we left Boston aboard the Light Vessel Relief (WAL196) en route Curtis Bay CG Yard, Curtis Bay, Md. for routine maintenance and hull repair. After having a large dent removed from her hull and made ready for sea we departed Curtis Bay, Md. en route Miami, Fl. Flying Flags that said "Light Vessel Off Station" and arrived in 4-5 days later (we only made about 8 knots wide open) Me being from Miami originally, the engineering crew took my watches so I could visit with my family. After departing Miami we made for Kingston, Jamaica. As we passed Cuba we had US fighter jets watching our progress with fly by's ever so often.

Arriving Kingston we moored and stayed for 3-4 days (which were interesting to say the least) After departing Kingston we set course for the Panama. En route we had a main Engine failure, effected temp. repairs and continued on and made permanent repairs later. Arrived Rodman Navel Base, took on supplies, food and fresh water had liberty call for a couple days and continued on to transit the Panama Canal, which is quite a thing to see and go through.

After exiting the Canal on the Pacific Ocean side we set course for Acapulco, Mexico.

Arriving in Acapulco we had to anchor in the Harbor and run liberty boats for the 4-5 days liberty there, as there was no docks available for us. We ran liberty boats every 2 hours from 6a.m. till midnight. If you missed the midnight boat you had to find a tree or bush to sleep under till 6 a.m. boat. This stop was also very interesting as none of the crew had been to Mexico and there are strange sights to be seen and places to go. After our port call in Acapulco was over we set course for Los Angeles, Ca. But when we arrived of Los Angeles the big fires of 1961 where burning and the skipper (CO) decided to by-pass Los Angles and proceed to San Francisco, Ca. Arriving San Francisco we moored just behind the Fisherman's Wharf among the fishing boats. Here again everything was new to the crew, as most where from New England. If you have never been to this area believe me you'll find it interesting. After 3-4 day stay in San Francisco we departed en route Coos Bay, Or. which it was decided to pass up and continue on to Seattle, WA. We passed Umitila Light Vessel , which would become our new home in the very near future. Arrive Seattle, WA. CG Base for re supply, repairs and liberty. Upon taking Umitila Station I remained onboard for approx. 14 more months. liberty 42 days on and 21 off.

All in all it was an trip I will not forget and I learned a lot of new skills and ect.

I forgot to mention that I got married 2 weeks before we sailed from Boston and did not see my wife till 3 months later in Seattle.

Hope this is OK as I said it's been 41 years and I'm still with the original wife. I've enjoyed sharing these memories of Light Houses and the Light Ship as it has brought back things I had forgotten.

The Search for Lightship 196

By Jim Gill President LSA

As part of the Lightship Sailors Assn efforts to locate all existing lightships, the search for 196 began in June of 2000. Later that year, the first actual sighting of the ship was made by LSA Member Cheryl-Spencer Collin. The location was Ketchikan, Alaska. The following year the location was confirmed by LSA Member Dana Lewis, Captain of a cruise-ship in Alaskan waters.

Acting on these events I contacted my Cousin Jim Church, a resident of Ketchikan, and requested him to investigate. Mr. Church located the ship and took the photographs that you see posted here on the Lightship Sailors web-site. He was unable to board the ship but efforts to do this will continue.

As you can see, the ship is in very poor cosmetic condition, the white hull paint streaked with rust. Hull integrity is unknown. The name, MARINE BIO RESEARCHER, was probably given by a previous owner. It is said that the present owner intends to use the ship as a barracks for a logging company but this has not been confirmed and there has been no constructive activity aboard for several years.

(Please click on following pictures to enlarge)

Note: This is the latest information on the 196's history. For a detailed account of the beginning of the Ship's history see related story.

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