YEAR BUILT: 1855
BUILT AT: Kittery (ME)
APPROPRIATION: $30, 000
BUILDER: Navy Yard
CONTRACT PRICE: $48,000
SISTER VESSELS: None
DESIGN: Wood - white & live oak; copper & iron fastened; bowsprit; 2 masts; oval daymarks at both mastheads
LENGTH: 103'0" (lbp) BEAM: 24'0" DRAFT: 12'6" TONNAGE: 228 displ,275 gross
PROPULSION: Sail-schooner rig; fore and main
carried on spencer masts
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 2 lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps & reflectors
FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES ã MODIFICATIONS -
EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LV 1-
1860: Rebuilt-
1881: Main anchor replaced with mushroom (apparently one having a stock)-
1883: Mooring methods evaluated by Lighthouse Board. All alternatives found
unfeasible due to strong rotary currents in the area, and structure of ship
unable to sustain additional chain loading-
1886: Lighthouse Board authorized casting an "ordinary" (stockless) mushroom
anchor. With this, station was maintained throughout winter-
1892: Boiler, steam pump, steam windlass, 12" steam fog whistle installed-
1895: Rebuilt, also rebuilt again in 1902-
1910: Submarine bell signal installed-
1915: Steam fog signal replaced with oil engine, compressor, and air siren-
1919: Equipped with radio, discontinued 1923-
1925: Illuminant changed from oil to acetylene; light from fixed to flashing
STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 1
1856-1892: Nantucket New South Shoal (MA)
1892-1896: Martins Industry (SC)
1896-1911: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)
1911-1922: Martins industry (SC)
l922-193O: Savannah (GA)
(Prior to 1867 when No. 1 was assigned, official records identify this vessel
"Nantucket" or "Nantucket Light Vessel")
HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 1-
1856: Jan, placed on Nantucket New South Shoal station-
During heavy gales, parted chain and went adrift 12 times while on Nantucket
station, being off station for periods up to 20 days before working back under
sail or being towed. (records are incomplete during 1856-1865)-
1883: Slipped chain and worked under sail to avoid foundering during storm-
1887: Picked up crew of foundered British steamer CALEDONIA. Accommodated for
12 days until taken off by tender-
1891: Lighthouse Board requested $70,000 appropriation for a "proper" lightship
to be steam propelled and equipped with steam fog signal - approved in 1892-
1892: Jun 14, relieved by LV 9, refitted and towed to Charleston (SC) by AZALEA-
1892: Nov 14, placed on Martins Industry (SC) after transfer to Charleston-
1894: Parted chain and adrift twice during hurricanes, boats and davits carried
away both times-
1896: Nov 11, placed on Frying Pan Shoal (NC)-
1896-1907: broke adrift on 5 occasions during the period-
1911: Placed on Martine Industry (SC) until station discontinued in 1922
More notes:-
1915: Steam fog signal machinery replaced with oil engine and compressor; the
reduced weight was reported to improve stability, buoyancy and handling-
1922: Placed on Savannah (GA); withdrawn 1930
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1930 AGE: 75
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Donated 1930, towed to Haverhill MA for Sea Scout use.
Later taken over by Groveton MA Sea Scouts; moved vicinity of Groveton Bridge
over Merrimac River. Carried downriver in 1936 flood, going aground on north
bank opposite Henderson Farm. Stripped and abandoned; hull still remains 1986.
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Revised: 10/23/06.