U.S. Coast Guard Lightships
& Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service
VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 105/WAL527
YEAR BUILT: 1922
BUILT AT: Morris Heights (NY)
APPROPRIATION: ?
BUILDER: Consolidated Shipbuilding Co
CONTRACT PRICE: $437,404
SISTER VESSELS: None
DESIGN: Steam screw; steel hull, 2 steel masts w/lantern galleries; pilot
house," chart room at foot of foremast; radio house aft of mainmast;
smokestack amidships
LENGTH: 146' 3' (loa); BEAM: 30' 0"; DRAFT: 12' 7"; TONNAGE: 825 disp
PROPULSION: Steam-one compound reciprocating engine, 475 IHP; two Scotch boilers; max speed 8 knots
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 375mm acetylene lens lantern at each masthead
FOG SIGNAL: 12" steam chime whistle; submarine bell; hand operated bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES &
IMPROVEMENTS:
When built, was largest lightship in the US-
1921: Nov 22, launched; completed and sea trials held Mar 22, 1922-
1922: Equipped with radio and radiobeacon when built-
1923: Lights electrified using special 150 watt bulb in 500mm lens lanterns-
1932: Fog signal changed to steam diaphragm horn (Leslie 17" Typhon)-
194?: Re-powered with diesel main engine and auxiliary machinery-
Radio and visual call sign NMGU (1940-1944)
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1922-1942: Diamond Shoal (NC)
1942-1944: Examination Vessel
(1942-1944: During WWII stationed at Portsmouth (VA) and used as examination vessel; no armament provided - rammed and sunk while on this duty)
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1922: Sep 1, placed on Diamond Shoal station-
During a period of several years, the vessel steamed an average of 300 mi
per month while moored, to prevent dragging-
1925: Mar 1-8, during northerly gales lasting a week, vessel dragged 3 mi
SSE; impossible to heave in anchor until Mar 9 when ship returned to
station-
1927: Mar 2, dragged of f station 3 mi in severe NW gale; unable to make
headway under power; regained station Mar 5 when weather moderated-
1928: Feb 14, Dragged 2 ml NE of station in 60-70 mph winds; returned Feb
16-
1928: Sep 18/19, decks awash with boarding seas for 2 days in southerly
gale-
1928: Nov 11, in 90 mph winds with mountainous seas breaking completely over
the ship, dragged off station; searched 6 hours for station buoy in heavy
seas-
1932: Nov 26, dragged 3 1/2 mi of f station in gale gusting to 75 mph;
regained station Nov 30 undamaged-
1933: Sep 15/16, during hurricane with engine full ahead, dragged 5 mi into
breakers on SW part of Diamond Shoal; boats and ventilators carried away;
water above floor plates in fire room; antennas blown away. When wind
shifted, vessel carried from breakers to 60 mi ENE of Cape Hatteras; steamed
to Portsmouth (VA) Sep 18 for repair. Officers and crew commended for
bravery and high order of seamanship by President Roosevelt
More notes: LV 105 / WAL 527-
1936: Sep 17/18, in track of hurricane with winds over 100 mph, dragged
off station 1 1/2 mi; riding gear severely sprung, one boat stove in and
cradle and davits carried away; engine room ventilators damaged-
1938: Sep, blown off station in hurricane-
1944: Jul 20, rammed and sunk at Portsmouth (VA) while serving as an
examination vessel
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: (1944); AGE: 22
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Rammed and sunk at Portsmouth (VA) Jul 20, 1944
COMMANDING OFFICERS: LV 105/WAL 527
1922-1926: Charles L Swanberg, Master
1922-1923: Gus Montague, Mate
1926: Benjamin L. Harris, Master
1927-1937: Claudius C Austin, Master
1927-?: James A Lupton, Mate
1937-1939: Robert A Dixon, Master
1939-?: Willie B Hudgins, Master
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