U.S. Coast Guard Lightships
& Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service
VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 31
YEAR BUILT: 1858
BUILT AT: Richmond (VA)?
APPROPRIATION: None
BUILDER: ?
CONTRACT PRICE: ?
SISTER VESSELS: none
DESIGN: Iron hull, built as steam tug JAMES GRAY; later converted to Confederate gunboat LADY DAVIS; later acquired by U. S., engines removed and converted for lightship service
LENGTH: 111' (loa); BEAM: 256"; DRAFT: 7'; TONNAGE: 250 gross/with engines
PROPULSION: Steam (propulsion machinery removed prior to use as lightship)
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: Single lantern with 8 lard oil lamps
FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS:
1863: "Equipped as a lightship using materials collected from
Charleston and Port Royal"; supplied with 8 tons of old shells for
ballast-
1867: Sep, hauled, "bottom very thin and unsafe" due to corrosion-
1868: Original deck "being too old to admit of caulking" was
sheathed over with new planking; leaking around stern tube for former
propeller shaft
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1865-1871: Wreck of Weehawken (SC)
(Prior to 1867 when No. 31 was assigned, official records identify this
vessel as "Weehawken" and "the Weehawken")
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1858: Built as steam tug JAMES GRAY, operating at Richmond (VA)-
1860/61: Converted to Confederate gunboat LADY DAVIS; moved to Charleston
(SC)-
1862/63: Engines removed and installed in Confederate ram PALMETTO STATE;
vessel then sold to "private parties". After Federal troops
re-occupied Charleston, vessel was acquired and converted to lightship
service in 1863-
1865: May 17, placed on Wreck of Weehawken, Charleston Harbor (SC)-
1871: Withdrawn and later sold
More notes:
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1871; AGE: 13
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION:
1871 Aug, sold at Charleston (SC)
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