U.S. Coast Guard Lightships
& Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service
VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 35
LV-35 on station at Martins Industry,
1861.
Engraving taken from 14 December 1861 Harper's Weekly.
Courtesy of Doug Bingham
YEAR BUILT: 1855
BUILT AT: Philadelphia Navy Yard
BUILDER: same
APPROPRIATION: $100,000 (Appropriation for "replacing Martins Industry and repairing one for Claibogue Sound")
CONTRACT PRICE: ?
SISTER VESSELS: None
DESIGN: Wood framed & planked
LENGTH: ?, BEAM: ?, DRAFT: ?; TONNAGE: ?; PROPULSION: sail
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: ?
FOG SIGNAL: ?
CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS:
1857: "All necessary repairs" made and "new illuminating
apparatus substituted"-
1867: "Thoroughly repaired", refitted and supplied after being
raised, but found to be badly rotted
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1858-1862: Martins Industry (SC)
(1862: Seized and sunk in Savannah River by Confederate forces)
(1887/1888: Raised and repaired, but badly rotted; surveyed and condemned)
(Prior to 1887 when No. 35 was assigned, official records identify this
vessel
as "Martins Industry")
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1856: March 1, placed on Martins Industry (SC)-
1861: The caption from the Harper's Weekly illustration shown
above noted: "The Lightship which is to be placed off the entrance to
Port Royal harbor is of the ordinary size, and will display two bright white
lights which can be seen at a distance of from 12 to 15 miles. She
will be armed with four rifled cannons, and to prevent the rebels from
boarding her, nettings will be placed around her, above the rail. Her
crew will consist of about twenty persons in addition to the Light Keepers.
On each side the words 'MARTINS INDUSTRY' will be painted, as she will be
placed on the edge of a sand bar bearing that name. When in position
this will be the only Light in use on the Southern Coast."
1862: "Seized and sunk in Savannah River by rebels"
1866: Raised and taken to Savannah for repairs; the Savannah Daily News on 15 December 1866 noted: "This vessel, which was sunk by the Confederate authorities in 1862 in the channel below the city, has been raised at last, and brought as far as Fig Island Light. She is represented to be in nearly as good condition now as when sunk."
1868: After fitting out, "evidence of serious decay being observed, a thorough survey was held upon her, resulting in her condemnation. Nearly every part of her hull was pervaded by dry rot. She was accordingly stripped of every appurtenance which could be of service to the lighthouse establishment", then sold. The Savannah Morning News of Monday, 28 September 1868, noted: "The old Martin's Industry Light Ship, which was sunk in our river during the war, and subsequently raised and refitted in a good style at this port, was sold in Charleston on Friday last, for the sum of $712. This ship has been in service until recently, when the introduction of new vessels on the various stations along the coast, caused her sale by the Government."
More notes:
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1868; AGE: 13
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: 1868 Sep 25, sold at auction in Charleston for $712.
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