U.S. Coast Guard Lightships

& Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service

 

VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 38

YEAR BUILT: 1869/70

BUILT AT: Boston (MA)

BUILDER: John J. Curtis

APPROPRIATION: $100,000 (Approp. Mar 3, 1869 "for construction of 2 relief vessels for LV 37 & 38)

CONTRACT PRICE: ?

SISTER VESSELS: None

DESIGN: Wood - oak & yellow pine; copper & iron fastened; 2 masts

LENGTH: 92' 0" (lbp); BEAM: 22'5"; DRAFT: 11' (depth); PROPULSION: Sail- schooner rig

TONNAGE: 232 gross

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 2 lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps & 12" reflectors

FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated 900-lb bell and Anderson hand operated fog horn

CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS:

1871: Recaulked and painted-
1875: "undergoing repairs at Charleston" (SC); returned to station Sep 4-
1881: Jun, "Thoroughly repaired"-
1882: Mar, repaired-
1885: New water tanks installed-
1886: Jan-Jun, extensive overhaul; worm-eaten stem & planking repaired, recaulked & recoppered, new masts and hawsepipes fitted - $3084.66

STATION ASSIGNMENTS: 

1870-1871: Relief (MA)
1871-1880: Rattlesnake Shoal (SC)
1881-1883: Relief (SC)
1883-1888: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)
1888-1889: Relief (SC)
1889-1892: Rattlesnake Shoal (SC)

HISTORICAL NOTES:

1870: Based at Woods Hole (MA) as Relief-
1871: Towed to Charleston (SC), Sep 11 placed on Rattlesnake Shoal (SC) "temporarily" while assigned vessel under repair. (however, remained in 6th District thereafter until retired)-
1881: "Stationed at Charleston (SC) as Relief vessel"-
1883: Sep 14, placed on Frying Pan Shoal (NC)-
1886: Jan, parted chain in heavy gale, worked back to station but leaking so came into port for repair; repositioned on station Jan 24-
1889: Reported "moored in Charleston Harbor ready for immediate service"-
1889: Dec, placed on Rattlesnake Shoal (SC)-
1891: Reported in "fair condition", "copper sheathing badly worn"-
1892: Reported in "poor condition", and "in need of extensive repair"

More notes:


RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1892;AGE: 22

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: 1892: Dec 5, sold at public auction, Charleston (SC) - $300

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Modified 1/26/2012