U.S. Coast Guard Lightships
& Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service
VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 48
"CORNFIELD POINT LIGHT-VESSEL, No. 48, CONN." Scanned from the 1901 Light List, Plate XIV. Photographer unknown, no date listed (circa 1900).
Office of the Lighthouse Board. List of Lights and Fog Signals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Corrected to June 30, 1901. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1901.
YEAR BUILT: 1891
BUILT AT: South Boston (MA)
BUILDER: Harrison & Loring
CONTRACT PRICE: $57,280
APPROPRIATION: $60, 000 (Approp. approved Mar 2, 1889)
SISTER VESSELS: LV 47,49,50
DESIGN: Composite- framed w/steel angle, planked w/Georgia pine, sheathed
with white oak; 2 masts with daymarks; stack ahead of mainmast; 2 boilers
6'6"dia x 7'3"long; steam pumps and steam windlass
LENGTH: 120'10"(loa); BEAM: 278"; DRAFT: 12'; TONNAGE: 470 displ.
(depth)
PROPULSION: Sail-schooner rig, fore and main carried on spencer masts
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 2 lanterns, foremast fitted with English revolving apparatus to produce flash, mainmast with conventional lantern; oil illuminant
FOG SIGNAL: 12" steam bell whistle; hand operated 1000-lb bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS:
-One of first 3 lightships to be fitted with steam windlass when built
-First US lightship with capability for flashing light -- one mast fitted
with English revolving apparatus consisting of 3 groups of 3 oil lamps
mounted on a "chariot" inside the lantern. When hoisted, chariot
engaged gear system on shaft at aft side of mast. This drive shaft was
revolved initially by a weight driven clockwork system, Found too cumbersome
and replaced in 1892 by 2 small steam windlass engines to revolve the drive
shaft, During this period vessel showed 1 flashing red and one fixed red.
Entire arrangement later discontinued
-1907: Submarine bell signal installed; coded 4-8
-1911: Illuminant changed from oil to acetylene; oil capability retained
-1913: Fog signal changed to air siren
-1919: Equipped with radio
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1891-1894: Sandy Hook (NY)
1895-1925: Cornfield Point (CT)
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1891: Delivered May 25; placed on Sandy Hook (NY) Aug 1 (replacing LV 16)
1892: Nov 16-Jan 16 1893, withdrawn for repairs
1895: Jan 16, placed on Cornfield Point (CT), new fog whistle installed
1896: May 20-Jul 2, withdrawn for repair (relieved by LV 20)
1898: Aug 29, revolving apparatus disabled during collision, fixed light
shown
1898: Sep 1-Oct 12, withdrawn for repair of collision damage
1899: Feb 1-4, carried off station by ice, towed back by tender CACTUS
1899: Jun 2-Jul 15, withdrawn for repair
1899: Oct 31, parted chain and off station 2 days
1900: Feb 3, struck by barge under tow
1900: Apr 5-May 28, withdrawn for general overhaul at Greenport (NY)
1900:Oct 19, accommodated crew of schooner sunk 5 mi east of station
1900: Dec 24, rescued and accommodated crew of capsized schooner for 3 days
1903: Jun 8-Aug 25, withdrawn for repair
1904: Feb 20-26, off station in moving ice
1904: Jul 12-Sep 8, withdrawn for repair
1905: Feb 6-7, dragged off station by ice
1905: Feb 12,14,14,17; Feb 18-19, dragged by ice
More notes: LV 48
1906: Oct 10-Nov 14, withdrawn for repair
1907: Apr 26-Jun 17, withdrawn for installation of submarine hell signal
1912: Apr 16, struck by steamer PEQUONNOCK
1920: Feb 18, dragged 5 mi in moving ice 3 ft thick, towed to New London,
repaired and replaced on station Feb 20
RETIRED PROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1925; AGE: 34
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION:
Surveyed and condemned; sold Aug 6, 1925
COMMANDING OFFICERS:
1892-1893: Henry Harrison, Asst Keeper
1893-1894: Henry Harrison, Mate
1893-1894: David H. Caulkins, Master
1894-?: John A Beebe, Master
?-1913: Arthur Daunt, Mate
1913-?: Hugh Donovan, Mate
1919-1922: Anthony J. Silva, Mate
1922-1925: Harry Elde, Mate
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