To some, it may be just an obsolete hunk of steel that served it's purpose for almost fifty years. But for lovers of old ships and maritime history, viewing the Nantucket Lightship (LV-112) in Oyster Bay is one of mixed emotions. Something sad is happening here; like returning to a childhood home only to find it rundown and abandoned.The Natucket Lightship (LV-112) served the waters of Nantucket Shoals and was active from 1936 through 1983. She was built in Philadelphia and paid for by the White Star Line as compensation for the collision and sinking of an earlier lightship by the RMS Olympic (a sistership of the Titanic). She was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
The National Lighthouse Museum had hoped to restore the lightship and make her a floating addition to their proposed Staten Island location. But funding has fallen short and politics has reared it's head. The lightship arrived at the Jackobson Pier in Oyster Bay several years ago for a temporary stay. It is still there, and is presently for sale, slowly rusting away.
Boston Globe: Lightship Can Be Had For One Dollar
New York Times: Mutiny In The Harbor
Nantucket Lightship LV-112
USCG Lightship Sailors Association: Remaining Lightships
Tugster: Nantucket Lightship WLV-612
Lighthouse Friends: Nantucket Lightship WLV-613
Lighthouse News: Lightship Deal Falls Through
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10 comments:
that is sad. This is what we do to things beautiful and old all too often.
ah, so that's where it went. It hung out at Rowes Wharf in Boston for a while, I was really hoping it had finally been sold...
This beauty sat at Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT for a number of years, but from what I've heard, the cost for them was too much as well.
Wow. Weird. I just sent the pictures I took from this past weekend to tugster (maybe he'll post them?). I'm sorry, Soundbounder! I just didn't think of sending them to you. And yours turned out better than mine!
Sometimes it gets confusing. There are 3 Nantucket Lightships that presently remain. One is in Wareham, MA; another is in lower Manhattan; and then there is this one which is the largest. The other two are in much better condition.
Redwing,
No problem.
How was the class?
Must be a sister ship to the lightship Ambrose. They give tours every now and then. Well worth it.
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=587
Mark,
This is a larger version of the Ambrose. In total, there are 17 lightships remaining.
Thanks for the good photos and the links. Ah, I have to come out there and draw her. There's something different about her than the ones we have here (the one at North Cove and Ambrose at pier 16)--can't quite put my finger on it...It's her shiply aura, its the action she's seen! dunno, can't explain, but i'm very drawn to her and her stately bulk. Thx, Matthew! christina
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