The History of the U.S. Lightship Service

From 1820 to 1985, the U.S. government built 179 lightships, ships that functioned as “floating lighthouses,” in coastal waters and on the Great Lakes -where environmental hazards and conditions made construction of a lighthouse impractical. These ships housed bright and powerful navigational light beacons atop their masts to guide maritime traffic into their ports of call. The largest lightship ever built in the U.S. was the Nantucket Lightship/LV-112; as the first landmark seen by transatlantic ships entering American waters from Europe, she earned the nickname “Statue of Liberty of the Sea.” Built in 1936, Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 today is berthed in her homeport of Boston, and open to the public while undergoing restoration. Robert Mannino, Jr., president of the U.S. Lightship Museum, will share the fascinating story of this National Historic Landmark and National Treasure, placing it in the colorful history of the U.S. Lightship Service as a whole.

[@pdgingras]

Enjoyed the presentation. My father, Leon D. Gingras Jr., serviced the radio equipment on the Nantucket. The last time he went out, before his retirement, he boarded the coast guard ship. They asked him if he wanted a leisurely cruise out, or would he like to really see what the coast guard ship could do? He took the second option. He said it was the greatest boat ride of his life. RIP Dad.

[@josephrapoza6453]

Great Job. I served on the Nantucket Lightship. WLV 612.

[@aeronautic1]

I served on the Lightship Relief, WLV-605 on the Columbia River entrance 1974-1975; every 4 months so that Columbia WLV-604 could go in for maintenance. Crew swaps were performed via 44 foot motor lifeboats from the USCG International Motor Lifeboat School in Ilwaco Wa. Often a wild right to work across the Columbia River Bar. Huge winter storms, pea soup thick fog and kamikaze freighters homing in on our RBN. would serve again in a minute!!

[@kaihunlu2345]

I saw Frying Pan for years parked in the Hudson. Didn't know what kind of ship it was. Then I found this---"Lightship Frying Pan is a historic vessel permanently docked at Pier 66 Maritime within the Hudson River Park. The vessel is open to the public for free during the open hours of Pier 66 Maritime Bar & Grill." It's cool to see people celebrate these ships with this lecture, models, a painting. This lecture shows you that back in the day, if you had to get something done, it was going to be serious hard work.

[@Bing6813]

During the time I was the Volunteer researcher and self taught Historian for the restoration of LV 612 ( 1989-1995) and for years after , I presented Slide programs on the history of America's Lightships to many Civic groups , USCG Veterans groups , Historical Societies , Museums and more

[@danconnors8961]

great stories! One of my deck hands was on the Nantucket mid 70s. He remembers getting into lifeboat when a vessel was plotted to collide. Crazy seas for those guys! Hope to take a visit next time we are up in Boston. I was on duty in Woods Hole when the Argo Merchant ran aground. Thanks for taking care of our history.

[@kelli750]

The light ship presentation was very good. Thank you for uploading.

[@BillAlexander-cv6oj]

Great Presentation..The HURON Lightship is Landlocked at Port Huron Michigan My home town, been on it many times. its at the North End of Pine Grove Park . where yiu can see the Blue Water Bridge(s)...Its in Very good Condition..I believe it was commissioned in 1921.....

[@jlpytlewski]

Please look into the Barnegat LS 79, it used to dock at pier 34 in Phila. Pa. (Penn`s Landing). It changed hands several times and is now abandoned at some marina in NJ. I was a US Naval Sea Cadet in the `70s and actually helped sail her to Wilmington once, and some small excursions on the Delaware River. I scraped a lot of paint on her...lol. My hope is that some organization takes her over and restores her, but she`s wasting away as of recently.

[@gavinj.1215]

Great presentation and great upload. Thank you!

[@gerardsweeney8697]

Brilliant presentation

[@JoeLikesTrains]

Nantucket: another great workday! Olympic: *HELLO*

[@TempoDrift1480]

I never knew that untill about a week ago and Ive studied The Olympic class since Ballard found Titanic.

[@FriskDreemurrOfBiggCityPort]

Lillie Lightship: Hello, boys! Other Lightships: *Sound their foghorns*

[@robloxwinteradventure9642]

Nantucket: Oh another fog i must put the light on (OLYMPIC APEARS)

[@rickbar123]

Nice

[@videocruzer]

I captured light ships traveling a huge speeds. I believe i am the only one that was told how these light ships gather energy for their drive systems

[@davidpeterson7726]

I served on the Diamond lightship off cape Hatteras, NC.

[@Bing6813]

You were most likely aboard LV 189 which served New Orleans , Diamond Shoals and BOSTON

[@prowling4truth]

Fascinating history. Must of been terrible duty.

[@hertzair1186]

prowling4truth : or perfect duty for misanthropes...

[@mrtoad2704]

But the nantucket was hit by the Olympic right? How is it here

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

Deja vu! I swear I've watched this already, but the video hasn't been liked by me. Time to fix that.

[@stopmoty340]

R.I.P to all the children lost when olimpic crashed with the lightship

[@bongrips4jesus364]

This is the swiftsure

[@Godzilla20191]

I thought Nantucket sank

[@tasteful_trash4773]

Nantucket Lightship was rammed by a Ocean liner

[@darrentaylor1644]

Well at least Olympic was trying to go in reverse but it went to fast so that's why olympic couldn't go backwards.

[@darrentaylor1644]

But it was to late olympic rammed. NANTUCKET LIGHTSHIP lv_117.

[@tasteful_trash4773]

And killed five of the 11 crew on board

[@darrentaylor1644]

Yeah NANTUCKET LIGHTSHIP lv_117 was rammed by the RMS OLYMPIC.

[@tasteful_trash4773]

And that was why the Olympic was scrapped too