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{{DISPLAYTITLE:United States lightship ''WAL 539''}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= [[Image:WAL 539 NRIS.jpeg|300px|US lightship WAL 539]]
|Ship image=[[Image:WAL 539 NRIS.jpeg|300px|alt=US lightship WAL 539]]
|Ship caption=WAL 539 painted for "OVERFALLS" station, docked in [[Lewes, Delaware]] (NRHP)
|Ship caption=''WAL 539'' painted for "OVERFALLS" station, docked in [[Lewes, Delaware]] (NRHP)
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox Ship Career
|Ship country=United States
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1938}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|USA|1938}}
|Ship name=WAL 539 (previously LV 118)
|Ship name=''LV 118''
|Ship renamed=''WAL 539'' (1939/1947–1965){{clarify |reason=Sourced disagree; |date=September 2012}}<br />''WLV-539'' (1965-1973)
|Ship operator=[[United States Lighthouse Service]]/[[United States Coast Guard]]
|Ship operator=[[United States Lighthouse Service]]/[[United States Coast Guard]]
|Ship builder=Rice Brothers, East Boothbay, Maine
|Ship builder=Rice Brothers, East Boothbay, Maine
|Ship original cost=$223,900<br /> (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|223900|1938}}}} in modern dollars)
|Ship original cost=$223,900
|Ship built=1938
|Ship built=1938
|Ship launched=1938
|Ship launched=4 June 1938
|Ship commissioned=11 September 1938
⚫
|Ship out of service=1972
|Ship decommissioned=7 November 1972
⚫
|Ship out of service=
|Ship honors=
|Ship honors=
|Ship fate=Museum in [[Lewes, Delaware]]
|Ship status=Museum in [[Lewes, Delaware]]
|Ship fate=
|Ship note=
|Ship note=
}}
}}
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|Ship type=[[Lightvessel]]
|Ship type=[[Lightvessel]]
|Ship length={{convert|114|ft|9|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|114|ft|9|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|26|ft|0|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|26|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|13|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|13|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship displacement={{convert|412|ST}}
|Ship displacement={{convert|412|ST}}
|Ship power=[[Cooper Bessemer|Cooper-Bessemer]] 8 cylinder air-start Diesel engine, {{convert|400|bhp|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=Single shaft, reduction gear, {{convert|7|ft|2|in|abbr=on}} propeller
|Ship speed={{convert|9|kn}}
|Ship crew=14
}}
}}
{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
|embed=yes
| name = Lightship ''WAL-539''
|name=Lightship ''WAL-539''
| nrhp_type = nhl
|nrhp_type=nhl
| image =
|image=
| caption =
|caption=
| location= [[Lewes, Delaware]]
|location=[[Lewes, Delaware]]
| lat_degrees = 38
|lat_degrees=38
| lat_minutes = 46
|lat_minutes=46
| lat_seconds = 40.44
|lat_seconds=40.5
| lat_direction = N
|lat_direction=N
| long_degrees = 75
|long_degrees=75
| long_minutes = 8
|long_minutes=8
| long_seconds = 27.96
|long_seconds=28
| long_direction = W
|long_direction=W
| locmapin = Delaware
|locmapin=Delaware
|map_width=300
| area =
|area=
| built = 1938
|built=1938
| architect= Rice Brothers
|architect=Rice Brothers
| architecture=
|architecture=
| designated_nrhp_type = June 14, 2011
|designated_nrhp_type=14 June 2011
| added = February 16, 1989<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
|added=16 February 1989<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| governing_body = Private
|governing_body=Private
| refnum=89000006
|refnum=89000006
}}
}}
|}
|}
Lightship '''WAL 539''' (numbered '''LV 118''' when built) was the last [[lightvessel]] constructed for the [[United States Lighthouse Service]] before it became part of the [[United States Coast Guard]].<ref name="USCG">{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblightships/LV118.asp|publisher=United States Coast Guard|title=U.S. Coast Guard Lightships: LV 118/WAL 539|accessdate=2010-11-16}}</ref> It is currently preserved in [[Lewes, Delaware]] as a museum ship.
Lightship '''''WAL 539''''' (numbered '''''LV 118''''' when built) was the last [[lightvessel]] constructed for the [[United States Lighthouse Service]] before it became part of the [[United States Coast Guard]].<ref name="USCG">{{cite web |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblightships/LV118.asp |publisher=[[United States Coast Guard]] |work=U.S. Coast Guard Lightships & Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service |title=Vessel Designation: LV 118/WAL 539 |accessdate=2010-11-16}}</ref> She is currently preserved in [[Lewes, Delaware]] as a museum ship.


==History==
==History==
This ship was built to replace [[United States lightship LV-44|LV-44]], badly damaged in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938]], for the Cornfield Point station.<ref name="USCG">{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblightships/LV44.asp|publisher=United States Coast Guard|title=U.S. Coast Guard Lightships: LV 44|accessdate=2010-11-18}}</ref> Patterned after the [[United States lightship Nantucket (LV-112)|LV-112]],<ref name="USCG"/> it has a hull unlike that of any of its sisters; it is in effect a single ship class.<ref name="NHL">{{ cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nhl/Fall10Noms/LightshipLV118.pdf|title=National Historic Landmark nomination|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=201-11-19}}</ref> Propulsion was diesel, with a set of diesel generators and compressors providing power for the beacon and auxiliaries.<ref name="USCG"/><ref name="specs">{{cite web|url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=3|title=Technical Specifications|publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation|accessdate=201-11-19}}</ref> The light was a duplex 375mm lantern on a single mast, at 57&nbsp;ft. above the water line.<ref name="specs"/> Dual diaphones were provided for a fog signal, as well as a bell and radiobeacon.<ref name="USCG"/> A radar unit was installed in 1943.<ref name="specs"/> The crew complement was fourteen, to serve on a two weeks on/one week off basis.<ref name="specs"/> When the lighthouse service was merged into the coast guard in 1939, it was renumbered WAL 539.<ref name="USCG"/>
This ship was built to replace [[United States lightship LV-44|''LV-44'']], badly damaged in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938]], for the Cornfield Point station.<ref name="USCG">{{cite web |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblightships/LV44.asp |publisher=[[United States Coast Guard]] |title=U.S. Coast Guard Lightships: LV 44 |accessdate=2010-11-18}}</ref> Patterned after the [[United States lightship Nantucket (LV-112)|''LV-112'']],<ref name="USCG" /> she has a hull unlike that of any of her sisters; in effect, a single-ship class.<ref name="NHL">{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nhl/Fall10Noms/LightshipLV118.pdf |format=pdf |title=National Historic Landmark nomination |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |accessdate=201-11-19}}</ref> Propulsion was diesel, with a set of diesel generators and compressors providing power for the beacon and auxiliaries.<ref name="USCG" /><ref name="specs">{{cite web |url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=3 |title=Technical Specifications |publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation |accessdate=201-11-19}}{{dead link |date=September 2012}}</ref> The light was a duplex {{convert|375|mm|abbr=on}} lantern on a single mast, at {{convert|57|ft|abbr=on}} above the water line.<ref name="specs" /> Dual diaphones were provided for a fog signal, as well as a bell and radiobeacon.<ref name="USCG" /> A radar unit was installed in 1943.<ref name="specs" /> The crew complement was fourteen, to serve on a two weeks on/one week off basis.<ref name="specs" /> When the lighthouse service was merged into the coast guard in 1939, she was renumbered ''WAL 539''.<ref name="USCG"/>

⚫
Stations served were as follows:<ref name="USCG"/>


⚫
''LV 118'' / ''WAL 539'' served at these stations:<ref name="USCG" />
:1938-l957: Cornfield Point, Connecticut
:1938-l957: Cornfield Point, Connecticut
:1958-1962: Cross Rip, Massachusetts
:1958-1962: Cross Rip, Massachusetts
:1962-1972: Boston, Massachusetts
:1962-1972: [[Boston, Massachusetts]]


Unlike most US lightships it remained on station during [[World War II]].<ref name="NHL"/> A severe storm in December 1970 damaged the ship, leading to its decommissioning on November 7, 1972.<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=2|title=History of the Lightship Overfalls|publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation|accessdate=201-11-19}}</ref> Upon retirement it was donated to the [[Lewes Historical Society]] and placed on display in [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]], painted for the "OVERFALLS" station, though it never served there.<ref name="NHL"/> The ship's condition deteriorated and a failed attempt in 1999 to sell it led to the formation of a separate group, the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, to take over the maintenance and restore the vessel.<ref name="OMMF hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=1|title=The History of the OMMF and the Lightship's more recent adventures|publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation|accessdate=201-11-19}}</ref> It remains in Lewes and is available for tours.<ref name="OMMF hist"/>
Unlike most US lightships ''WAL 539'' remained on station during [[World War II]].<ref name="NHL" /> A severe storm in December 1970 damaged the ship, leading to her decommissioning on November 7, 1972.<ref name="hist">{{cite web |url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=2 |title=History of the Lightship Overfalls |publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation |accessdate=201-11-19}}{{dead link |date=September 2012}}</ref> Upon retirement ''WAL 539'' was donated to the [[Lewes Historical Society]] and placed on display in [[Lewes, Delaware]], painted for the "OVERFALLS" station, though she never served there.<ref name="NHL" /> The ship's condition deteriorated and a failed attempt in 1999 to sell her led to the formation of a separate group, the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, to take over the maintenance and restore the vessel.<ref name="OMMF hist">{{cite web |url=http://www.overfalls.org/page.cfm?pageID=1 |title=The History of the OMMF and the Lightship's more recent adventures |publisher=Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation |accessdate=201-11-19}}{{dead link |date=September 2012}}</ref> She remains in Lewes and is available for tours.<ref name="OMMF hist" />


The lightship was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1989, and in 2011 was further designated a [[National Historic Landmark]].<ref name="NHL designation">{{cite web|title=National Register of Historic Places listings for June 24, 2011|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20110624.htm|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|date=June 24, 2011|accessdate=June 24, 2011}}</ref>
The lightship was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1989, and in 2011 was further designated a [[National Historic Landmark]].<ref name="NHL designation">{{cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places listings for June 24, 2011 |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20110624.htm |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |date=24 June 2011 |accessdate=2011-06-24}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 16:16, 5 September 2012

US lightship WAL 539
WAL 539 painted for "OVERFALLS" station, docked in Lewes, Delaware (NRHP)
History
United States
NameLV 118
OperatorUnited States Lighthouse Service/United States Coast Guard
BuilderRice Brothers, East Boothbay, Maine
Cost$223,900
Launched4 June 1938
Commissioned11 September 1938
Decommissioned7 November 1972
Renamedlist error: <br /> list (help)
WAL 539 (1939/1947–1965)[clarification needed]
WLV-539 (1965-1973)
StatusMuseum in Lewes, Delaware
General characteristics
TypeLightvessel
Displacement412 short tons (374 t)
Length114 ft 9 in (34.98 m)
Beam26 ft (7.9 m)
Draft13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
Installed powerCooper-Bessemer 8 cylinder air-start Diesel engine, 400 bhp (300 kW)
PropulsionSingle shaft, reduction gear, 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) propeller
Speed9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Crew14
Lightship WAL-539
United States lightship Overfalls (LV-118) is located in Delaware
United States lightship Overfalls (LV-118)
LocationLewes, Delaware
Built1938
ArchitectRice Brothers
NRHP reference No.89000006
Significant dates
Added to NRHP16 February 1989[1]
Designated NHL14 June 2011

Lightship WAL 539 (numbered LV 118 when built) was the last lightvessel constructed for the United States Lighthouse Service before it became part of the United States Coast Guard.[2] She is currently preserved in Lewes, Delaware as a museum ship.

History

This ship was built to replace LV-44, badly damaged in the New England Hurricane of 1938, for the Cornfield Point station.[2] Patterned after the LV-112,[2] she has a hull unlike that of any of her sisters; in effect, a single-ship class.[3] Propulsion was diesel, with a set of diesel generators and compressors providing power for the beacon and auxiliaries.[2][4] The light was a duplex 375 mm (14.8 in) lantern on a single mast, at 57 ft (17 m) above the water line.[4] Dual diaphones were provided for a fog signal, as well as a bell and radiobeacon.[2] A radar unit was installed in 1943.[4] The crew complement was fourteen, to serve on a two weeks on/one week off basis.[4] When the lighthouse service was merged into the coast guard in 1939, she was renumbered WAL 539.[2]

LV 118 / WAL 539 served at these stations:[2]

1938-l957: Cornfield Point, Connecticut
1958-1962: Cross Rip, Massachusetts
1962-1972: Boston, Massachusetts

Unlike most US lightships WAL 539 remained on station during World War II.[3] A severe storm in December 1970 damaged the ship, leading to her decommissioning on November 7, 1972.[5] Upon retirement WAL 539 was donated to the Lewes Historical Society and placed on display in Lewes, Delaware, painted for the "OVERFALLS" station, though she never served there.[3] The ship's condition deteriorated and a failed attempt in 1999 to sell her led to the formation of a separate group, the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, to take over the maintenance and restore the vessel.[6] She remains in Lewes and is available for tours.[6]

The lightship was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, and in 2011 was further designated a National Historic Landmark.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Vessel Designation: LV 118/WAL 539". U.S. Coast Guard Lightships & Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service. United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 2010-11-16. Cite error: The named reference "USCG" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c "National Historic Landmark nomination" (pdf). National Park Service. Retrieved 201-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d "Technical Specifications". Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation. Retrieved 201-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "History of the Lightship Overfalls". Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation. Retrieved 201-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)[dead link‍]
  6. ^ a b "The History of the OMMF and the Lightship's more recent adventures". Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation. Retrieved 201-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "National Register of Historic Places listings for June 24, 2011". National Park Service. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
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