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: LV 48

-One of first 3 lightships to be fitted with steam windlass when built
-First US lightship with capability for flashing light ã 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: LV 48
1891-1894: Sandy Hook (NY)
1895-1925: Cornfield Point (CT)

HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 48
-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-1892: Nov 16-Jan 16 1893, withdrawn for repairs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-1896: May 20-Jul 2, withdrawn for repair (relieved by LV 20)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-1898: Sep 1-Oct 12, withdrawn for repair of collision damage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-1899: Jun 2-Jul 15, withdrawn for repair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-1900: Apr 5-May 28, withdrawn for general overhaul at Greenport (NY)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: LV 48

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

Back to Cornfield Point Lightship Station History.

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Revised: 10/23/06.