A Lightship Sailor's Story [USCG LSA]

A Lightship Sailor's Story

by Richard E. Carroll, Jr. USCGR BMC (Ret)

My Dream Sheet prior to graduation in November, 1969 with Golf 71, I asked for an 82 Patrol craft in 13th Dist. or in Alaska. What I got was a Lightship (?) stationed out of Seattle, Wash. After my leave, my travel orders took me first to CG Base Seattle. Upon reporting to the guard shack and surrendering my orders the SN on guard duty responded, What ship? Where? Nothing here by that name.? The following day I was sent to the Greyhound bus station for a 2-hour trip west to Port Angeles, Wash. (CG Air Station). Now what needs to be understood for a kid from Kansas City, Missouri, Seattle was as far west as one could go without getting wet. I was about to get wet. I reported to the Air Station and was told to grab the Stagecoach to Neah Bay, Wash. (90 Minutes West) tomorrow. Farther West. I finally arrived at CG Base Neah Bay and was amazed, this was an Indian Reservation that happened to have a CG Base. Dugout Canoes and all.

They put me on a 44' and sent me (yes) west and OK south for 3 hours. I got a little queasy but not bad. Upon arrival to Station WLV 196 there loomed this huge RED ship with 8 foot white letters on the hull reading "UMATILLA". It was to be my home for the next two years. The Coxswain of the 44' came alongside in 10? swells and ordered me to get up that ?Jacobs Ladder? when he said, Go. ?And don?t stop? he cautioned. Upon the command I indeed clamored up the ladder only to have the 44? slam against the hull and shatter the lower two rungs of the ladder. Holy Cow!!! It was nice to be on a stable vessel finally and the queasy stomach began to subside. This lasted about two days and a whole new queasy set in for the next week. Lord, What had I gotten myself into?

Lightship duty is, for me, fondly recalled for the most part. Mid-Watch, 4 on 8 off, Plotting the Closest Point of Approach, The Fishing Fleet, Painting, Red lead, Green Death, Fenders, Underway Replenishment, Main Light, Fog Horn, Zodiac Boat, LORAN, Seagulls, "The Pit", The North Pacific Storms, The Head, The Scuttlebutt, Deck Growlers, Deck Apes, Snipes, Monkeys Fist, Fish Plate, Freeboard, Salmon fishing, and Friday grilling on the fantail. I most fondly recall the grilling. You see, if weather permitted, the cook threw steaks on a grill made from a 55-gallon barrel cut in half. We also got our ration of 2 beers (if not on watch). During the salmon season, we boated a nice salmon and cleaned and steaked it out and tossed it, still twitching, on the grill. Lemon, Garlic, and, Oh my goodness. I have yet to find a salmon dish to equal those days.

I spent 4 years in the USCG and 18 years with USCGR. I retired as a BMC. I still maintain contacts with several of my shipmates from "The Boat". The second half of my active duty was served with the Boating Safety Detachment, Seattle and although good duty I did not keep in contact with any of the guys. I think shipboard duty requires one to be dependant on each other. Part of a team. Part of a fraternity. The Lightship Sailors Fraternity. And I am proud to be member.

Love the publication, Thanks for the opportunity to share my experiences.

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