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The LV 18 Lightship, "Five Fathom"

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YEAR BUILT: 1839

BUILT AT: Stonington (CT)

BUILDER: Benjamin Pomeroy

APPROPRIATION: $15,000 (Approp. for a Five Fathom Bank light vessel)

SISTER VESSELS: None

CONTRACT PRICE: $14,584

DESIGN: Wood- white oak; copper & iron fastened; 2 masts

LENGTH: 90' (lbp), BEAM: 21', DRAFT: 10', TONNAGE: 195 gross

PROPULSION: Sail- schooner rig; fore and main carried on spencer masts

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 2 lanterns each with 8 lard oil lamps having 12 cylindrical wicks

FOG SIGNAL: Hand operated bell

CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LV 18

1855: Lamps replaced with Argand type with 12" reflectors-

1863: Extensive repairs-

1868: "Thoroughly repaired & supplied"

STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 18

1839-1869: Five Fathom Bank (NJ)

1869-1875: Relief (4th District)

("Prior to 1867 when No. 18 was assigned, official records identify this vessel as "Five Fathom" or "Five Fathom light vessel")

HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 18

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1839: Placed on Five Fathom Bank (NJ)-

1863: Apr, blown off station, taken to Wilmington (DE) for new anchor & chain-

1867: Feb 21, Driven off station in heavy weather, worked under sail to Delaware Breakwater. Returned to station Mar 13-

1867: Mar 22, broke adrift in gale, reached Hampton (VA) Mar 27, returned to station Apr 28-

1869: Dec, withdrawn upon arrival of replacement (LV 31); assigned Relief duty-

1875: Surveyed and found "unworthy of repair"

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More notes:

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1875 AGE: 36

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SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Sold to Navy Department - $985.46; "to be taken to

Newport (RI) and used for torpedo practice"

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