YEAR BUILT: 1923
BUILT AT: Bath (ME)
APPROPRIATION: ?
BUILDER: Bath Iron Works
CONTRACT PRICE: $200,000
SISTER VESSELS: LV 106,107,108,110,111
DESIGN: Steam screw; steel hull; steel pilot house and deckhouses; 2 masts with lantern galleries, smokestack amidships
LENGTH: 132'4" (loa); BEAM: 30' 0"; DRAFT: 14'7"; TONNAGE: 715 displ
PROPULSION: Steam - compound reciprocating engine, 400 IHP; 2 oil fired Scotch marine boilers, 120 psi; 4 bladed propeller; max speed 9 knots
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 375mm electric lens lantern at each masthead
FOG SIGNAL: 12" steam chime whistle; submarine bell, hand operated bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LV 109-
1923 Aug 16, launched at Bath (ME); christened by Miss Elizabeth Davies of Portland-
1923 Nov 10, delivered-
1923 Equipped with radio when built-
1929 Equipped with radiobeacon-
1935 Fog signal changed to steam diaphragm horn-
1945 Fitted with detection radar-
195? Repowered with GM Bcyl diesel, 500hp, 4'9" dia propeller, max speed 8 kts-
1960 USCG lists vessel with duplex 375mm lens lantern on foremast, l3,000cp; air diaphone; Bendix MR-3 radar; other characteristics as above-
Radio and visual call sign NNGZ (1940-1966)
STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 109 / WAL 531
1924-1954: Relief (6th District)
1954-1964: Savannah (GA)
1965-1966: New Orleans (LA)
(1942-1945 during WWlI, continued to serve as Relief lightship stationed at
Charleston (SC); no armament provided)
(New Orleans station established Mar 13, 1965)
HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 109 / WAL 531-
1929: Oct 1/2, while relieving Frying Pan Shoal, rode out hurricane with minor damage, but decks continuously awash with boarding seas for 2 days
More notes:
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1966; AGE: 43
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Decommissioned Dec 8, 1966; transferred to Agency for International Development Feb 20, 1961, sold to Uruguay and served as Banco Ingles lightship for several years until retired in Uruguay
COMMANDING OFFICERS: LV 109/WAL 531
1923-?: Arnold Nielson, Master
1923-?: Harold T Brett, Mate
1960: CWO Cleo Hack, CO
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