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Lightships

Lightships were used to mark the entrances to major US ports
or to mark dangers to navigation
The first US lightship location was Willoughby Spit
It was manned in 1820 by the third US lightship to be built (LV C)
The last station to be discontinued was Nantucket Shoals
The last US lightship left station in 1983
Over the years 4 lightships were lost to storms
and one was rammed by RMS Olympic
One was lost to a German u-boat in WWI

Model: Yes

Designation Name Class Hull Service Comments Pictures
USCGC LV-1 WLV 1 1939 – 1985 In 1939 the Lighhouse Service was absorbed by the Coast Guard
The designation changed to WAL
In 1967 the designation changed again to WLV
A complete list of these cutters can be found at thisĀ Link