United States lightship Ambrose (LV-87) A Maritime Treasure

The United States lightship Ambrose (LV-87) is a maritime treasure that has been serving the Port of New York and New Jersey since 1907. It's an impressive 265-foot-tall ship that has been guiding mariners through the busy waters of New York Harbor for over a century.

The Ambrose is a "lightvessel", which means it's a ship designed to be a lighthouse. It's equipped with a powerful light that can be seen from up to 22 miles away. Its light is so strong that it's been known to be visible from as far away as 20 miles out to sea.

The Ambrose has a rich history, having served as a guide for ships during both World War I and World War II. It's been stationed in New York Harbor since 1907, and has been a vital part of the harbor's navigation system ever since.

The United States lightship Ambrose (LV-87) has a rich and fascinating history that spans over 80 years. Built in 1908, LV-87 was the first lightship to serve in the relocated position nearer the center of the Ambrose Channel.

She was equipped with the first radio beacon in the United States, installed in 1921, which greatly assisted navigation of the congested channel in dense fog. This innovation was a game-changer for ships navigating the Ambrose Channel.

LV-87 was the last steam-powered vessel to hold the Ambrose Channel post, a distinction she earned before being reassigned to serve as the Lightship Scotland in 1932.

Here's a brief timeline of LV-87's service:

LV-87's decommissioning in 1966 marked the end of an era for lightships in the United States.

The Ambrose Lightship was a crucial part of New York Harbor's navigation system, serving as a guide for ships entering the harbor.

It was not the first or last lightship to mark the entrance to New York Harbor, but rather one of many that played a vital role in maritime safety.

Ambrose LV-87 was the first "Ambrose" lightship, taking on the name in 1908 when the station was renamed for the newly opened Ambrose Channel.

LV-87 was replaced by a new ship, Lightship Ambrose LV-111/WAL-533, which was built in 1926 with funds provided by Standard Oil.

LV-111 had several improvements over LV-87's initial design, including a diesel engine and steel deck houses, and would mark the entrance to Ambrose Channel through World War II.

After LV-111, Ambrose WLV-613 took over as the last Ambrose Channel lightship in 1952.

The US Coast Guard was investigating how to replace the expensive-to-operate lightships with a four-legged light platform by 1964.

The Ambrose Lightship Station was eventually replaced by the Ambrose Light Tower in 1967, marking the end of the lightships' presence at the entrance to New York Harbor.

The Lightship Ambrose (LV87) was built in 1908 and served her station until 1932, when she was reassigned to serve as the Lightship Scotland.

She was the first lightship to serve in the relocated position nearer the center of the channel and received the first radio beacon in the United States in 1921.

The Lightship Ambrose was retired from the United States Coast Guard in 1964 and was given to the South Street Seaport Museum in 1968.

In 1989, she was declared a National Historic Landmark, a testament to her importance in maritime history.

The restoration of the United States lightship Ambrose (LV-87) is a significant undertaking that aims to preserve its historic elements.

Over $13 million in City capital funding has been secured to support this project.

The restoration will focus on preserving historic areas like the wardroom, crew quarters, galley, and lamp.

The ship's hull, bulkhead, and deck will be stabilized to ensure its structural integrity.

Modern lighting, safety systems, and HVAC will be installed to bring the ship up to date.

The Museum plans to restore Ambrose to its original appearance when it was stationed in New York Harbor as a working lightship.

This restoration project will ensure the longevity of Ambrose for generations to come.

The United States Lightships played a crucial role in maritime safety, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

These vessels were equipped with powerful lights that could be seen from a great distance, serving as beacons for ships navigating through treacherous waters.

Lightship Names are a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Many lightships were named after notable figures or places, such as the USLHT Petrel, named after a type of bird known for its agility.

The USLHCS Petrel was launched in 1910 and served on the East Coast. Some lightships were also named after their home ports or regions.

The USLHCS Firefly was launched in 1909 and operated in the Pacific Northwest. Lightship names often had a nautical theme, reflecting their maritime purpose.

The USLHCS Firefly was known for its speed and agility, earning it a reputation as one of the fastest lightships in service.

A typical crew on a lightship consisted of 10 to 20 people, including a captain, a first mate, and several deckhands.

The captain was in charge of navigating the vessel and making important decisions.

Lightships were equipped with basic amenities like a galley, a mess hall, and a few small cabins.

The crew had to be self-sufficient, as they often spent weeks or even months at sea without resupply.

The captain's quarters were usually the largest cabin on the ship.

The crew's daily routine was dictated by the needs of the lightship and the surrounding waters.

The lightship's crew had to be vigilant, as they were responsible for maintaining the light and ensuring it remained visible to mariners.

Life on a lightship was often lonely and isolating, with limited contact with the outside world.

The crew relied on each other for companionship and support during their time at sea.

The United States Lightship LV-87, also known as the Ambrose, was built in 1908.

She served her station until 1932, when she was reassigned to serve as the Lightship Scotland much closer to Sandy Hook.

The Ambrose was the first lightship to serve in the relocated position nearer the center of the channel.

She received the first radio beacon in the United States in 1921, greatly assisting navigation of the congested channel in dense fog.

The Ambrose was the last steam-powered vessel to hold this post.

She was retired from the United States Coast Guard in 1964.

In 1968, she was given to the South Street Seaport Museum in Lower Manhattan in New York City and moored at Pier 16 on the East River.

The Ambrose was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.