United States lightship Overfalls LV-118 History and Significance

The United States lightship Overfalls LV-118 is an incredible piece of maritime history. It was built in 1930 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

The Overfalls served as a lightship in the Delaware Bay, providing crucial navigation assistance to mariners. Its location made it an essential aid to navigation.

The lightship was equipped with a distinctive lantern that could be seen from over 15 miles away. This was a game-changer for navigation in the area.

With a length of 177 feet and a beam of 35 feet, the Overfalls was a sturdy vessel that withstood harsh weather conditions.

The United States lightship Overfalls (LV-118) has a rich history that spans many decades. Built to replace LV-44, which was badly damaged in the New England Hurricane of 1938, she was patterned after the LV-112 and had a unique hull design.

The ship was constructed in Boothbay, Maine, and was the last riveted-hull lightship built for the United States Lighthouse Service. All subsequent ships had welded hulls, making the Overfalls a single-ship class.

Propulsion was diesel-powered, with a set of diesel generators and compressors providing power for the beacon and auxiliaries. The light was a duplex 375 mm lantern on a single mast, at 57 ft above the water line.

The crew complement was fourteen, serving on a two weeks on/one week off basis. The ship was renumbered WAL 539 when the lighthouse service was merged into the coast guard in 1939.

Here are some of the stations where the Overfalls served:

The ship remained on station during World War II, a testament to its importance in maritime navigation. A severe storm in December 1970 damaged the ship, leading to her decommissioning on November 7, 1972.

The Overfalls was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, and in 2011 was further designated a National Historic Landmark.

The Lightship Overfalls is a historic vessel that served in the United States Coast Guard. It's the last light ship built for the United States Lighthouse Service.

The Overfalls ship was built to replace the LV-44, which was badly damaged in the New England Hurricane in 1938. The Overfalls ship is currently preserved and displayed as a museum ship in Lewes, Delaware.

The Overfalls ship is known for being the last riveted hull lightship built for the United States Lighthouse Service after the LV-112. It remained at the station during World War II and did not take part.

The Lightship Overfalls is preserved as a museum ship in Lewes, Delaware. Visitors can tour the ship and learn about its history, construction, and the role it played in maritime navigation.

The ship offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience a piece of maritime history firsthand. The Overfalls ship was damaged by a severe storm in December 1970 and was decommissioned on 7 November 1972.

The Lightship Overfalls is not only a museum ship but also a recognized historic landmark. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, and in 2011, it was further designated a National Historic Landmark.

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