Swiftsure (LV-83) United States Lightship Overview

The Swiftsure (LV-83) was a United States lightship that served the country's coastal waters for many years.

Built in 1913, it measured 173 feet in length and 34 feet in beam.

The Swiftsure was a steel-hulled vessel, designed to navigate the rough waters of the Atlantic coast.

It had a draft of 13 feet, which allowed it to traverse shallow waters with ease.

LV-83 was one of the nation's new third-generation lightships, built with an all-steel hull, wooden decks, and a powerful double-expansion steam engine.

It measured 112 feet on the keel, 133 feet overall, with a beam of 28 feet 6 inches and a draft of 12 feet 6 inches.

The ship's original beacon consisted of a chandelier of three oil lamps that could be hoisted up the masts from the deck.

These oil lamps were later converted to kerosene, and finally electrified in 1930.

The ship's primary sound signaling device was a 12-inch diameter steam whistle, with a 1,000-pound foredeck fog bell standing by as the auxiliary.

The ship had two coal bunkers, each with a capacity of 75 tons, and freshwater tankage for more than 11,000 gallons.

The normal crew complement was 15, with 10 on duty at any given time, with the others on shore leave rotation.

The United States lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) has a rich history that spans over a century. Launched in Camden, New Jersey in 1904, it was deployed to the West Coast to serve on the Blunt's Reef lightship station.

The ship's journey to its first station assignment was quite the adventure. It had to steam around the tip of South America and north to San Francisco to reach Blunts Reef off Crescent City, California. This was necessary because the Panama Canal wouldn't be completed for another decade.

While serving at Blunts Reef, the ship rescued 150 people from the steamer Bear after that ship ran aground on the reef in dense fog.

The ship had several names on its sides, indicating the location of its station. These included Swiftsure, which refers to the Swiftsure Bank near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Umatilla Reef and the Columbia River Bar.

Here's a brief timeline of the ship's history:

Today, the United States lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) is docked on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington, where it's open to visitors on most summer weekends, or by appointment.

The United States lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) is a remarkable vessel with a rich history. Launched in 1904 in Camden, New Jersey, it's now moored in Seattle, Washington.

This lightship has had a few names over the years, including Relief and Lightship No. 83, but it's most famously known as Swiftsure. The name refers to the Swiftsure Bank near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The Swiftsure is one of the oldest lightships in the country, and it's the only one to have its original steam engines. Its dimensions are impressive, with a length of 129 feet and a beam of 28 feet 6 inches.

Here are some key specifications of the Swiftsure:

The Swiftsure has a long history of guiding ships safely through treacherous waters, including near Umatilla Reef and the Columbia River Bar.

The United States lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) has a rich history dating back to 1904 when it was launched in Camden, New Jersey. It's an impressive vessel, measuring 129 feet long and 28 feet 9 inches wide.

The lightship served with the United States Lighthouse Service from 1904 to 1939 and then with the United States Coast Guard from 1939 to 1960. During its service, it was stationed at various locations, including Blunts Reef in California, where it saved 150 people when their ship ran aground in dense fog.

Lightship Swiftsure is one of the oldest lightships in the country and the only one to have its original steam engine. It's a remarkable piece of history, and its preservation is a testament to the importance of preserving our maritime heritage.

Here are some key details about the lightship:

After being decommissioned in 1960, the lightship was purchased by Northwest Seaport in 1966 and is now a museum vessel moored in Seattle, Washington.