The United States Lightship Overfalls (LV 118) is a significant piece of American maritime history. As one of the last lightships built for the United States Lighthouse Service, it played a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation for vessels traveling through hazardous waters.
Stationed at multiple locations during its service, LV 118 was instrumental in guiding ships away from dangerous shoals and into safe harbors. Today, it stands as a museum ship in Lewes, Delaware, where visitors can explore its legacy and learn about the dedication of lightship crews who spent months at sea to keep others safe.
What is a Lightship?
A lightship is a specially designed vessel that serves as a floating lighthouse, stationed in areas where building a permanent lighthouse was not feasible. These ships were anchored in treacherous locations such as sandbars, rocky coasts, and busy shipping lanes.
Lightships were equipped with powerful beacon lights, foghorns, and radio signals to alert passing vessels of potential hazards. They were manned by dedicated crews who endured long and often harsh conditions to keep maritime traffic safe.
History of Lightship Overfalls LV 118
Construction and Design
The United States Lightship Overfalls (LV 118) was built in 1938 by Rice Brothers Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. It was part of a series of modernized lightships designed to replace older vessels that had served for decades.
LV 118 was constructed with a steel hull for durability, allowing it to withstand the harsh ocean conditions. At 114 feet long and weighing 400 tons, it was a mid-sized lightship built for stability and endurance.
Service Locations and Duties
During its service, LV 118 was stationed at multiple locations, including:
- Cornfield Point, Connecticut (1938-1957) – Served as a crucial navigational aid for ships traveling along the East Coast.
- Overfalls, Delaware (1959-1960) – Briefly stationed at this dangerous area near Lewes, Delaware, where shifting sands and strong currents made navigation difficult.
- Cross Rip, Massachusetts (1962-1963) – Marked another critical point in maritime routes along the Atlantic seaboard.
Although the ship was only briefly assigned to Overfalls Shoal, it has retained the name Overfalls Lightship due to its lasting association with that station.
Key Features of Lightship Overfalls LV 118
1. Bright Beacon Light
LV 118 was equipped with a 500mm electric lens that produced a brilliant flashing light, visible up to 15 miles away. This beacon helped guide ships safely through areas with poor visibility.
2. Powerful Foghorn
To ensure ships could navigate safely during foggy conditions, the lightship had a compressed air foghorn. This system could emit deep, resonating sound signals, which were essential for warning vessels of potential dangers when visibility was low.
3. Radio Beacon System
A significant advancement in maritime navigation, the radio beacon on LV 118 transmitted coded signals that ships could use to determine their positions, especially when visual cues were unavailable.
4. Sturdy Steel Hull
Built to endure harsh storms and rough seas, LV 118 featured a strong riveted steel hull, making it resistant to heavy waves and collisions. This ensured the ship could remain anchored at its assigned station without drifting.
5. Crew Accommodations
Life aboard a lightship was challenging. Crews lived on board for weeks or months at a time, working long shifts in isolation. The ship provided basic accommodations, including bunk rooms, a galley for meals, and a small recreation area. Despite these comforts, conditions were often cramped and difficult, especially during stormy weather.
Challenges Faced by Lightship Crews
Serving aboard a lightship like LV 118 was no easy task. The crew had to endure:
- Severe weather – Storms and rough seas constantly battered the ship.
- Isolation – Crews spent long months at sea, with little contact with the outside world.
- Monotony and danger – Daily tasks were repetitive, but the risk of collisions with passing ships or being swept away by high waves was always present.
Despite these hardships, lightship sailors took pride in their mission, knowing their work saved countless lives and prevented shipwrecks.
The Decommissioning of LV 118
End of Lightship Service
By the 1960s, technological advancements such as automated buoys and radar navigation made lightships increasingly obsolete. Maintaining a manned lightship was costly, and the development of offshore light stations reduced the need for these floating beacons.
LV 118 was decommissioned in 1972 and retired from active service. However, its journey was far from over.
Rescue and Preservation
After being taken out of service, LV 118 was donated to the Lewes Historical Society in 1973. Dedicated volunteers worked to restore the ship and preserve its historical significance.
In 2002, the Overfalls Foundation took over the restoration project, ensuring the vessel was maintained as a museum ship and educational resource. The ship was fully repainted, repaired, and opened to the public as a historic attraction.
Lightship Overfalls LV 118 Today
National Historic Landmark
Due to its historical importance, LV 118 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. It remains one of the best-preserved lightships in the United States, allowing visitors to experience firsthand what life aboard a lightship was like.
Museum and Visitor Experience
Today, LV 118 is docked in Lewes, Delaware, where it serves as a floating museum. Visitors can:
- Tour the ship’s interior, including the crew quarters and engine room.
- See original navigational equipment, such as the beacon light and foghorn.
- Learn about lightship history, including the role of LV 118 in maritime navigation.
Educational Programs and Events
The Overfalls Foundation hosts guided tours, maritime history lectures, and educational programs, making it an ideal destination for students, history enthusiasts, and tourists.
Why Lightship Overfalls LV 118 is Important
1. A Lasting Symbol of Maritime Safety
LV 118 represents the era when lightships were essential for maritime navigation, protecting vessels from unseen dangers at sea.
2. One of the Last Surviving Lightships
Only a few lightships remain today, and LV 118 is one of the best-preserved examples of this unique vessel type.
3. A Tribute to Lightship Crews
The ship stands as a memorial to the dedicated sailors who risked their lives to keep maritime traffic safe.
4. An Educational Resource
As a museum ship, LV 118 continues to educate visitors about the history of nautical navigation and maritime safety.
The United States Lightship Overfalls (LV 118) played a vital role in maritime history, serving as a beacon of safety for ships traveling through hazardous waters. Though it has long been decommissioned, its legacy lives on as a museum and historic landmark in Lewes, Delaware.
By visiting LV 118, people can step back in time and appreciate the dedication of lightship crews who spent their lives protecting sailors from unseen dangers. Whether you’re a maritime history buff or just curious about life at sea, Lightship Overfalls LV 118 offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of navigational innovation and bravery.