United States lightship (WLV-613) facts for kids
Lightship WLV-613 as Ambrose lightship
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Operator | United States Coast Guard |
| Builder | Curtis Bay, Maryland |
| Launched | 4 August 1952 |
| Commissioned | 12 September 1952 |
| Decommissioned | 20 December 1983 |
| Fate | Sold to private owners. |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 130 tons |
| Length | 128 ft (39 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Draft | 11 (3.3 m) |
| Propulsion | Detroit - Quad, 550 Hp |
| Speed | 9 knots (17 km/h) |
The United States Lightship WLV-613 was a special kind of ship called a lightvessel. It was like a floating lighthouse! This ship started its job in 1952. It became the very last lightship to mark the important Ambrose Channel. This channel helps ships find their way into New York Harbor.
On August 24, 1967, a new type of lighthouse, a Texas Tower lightstation, took its place. After that, the WLV-613 got a new assignment. From 1967 to 1979, it worked as a relief ship along the Massachusetts coast.
In 1979, the WLV-613 was sent to the Nantucket Shoals. Here, it shared duties with its sister ship, the Lightship WLV-612. They would take turns, each serving as the Nantucket lightship for about 21 days. The WLV-613 also holds another record: it was the last lightship to mark the Nantucket channel. This happened on December 20, 1983. Soon after, the ship was officially taken out of service and retired.
Where is the WLV-613 Now?
After its long career, the WLV-613 was docked at the Wareham Shipyard in Wareham, Massachusetts. It stayed there from around 1990 until December 1, 2014. On that date, it moved to New Bedford, MA.
Today, the ship is privately owned by William B. Golden and Kristen Golden. They also own the WLV-612, its sister ship. The WLV-613 is now painted with the name "NANTUCKET." It is in New Bedford, but it is not open for people to visit.
