United States lightship Frying Pan (LV-115) facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | 
|}
The Frying Panlightship in New York City
The Frying Pan(front) and the John J. Harveyfireboat in the Hudson River
The Frying Pan (LV-115) is a special kind of ship called a lightvessel. It is currently docked at Pier 66a in the Chelsea area of New York City. For over 30 years, this ship helped guide other boats near Frying Pan Shoals. This is a dangerous shallow area off the coast of North Carolina.
Contents
- Guiding Ships at Frying Pan Shoals
- Building and Features of the Ship
- The Ship's Time in Service
- The Frying Pan Today
- See also
Guiding Ships at Frying Pan Shoals
In 1854, sailors complained that the Bald Head Lighthouse was not tall enough. Its light was also not bright enough. It could not properly warn ships about the dangerous Frying Pan Shoals. So, the first lightship was placed there instead of improving the lighthouse.
Lightships stayed at Frying Pan Shoals for 110 years. During the Civil War, some lighthouses were turned off. This was to prevent them from helping Northern ships.
On July 29, 1944, Clarence Samuels became the first Hispanic-American of African descent to command a lightship. He took charge of the Frying Pan.
In 1964, a tall light tower replaced the Frying Pan. This tower was like a Texas tower. People worked on it until 1979. Today, it is a popular spot for diving and is still standing. The Frying Pan was the last of nine ships that served at this important location.
Building and Features of the Ship
The LV-115 was built between 1929 and 1930. The Charleston Drydock & Machine Co. built it for about $274,434. Work on the ship started on January 30, 1929. It was launched on August 30, 1929, and delivered on April 8, 1930.
When it was built, the ship had a powerful light and a horn. It also had a bell that was rung by hand. For better safety, it was equipped with a radio and a radio-beacon. It even had a special submarine signal bell.
The Ship's Time in Service
The Frying Pan worked at Frying Pan Shoals from 1930 to 1942. It returned there from 1945 to 1964. During World War II, the ship was used for training. It helped check ships entering ports.
The Frying Pan finished its duty at Frying Pan Shoals in 1964. It briefly helped out at Cape May, New Jersey. Then, it was officially taken out of service in 1965.
Sadly, the ship sank in 1986. But it was brought back up in 1987. After being sold again, its restoration began in 1988. In 1999, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
The Frying Pan is one of only about 13 American lightships still existing. Around 100 lightships were built in total. Four other lightships are now museum ships. They are open to the public. These include the Ambrose, Nantucket, Chesapeake, and Swiftsure.
The Frying Pan Today
Today, the Frying Pan is known as a fun place in New York. You can even rent it for special events and parties.
See also
In Spanish: Lightship Frying Pan para niños
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | Frying Pan |
| Builder | Charleston Dry Dock and Machine Co. |
| Laid down | January 30, 1929 |
| Launched | August 30, 1929 |
| Acquired | April 8, 1930 |
| Status | Operational; available for rent |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 630 tons |
| Length | 133 ft 3 in (40.61 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Installed power | General Electric generators and motors. |
| Crew | 15 |
|
FRYING PAN SHOALS LIGHTSHIP NO. 115
|
|
 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Pier 66a, formerly Pier 63, Chelsea, New York, New York |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Charleston Dry Dock and Machine Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001615 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 1999 |
