United States lightship Huron (LV-103) facts for kids
LV-103 circa 1922
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | LV-103 |
| Builder | Consolidated Shipbuilding Co |
| Laid down | June 5, 1918 |
| Launched | May 1, 1920 |
| In service | December 22, 1920 |
| Out of service | August 25, 1970 |
| Status | Museum Ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 312 tons |
| Length | 97 ft (30 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Propulsion | 175 hp steam engine (original equipment) |
| Speed | 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Crew | 11 |
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Huron (lightship)
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | Port Huron, Michigan |
| Built | 1918 |
| Architect | Consolidated Shipbuilding Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001974 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 12 July 1976 |
| Designated NHL | 20 December 1989 |
The United States lightship Huron (LV-103) is a special kind of ship called a lightvessel. It was launched in 1920. Today, it is a museum ship that you can visit. It is docked in Pine Grove Park in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
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Lightships on the Great Lakes
The Huron is one of many lightships that once served on the Great Lakes. These ships were like floating lighthouses. They helped guide other ships safely through dangerous waters.
The very first lightship on the Great Lakes was the Lois McLain. It was placed at Waugoshance Shoal in 1832. This wooden ship was later replaced by a lighthouse in 1851.
The Huron Lightship Station
The Huron lightship was the third ship to be placed at Corsica Shoals in Lake Huron. This spot was known for being tricky for ships. A gas buoy was first used there in 1893, but it wasn't very helpful.
Three different ships were called the Huron Lightship between 1893 and 1970.
First Huron: Lightship No. 61
The first ship was Lightship No. 61. It had a wooden body and was painted red. It had "Corsica Shoals" written on its sides. This ship worked from 1893 until 1921.
In November 1913, a huge storm hit the Great Lakes. It sank many ships and caused a lot of damage. Lightship No. 61 was torn from its anchors. It ended up stuck on the Canadian shore. After being fixed, it continued to serve until 1920. Then, it was sold.
Second Huron: Lightship No. 96
In 1921, Lightship No. 61 was replaced by Lightship No. 96. This was the first ship to actually be named the Huron Lightship.
The Last Lightship: LV-103 Huron
In 1925, there were ten lightships on the Great Lakes. But fifteen years later, only the Huron (LV-103) remained. It was the last one of its kind on the Great Lakes.
Building and Service of Lightship No. 103
The Huron (LV-103) was built by the Consolidated Shipbuilding Company. This company was located in Morris Heights, New York. Construction began in 1918 and cost about $147,428.
The ship was about 96.5 feet (29.4 m) long and 24 feet (7.3 m) wide. It weighed 312 tons. The Huron was powered by a steam engine. This engine used two coal-fired boilers and produced 175 horsepower (130 kW).
Where the Huron Served
The Huron began its service in 1921 as Lightship Number 103. It mostly worked in southern Lake Huron. This area is near Port Huron and the start of the St. Clair River.
The Huron also spent time lighting other areas. In 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1929, it was at Grays Reef. In 1934 and 1935, it served at the North Manitou Shoal.
In 1935, the Huron was painted black. The name "Huron" was painted on its sides. It was then moved to Corsica Shoals. This spot is about 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the Blue Water Bridge.
Equipment and Changes
The Huron had a special light that could be seen far away. It also had a loud steam whistle for foggy weather. There was also a hand-operated bell.
After 1945, the Huron was the only lightship painted black.
In 1949, the ship was updated. Its old steam engine was replaced with two diesel engines. This cost $168,000. After this change, the Huron could travel at a top speed of 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph).
A Sad Event
On May 7, 1958, a sad event happened. Seaman Robert Gullickson, a U.S. Coast Guard member, died. A wave hit a small boat he was on from the Huron Lightship. He is remembered on the ship. He was the only person lost during the Huron's many years of service.
End of Service
On August 20, 1970, the Huron left Corsica Shoal for the last time. It was officially taken out of service on August 25 in Detroit. An unmanned buoy light replaced it. The city of Port Huron took ownership of the Huron in June of the next year.
Retirement and Museum Life
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The Huron Lightship has received several special honors:
- It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
- It became a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
- It was listed on the State Register in 1973.
- A State Historical Marker was put up in 1973.
The Huron started its service in 1921. It helped other Great Lakes lightships. The ship is 97 feet long and 24 feet wide. It had a crew of eleven people. On clear nights, its light could be seen for fourteen miles (23 km). After working in northern Lake Michigan, the Huron was sent to the Corsica Shoals in 1935. These shallow waters, six miles (9.7 km) north of Port Huron, often caused lake freighters to get stuck in the late 1800s. A lightship station was set up there in 1893. These ships were more reliable than lighted buoys. After 1940, the Huron was the only lightship left on the Great Lakes. It was retired from Coast Guard service in 1970. The ship was given to the City of Port Huron in 1971.
—State historical marker
The ship is very well-preserved. Its light and fog horn still work! The two General Motors diesel engines also work. Volunteers helped get them running again. An Amateur radio station, NM8GS, operates from the ship. This name is based on the ship's original call sign, NMGS.
The engines were damaged while the ship was waiting to be transferred. But local companies and volunteers helped fix the pistons and cylinders. These engines powered everything on the ship, from the lights to the fog horn. To keep them working, they are run every thirty days.
The Huron was the last lightship of its kind. It is also the smallest surviving lightship. It shows what the 96-foot (29 m) class of lightships was like.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United States
- Lightvessels in the United States
- List of U.S. National Historic Landmark ships, shipwrecks, and shipyards
Images for kids
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LV-103 circa 1922
