United States lightship Swiftsure (LV-83) facts for kids
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Lightship No. 83, painted with the station name SWIFTSURE, in 2013
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Builder | New York Shipbuilding Co. |
| Cost | $85,000 |
| Launched | 1904 |
| Acquired | 1905 |
| Decommissioned | 18 July 1960 |
| Out of service | 1960 |
| Fate | Museum ship |
| Status | Under restoration, on display |
| Notes | Oldest lightship afloat in the United States |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Lightship |
| Displacement | 668 tons unloaded |
| Length | 129 ft 6 in (39.47 m) |
| Beam | 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) |
| Decks | 4 |
| Installed power | 2 Babcock & Wilcox sectional headed watertube boilers arranged for oil firing |
| Propulsion | 1 double expansion 325 IHP reciprocating steam engine; auxiliary sail (pre-1931) |
| Sail plan | Schooner rig on wood spencer masts (pre-1931) |
| Speed | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Crew | 11-15 (5 officers and 6-10 men) |
| Notes | Only preserved lightship retaining its steam machinery and a wooden deck |
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Lightship No. 83 "SWIFTSURE"
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Historic Ships Wharf, Lake Union Park, Seattle, WA |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | New York Shipbuilding Co.; US Lighthouse Establishment |
| Architectural style | Riveted steel hull with wooden decks |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001852 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 23 April 1975 |
| Designated NHL | 11 April 1989 |
Light Vessel Number 83 (LV-83), also known as Swiftsure, is a special lightship that is now a museum ship. It is owned by Northwest Seaport in Seattle, Washington. This ship was built in 1904 in Camden, New Jersey. It worked actively until 1960.
Swiftsure served at all five of the American west coast's lightship stations. It is the oldest lightship still around in the United States. It is also the only one that still has its original steam engine. Plus, it's the last lightship with wooden decks. In 1989, LV-83 was named a National Historic Landmark. Since 2008, it has been going through a big restoration project.
Contents
What is Lightship LV-83 Swiftsure?
How Was the Ship Built?
LV-83 was one of the first "third-generation" lightships in the country. It had a strong steel body and wooden decks. It also had a powerful steam engine. The ship was about 112 feet long at its bottom. Its total length was 133 feet.
The ship was 28 feet and 6 inches wide. It sat 12 feet and 6 inches deep in the water. It weighed 668 tons. Later, a part at the front of the ship was removed. This made its total length 129 feet and 6 inches.
What Equipment Did It Have?
Today, the ship has a bright 1,000-watt light. It also has a very loud 140-decibel horn. A 1,000-pound fog bell is on the front deck. When the ship was new, its light was different. It used three oil lamps that could be lifted up the masts.
These lamps first used whale oil, then kerosene. In 1930, they were changed to electric lights. The main sound signal was a 12-inch steam whistle. The big bell was used as a backup. For some time, LV-83 also had an underwater bell. This bell would ring out the ship's special code. Sound travels much farther in water. This helped ships hear its signals from a distance. The underwater bell was removed when a radio beacon was added. This allowed for long-range signaling.
How Did the Ship Move?
LV-83 moved with a single 8-foot wide propeller. This propeller was powered by a 375-horsepower steam engine. At first, two coal-fired boilers fed the engine. The ship had two coal storage areas. Each could hold 75 tons of coal. It also had tanks for over 11,000 gallons of fresh water.
In 1934, the old boilers were replaced. New oil-fired boilers were installed. This made the ship better in many ways. It could travel longer distances. It was faster to refuel. It also made steam quicker. Plus, fewer crew members were needed in the boiler room.
Who Worked on the Ship?
During its active years, LV-83 usually had a crew of 15 people. About 10 crew members were on duty at any time. The others were on shore leave. The crew size changed a bit over time. This happened as new technology was added. For example, the oil-fired boilers saved labor. New electronic devices like radio and radar also changed things. During World War II, the crew grew to more than 30. This was because they had to operate guns for war duty.
History of Lightship LV-83 Swiftsure
Where Did Its Journey Begin?
LV-83 was launched in Camden, New Jersey in 1904. It was then sent to the West Coast. Its first job was at the Blunt's Reef lightship station. The Panama Canal was not finished yet. So, LV-83 had to sail all the way around the tip of South America. Then it sailed north to San Francisco. From there, it went to its first station at Blunts Reef. This reef is off Crescent City, California.
While at Blunt's Reef, the ship helped many people. It rescued 150 people from the steamer Bear. That ship got stuck on the reef in thick fog.
What Were Its Names and Stations?
LV-83 was once known as Relief. It had many names painted on its sides. These names always showed where its station was located. The name Swiftsure comes from the Swiftsure Bank. This bank is near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This strait separates Washington from Vancouver Island. The ship also guided other vessels. It helped them near Umatilla Reef and the Columbia River Bar.
Where is Swiftsure Now?
The ship stopped active service in 1960. In 1966, Northwest Seaport bought it. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989. It is also on the Washington State Heritage Register. LV-83 is currently docked on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. A long restoration project started there in 2008. Visitors can usually go on board LV-83 on most summer weekends. You can also visit by making an appointment.
See also
