...It could be yours..

For those of you that are looking for that next Anchor Bay piece. Starting either today or tomorrow, You can start bidding on your very own. A Nantucket Lightship is going on auction on e-bay with the bids starting at $25,000. It is the was that is docked at Marina Bay in Quincy, Mass. It was on the front page of The Patriot Ledger, Which is a newspaper out of Quincy. Get your wallets out and let the bidding begin!!!!


--------------The R---------------

what a shame they can't or won'tmaintain the ship! We tried to find it last year when we were in the area, but no one knew where it was.

Dave

Wish I had known you were looking, Dave. Here's a photo I took last March when my daughter and I found it, by accident.

[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=39476&a=258336&p=10817353&Sequence=1[/img]

Here's a link to the Ebay listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=284677777

[This message has been edited by mombo (edited 03-15-2000).]

My "local" Boston station just said there has been only one bid on the Nantucket Lightship. I haven't checked eBay to see if it's someone we know or not.

Wouldn't it be funny if it did end up in Arizona....lol !

Bob

Wouldn't that look great with "HARBOUR LIGHTS' on the side?

Maybe Bill could buy it and move it to San Diego. It would make a nice addition to the collection of historic vessels on San Diego harbor (harbour).

This morning there was one bid, which appears to have been retracted and replaced with another.

Last night when I did a search on Ebay for "Nantucket Lightship" I found quite a few listings for baskets. Wondering how they got this name lead me to find the following article:
http://www.thehistorynet.com/EarlyAmericanHomes/articles/1998/02982_text.htm

I'm thinking this might be a little out of JC's reach - not too bad on the price, but the shipping & handling will kill ya! Think maybe they need to come up with a catagory other than boating:general for this gem?

Mombo, you have that lake front property. Wouldn't this be a beaut parked out front? Probably would be the only one on your block to have a lightship. Then when we all come to visit you could take us out for a cruise. All you have to do is convince the IO that this is what you need. Maybe you could use your census $ for a deposit?

Dave

If each of the 500+ forum members chipped in $50 we could all own it!
Lightship Wacko! Hold our reunions there and take lighthouse tours on it

Dale |:{

Reading the rules & regs on this sale it seems to be an impossible situation for any bidder:

http://www.comm-pass.com/Comm-PASS/Scripts/xdoc_view.idc?doc_id=008571&dept_code=&cp_x x=

For example: Bidding closes on March 25. Winning bidder must remove the ship from it's present location by April 15, 2000.

You'd have about 3 weeks to get it out of Quincy.

However

[*]'Not operational. Repairs will have to be done to the engines, transmission, portions of the hull.'

[*] Nantucket I has asbestos used as pipe insulation throughout. Some damaged.

[*]9,000 - 11,000 gallons of fuel 'that is used for ballast.'

[*]The winner has to warrant all services will be performed in a 'professional, workmanlike, and timely manner by qualified personnel' and 'paying prevailing wages'. Providing 'all necessary and proper safety devices and equipment for all work...' No volunteer non-professionals.

[*]Hours for removal and all contract performances will be Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.' No working weekends.

I called to speak to the surplus property office about it. However they are off all day Friday - St. Patrick's Day must be a state holiday in Massachusetts.

Looks to me like you'd have to be in the marine salvedge business to even qualify -- and Nantucket I would probably be scrapped.

Too bad.


[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 03-17-2000).]

City employees in Boston have today off. It's a holiday called something queer like "Evacuation Day" and it just happens to fall on March 17th!

My daughter also said it would look good tied up here on the river, but my dock is only 8 feet long and the Census check won't cover it.

Darn shame if it can't be saved. There was a "Friends" group but apparently they were not successful in their efforts.

After looking at the list of criteria that John had posted its no wonder that nothing's been done. Some of it is obviously justified but some of the other requirements are a bit outlandish. Even if you could get it at the base bid of $25,000 it appears that you'd have another $75,000 (or more) in it before it ever leaves the dock. 'Seems like a good "Univeral" project for ALL "lovers of the lights" to get involved in. Ummmm...talk about logistics problems...but it would still seem worth it.

------------------
Brent

Get the feeling that the Commonwealth of Mass has no intention of or desire to save the ship? It would appear to be a lock that the only person who will be able to meet the requirements and move the ship will be someone who does this for a living- a salvage company.

imho,
Dave

Seems a real shame to let such an important historical vessel be salvaged for scrap. Sure hope someone wiht an interest in preserving it ends up with it.

Dale

I got a call-back this morning from Paul with the Metropolitan District Commission, current owner of the Lightship Nantucket.

The need for a quick removal is due to the fact that the current mooring is at Marina Bay which is a privately-owned marina which has been permitting mooring free, but are now anxious to have it gone. They might be persuaded to allow a longer move date, but that would have to be negotiated.

The MDC saved the lightship from the scrap pile about 13 years ago when it was offered by the federal government.

It is floating, and while the engines are not operational, it could be moved by tug to another location.

MDC offered the ship free to Massachusetts municipalities some months ago as well as to various marine-related historical sites -- 2 communities expressed some interest, but backed out for whatever reasons.

Having the Nantucket on e-bay has gained a lot of publicity -- especially in the Boston press. "It's been a lot of fun." Paul said.

"To maintain a lightship is very expensive," according to Paul.

He downplayed the asbestos problem, saying the exposed portion is only 4-6'.

It's definitely going to be sold. But MDC has no control over whether it gets sold to a scrap company or someone who wants it for its historical value. Paul acknowledges that a deal could 'fall-through' after closing on e-bay.

He certainly hopes that bidders review all the documents AND visit the lightship before bidding.

Thanks for the info, John. I sure hope that something "positive" happens...it would be ashame to see her turned into scrap!! There used to be an organization called the "National Lightship Trust" but I can't seem to find it on the internet. I had it "bookmarked" but nothing comes-up, now. I wonder if its still an active organization, and if it is...could they get involved and help out??

5 different bidders!
I know the National Lighthouse Museum was looking for one last year.

From the "code names" of the bidders, it looks as though the one who retracted may have been the one to save her.

Is there anyone we can write or e-mail , or call to encourage to step up and save this piece of history?

Dale|:-{

Current bid is $40,100

One of the bidders, not the high currently is www.salvor.com - a salvege company.

Another bidder, not the high one, is also a salvor - stripping the ship of fixtures to resell: www.weatherdeck.com

No telling who the Okie is who has the high bid.

Ummmmm.....doesn't sound too promising at this point.....
(looks like "weatherdeck" is back on top at $41,100 with alittle under a day and a half to go...I sure hope that there is a Preservation group "waiting in the wings" to make a final bid.....

[This message has been edited by Brent (edited 03-24-2000).]

Weathedeck is back on top now with only 1 day left!

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/nantucketlightship24.htm

Interesting article from the "Cape Cod Times"


------------------
Ken T

Thanks for the article, Ken. I'm trying to put something together before tomarrow but I don't think I've got enough time before the cut-off. My attorney advises against this unless we can get more time. I started too late, I'm afraid.... and underestimated a few "issues" involved that I never considered 18 hours ago.

[This message has been edited by Brent (edited 03-24-2000).]

With 19 hours left, a new note from the State of Mass (seller):

TO ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS: This is to inform you that there could be a delay in transferring title of the Nantucket I Lightship to the high bidder. Please keep in mind that the auction will proceed according to schedule. The high bidder is advised to contact Paul Guerino at (617) 720-3146 on Monday morning for further information.

Current High bid is $76,600.

A piece of America's nautical history sold today on ebay for $126,100.

There was some furious bidding as the hours ticked down. As of early today, the high bid was $41,000 based on a bid placed 3 days ago by okie9948@aol.com.

Then...

[*]10:01 AM sextantcapital upped the ante with a bid that would hold up to $81,500.

[*]12:34 PM aquapoise bid $85,200

[*]12:41 PM weatherdeck.com who had bid ealier tested the high bid of aquapoise but his bid of $82,200 didn't exceed.

[*]13:35 PM designkkg123 placed a high bid of $126,100, but for about half an hour, it looked like he would win it at $85,300

[*]13:58 PM with just a minute to go, terranceo who had been a high bidder a few days ago tested how high designkkg123 had gone. terranceo tested it all the way up to $126,000 -- at which point he decided not to go higher. His 'testing' ended up raising the price for designkkg123 by about $41,000 -- from $85,300 to $126,100. No telling how high a bid designkkg123 had actually placed - something in excess of $126,100, certainly.

No telling who this successful bidder is, perhaps we'll learn more. I have no knowledge of how much money it would take to move, repair and restore the Nantucket -- or whether as scrap it could be worth $126,100. But it sure would be a shame to see Nantucket I be scrapped.

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 03-25-2000).]

John,
Thanks for the update. If the new owner of the Lightship Nantucket take her to the breakers, it will be a sad day for the sailors that have gone to sea in these great red ships. Lets all hope that the new owner does the right thing and restores this proud vessel and saves another piece of our Nations history.

Mike H

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/archives/2000/mar/26/falmouthcouple's26.htm

The new owners!

------------------
Ken T

To change the link to the new archived location of the article....

[This message has been edited by engbrady (edited 03-29-2000).]

Thanks Ken. It's nice that it's being bought to preserve a Coast Guard tradition.
Hope they succeed in rehabilitating it.

Rich

------------------

Thanks for link, Ken!! I wish that guy and his wife all the luck in the world!!

I like stories with "happy endings".
Looks like this will work out "ok"
Thanks Ken for linking us to the "rest of the story".

Wow!!
That is the best news!!

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

Great news. Sometimes the good intentions and deep pockets come into alignment and the world is a better place for it. I'm also glad that the ship will remain in the Boston area. That's where she belongs.

------------------
-Art

It does look like the good guys may have won here. Certainly will be a novel use for the ship. Too bad it won't be used as a museum, but I'm sure it will look good on the Boston waterfront! Perhaps when all is completed we can make an appointment at one of the two businesses then ask for a tour while we're there.

Dave

Thanks for the hyperlink, Ken. That the best news I've had in quite a long time!

Better yet Dave, open it up on weekends for tours by the newly formed "Friends of the Nantucket Lightship Society."

This is indeed great news.

For some reason I can't open the link. Just get a message "Not Found"

Hope everything work out for them.

Dale

Electronic newspapers archive almost every day and when they do they change the url address. Here is the story about the new owners. It should stay the same link now. http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/archives/2000/mar/26/falmouthcouple's26.htm

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

I'm glad to see we all care about the "well" being of all aids to navigation no matter where we are in the country. I'm glad I brought this subject to matter, and wish the new owners enjoy it as much as one of us would.

---------------THE R-----------

What a great ending to this! I look forward to seeing how this couple does with this...
Ken, thanks for the link to the story.

Rusty

Here's a little further information on the lightship from Jeremy D'Entremont's site:
http://www.lighthouse.cc/news.html#anchor1895424

After more than two years since it was purchased on ebay, the Nantucket Lightship is now almost completely outfitted for a different purpose.

Anyone interested in a group charter on Nantucket Island? (Sorry, the lightship is just a place to stay, it won't get underway.)

http://www.ack.net/IM/current/2962news_storypage.html

It's ashame that all the historic value has been taken out of this once proud Lightship, but at least the image and the history of the lightship will live on. It's better than it being completely torn apart and scrapped.

Plus I guess it would be pretty cool to stay a week in an original lightship (for the small price of your monthly house mortgage).

I think this is a great way to preserve such a rare and fragile piece of nautical history. The ship looks beautiful on the outside, and I can only imagine what it would be like to stay in it.
It's good to see people who still care and are willing to do something like this to preserve a piece of history. Of course I'm sure it didn't enter their minds that they could make a mint off of it.

It's too bad that the MDC couldn't have spent the money required to restore the ship and open it to the public.

However, if it weren't for the Golden's it may well have wound up having been salvage. It's certainly unrealistic to think that they would want to live and work on it the way it was originally designed. It's their ship and their money. For those who cannot afford to stay aboard her it will at least be visible for those who wish to view and photograph. No different from those lighthouses that have been historically preserved on the outside but altered on the interior to accept paying guests, imo.

I wonder what great stuff was sent to the junkyard to make room for the improvements?

Looking for more watertight doors, Bob?