My hometown of Bay City, MI has a rich history of shipbuilding. At one time, no less than three shipbuilding companies were in operation. From steamers to warships to lightships, they were built by companies named Defoe, F.W. Wheeler, or Davidson.
A "Ships of our Past" article in the Sunday November 22 issue of The Bay City Times stated that the F.W. Wheeler Co. was issued the contract to build four lightships. These four were the first steam powered lightships to be owned by the U.S. Government. The contract was awarded in June 1891, and by November, two were almost complete, by February 1982 all four were nearly complete.
Lightship No. 51 was launched April 1892. Each of the two masts were equipped with four gimbaled lanterns containing electric lights. The electric lights were also a first for a government lightship. Also included was a fog whistle 12 inches in diameter, with a range of 15 miles.
Lightship No. 51 sank 27 years to the day of her launching, April 27, 1919. She was struck off Saybrook, Conn. by Standard Oil Co. tug, "Standard".
Does anyone have any other information on Lightship No. 51 or her sister ships? I am researching these a little further and will let everyone know what I find.
-Todd [is a lightship any lighter than any other ship?]
