One of the last remaining Lightships For Sale

07/21/03 1:29 AM

1-800-758-1444

A rare opportunity for a preservation group or museum is now available. The lightship WLV-529, one of the last remaining 13 lightships in the nation is for sale or possible lease.

The WLV-529 served from1923-1933 as the Cape Lookout Shoals Lightship in North Carolina, the Winterquarter Lightship in Virgina from 1934-1961, and the Delaware Lightship Station from 1961-1965.

The Lightship is now owned by an antique dealer who is interested in finding a good home for it. Allan Weiner, the current owner, said he has had offers from someone that wanted to make it a flourishing restaurant and other uses, but he would prefer that the historic vessel be preserved as she was meant to be.

Although the vessel needs restoration, it is in remarkably good shape. It has its original anchors, bell, generator, engine, and most of the pilot house. The Lightship, built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine in 1922, is 133 feet long. Its displacement full is 750 tons and light is 531 tons. It has a fresh water capacity of 13,020 gallons, and a fuel capacity of 54,550 gallons. The vessel has 3-GMC marine diesel engine driven air compressors complete with operating instructions and three marine diesel driven generator sets also with operating instructions. Tools and mechanical and eletrical spare parts are included and are stored forward and aft on the loer deck. The light has a 13,000 candlepower.

The lightship is currently in Southern New Jersey and would have to be towed to its new home.

For additional information you can write the owner, Allan Weiner, at 97 High Street, Kennebunk, Maine 04043 or call him at 207-985-7547.

This story appeared in the October 1995 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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