- LV-42
Click image to see full-size version.
I will describe my image first, then fill you in on the particulars I have found.
My image was most-likely taken from a smaller sail boat, as evidenced by the bow showing at the lower-right of the image.
The large building in the background has a sign on the roof that reads, "Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co.", and that took quite a bit of Googling to find, too!
The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company was the largest producer of anthracite coal in the United States from 1871 through the 1920s.
At the dock, along with LV-42, there are at least 4 other ships.
The Admiralty Pattern anchor is hanging by a small(er) chain attached to a cross-beam by a pin or bolt going through the beam. The chain looks to be made from about 1" dia. links. (...guesstimate, of course!) I'm sure this isn't the usual travelling position for the anchor, as it would probably damage the hull with its fluke, even with the large anchor chain to steady it.
Just forward of the anchor, up on the deck, there is something under a canvas wrap.
Aft of that is the large signal bell, and further aft you can see 2 people standing at a metal railing near that forward cabin (shack?). I think they might both be young boys, maybe around 10 or 12 years old, judging from their clothing.
...stowaways? ...shanghaied??
The boy further aft actually seems to be holding a doll wearing a sailor cap.
Further aft, at the "Pollock Rip"sign, are the 2 (empty) lifeboat davits.
There are what looks like 2 men, maybe on a small raft or rowboat, near the stern of the ship sitting beyond the stern of LV-42. They are in shadow and out of focus, but maybe they are repairing or painting on that ship.
Here is some info I have found about this ship from the U.S. Coast Guard website:
In this image, the only other image I've found of LV-42, she is wearing her "Great Round Shoal" paint, after she was moved from Pollock Rip in 1892.
YEAR BUILT: 1877
BUILT AT: Brooklyn (NY)
BUILDER: J.D. Leary (Approp. 1876 Jul 31, "lightship with steam fog signal for an outside station")
APPROPRIATION: $50,000
CONTRACT PRICE: $40,796
DESIGN: Wood- white oak " locust; copper & galv. iron fastened; 2 masts with daymarks on both; small stack ahead of mainmast; 2 aux. steam boilers & steam pump
LENGTH: 1217" (loa); BEAM: 26'6"; DRAFT: l0'6"; TONNAGE: 410 gross
PROPULSION: Sail- schooner rig; fore and main carried on spencer masts
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 2 lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps
FOG SIGNAL: "Siren operated by hot-air engine"; hand operated bell
CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES " IMPROVEMENTS:
Underwent extensive repairs 1887 Sep 18-Apr 4 1888; 1891 May 19-Jun 31: 1898: Nov 23-Jan 3 1899; 1900 Aug 28-Oct 1
Other repairs and refits 1886 Dec-Mar 1887; 1895 Oct 1-Nov 2 and May 3-Jun 1; 1901: Sep 2-Oct 7; 1904 Nov 6-29
1877: Reported "largest " strongest lightship in possession of the government"
1878: Hot-air driven fog signal reported "wholly unsuitable'
1880: Mushroom replaced with 3 "ordinary" anchors placed N, B, " SW of position
1882: 12" whistle and steam fog signal machinery replaced hot air system
1895: Hornsby-Ackroyd oil engine and compressor replaced steam fog signal
1910: Equipped with submarine bell signal; fog signal changed to 10" air whistle
1919: Equipped with radio; discontinued 1923
1926: Masts removed " replaced with steel lattice light structure amidships; equipped with acetylene lens lantern; light changed from fixed to flashing.
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1877-1892: Pollock Rip (MA)
1892-1913: Great Round Shoal (MA)
1913-1932: Hen and Chickens (MA)
(1883 Position moved 3/4 mi NW )
(1886 "If Northeast Slue Channel continues to change. ..may be necessary to put the ship on range with Sankaty Head Light and abandon the Slue Channel ")
HISTORICAL NOTES:
1877: Dec 1, placed on Pollock Rip (MA)
1880: Dec 26, parted chain and adrift
1881: In collision once during year; colliding vessel sank near station
1882: Broke adrift once during year
1884: In collision twice during the year
1885: In collision twice during the year
1886: Dec 26, broke adrift in gale; taken to New Bedford for repair; returned to station Mar 1887
1887: Apr 2, broke adrift in gale and blown 60 miles to sea, returned to station under sail Apr 15
1887: In collision twice during the year
1888: Nov 26, broke adrift; returned to station by chartered tug Dec 29
1889: In collision Mar 28 and Mar 31
1891: Oct 4, broke adrift; picked up by AZALEA and towed to Hyannis Oct 15; repositioned on station Oct 16
1892: Mar 1, parted chain; anchored SW of Great Point; replaced on station Mar 6
1892: Fog signal operated 1146 hours during year, consuming 59 tons of coal
More notes: LV 42
1892: Nov 1, placed on Great Round Shoal; with LV 47 being simultaneously transferred to Pollock Rip
1893/94: Remained on station continuously during both years
1895: Jul 1, fog signal discontinued due to boiler failure, bell used until vessel brought in for repairs Oct 1
1896:Dec 16, broke adrift and assisted back to station by Azalea
1900:Jun 15, fire damage due to explosion of vaporizer lamp used to start kerosene fog signal engines
1900: Aug 28-Oct 21, relieved for extensive rearrangement of interior spaces
1901: Sep 2-Oct 7, relieved for repairs to fog signal machinery
1903: Remained on station during entire year
1904: Nov 6-29, relieved for repairs at New Bedford
1913: Placed on Hen and Chickens station
RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1931; AGE: 54
SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Sold 1932; burned at Apple Island, Boston Harbor as part of July 4 celebration in 1940.
