Technical Specifications for LV 101/WAL 524
(provided by the US Coast Guard Historian’s Office)
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YEAR BUILT: 1916
BUILT AT: Wilmington (DE)
APPROPRIATION: ?
BUILDER: Pusey & Jones
CONTRACT PRICE: $108,507
SISTER VESSELS: LV 102 / WAL 525
DESIGN: Self propelled; steel whaleback hull; single large diameter tubular lantern mast forward; steel pilot house/bridge at foot of mast; small jigger mast aft
LENGTH: l0l'10" (loa); BEAM: 25'0"; DRAFT: 11'4"; TONNAGE: 360 displaced
PROPULSION: One 200 HP Meitz & Weiss 4 cylinder 2 cycle direct reversing kerosene engine; 4 bladed propeller; speed 8 knots
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS: 500mm lens with 6 flash panels revolved by weight-driven clockwork, kerosene lamp; housed in cylindrical lantern: 24,000 cp
FOG SIGNAL: 6" air siren; mushroom type horn on deck; compressor driven by two 40 HP kerosene engines; submarine bell; hand operated 1000 lb bell

CONSTRUCTION NOTES - MODIFICATIONS - EQUIPMENT CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS: LV 101/WAL 524
Launched Jan 12, 1916; completed and accepted September, 1916
1917: Illuminant changed from kerosene to acetylene
1919: Equipped with radio
1931: Equipped with radio beacon
1931: Illuminating apparatus converted to duplex 375 mm electric len~ lantern,13,OOOcp each lamp, original cylindrical lantern housing removed
1931: Fog signal changed to 10" air whistle
1944: Re-powered with Cooper-Bessemer 315HP diesel, 5'6" dia. propeller, max speed 8.2 knots
1963: USCG lists vessel with F2T diaphone, CR-i03 radar; max draft 12'2", other characteristics in line with above radio and visual call sign NMGQ (1940-1963)

STATION ASSIGNMENTS: LV 101 / WAL 524

1916-1924: Cape Charles-(VA)
1925-1926: Relief (VA) - (not used during entire year)
1926-1951: Overfalls (DE)
1951: Relief for Nantucket station (MA)
1951-1963: Stonehorse Shoal (MA)
1963-1964: Relief for Cross Rip station (MA)

(1942-1945: During WWII, remained on Overfalls station; no armament provided)

HISTORICAL NOTES: LV 101 / WAL 524
1916: Oct 4, placed on Cape Charles (VA)
1920: Feb 4, parted chain and engine broke down; anchored until engine repaired then regained station February 7
1930: June, radiobeacon of Overfalls LV 101 sequenced with Five Fathom and Winter Quarter stations
1951: Transferred to 1st District; overhauled at Boston then placed on
Stonehorse Shoal (MA) May 1951

More notes:

RETIRED FROM LIGHTSHIP DUTY: 1964; AGE: 48

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION: Decommissioned Mar 23, 1964; donated Sep 3, 1964; as of 1986 was dry berthed and open to the public as Portsmouth Lightship Museum, Portsmouth VA; marked with pseudo-name PORTSMOUTH

COMMANDING OFFICERS: LV 101 / WAL 524

1916-1917: A T Loss, Master
1916-1917: William H Harvey, Mate
1917: Charley E O'Neal, Mate
1917: Benjamin J Harris, Mate
1917: George Rollinson, Mate
1917-?: Frank L Dixon, Mate
1917-1921: Thomas S Simmons, Master
1921-?: Arthur M Hudson, Master
1941: BMC Otto E Lange, CO
1951: BMC Thurston L Peabody, CO
1963: BMC William Gauthier, OIC