Nantucket Shoals Lightship Station (MA)

Historical Light List Characteristics

1858 Light 1: F W. W12. Light 2: F W. W12. LHB Light List (US): 83
1860 LHB Light List (US): 75
1865-1866 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 75
1870 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 77
1878-1879 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 100
1886 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 101
1888 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 104
1893 Light 1: F W. W111/4. Light 2: F W. W111/4. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 115
1898 Light 1: Oc W 15s. W13. ec 3. Light 2: Oc W 15s. W13. ec 3. Four lanterns encircling each masthead; electric. If the electric-light apparatus should become inoperative, the lights will show fixed white without eclipses and will be less brilliant than the electric lights. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 142
1899 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 146
1905 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 155
1908 Light 1: Oc W 15s. W121/2. ec 3. Light 2: Oc W 15s. W121/2. ec 3. Three lanterns encircling each masthead. (e. i.) If the electric-light apparatus should become inoperative, the lights will show fixed white without eclipses and will be less brilliant than the electric lights. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 163
1915 Oc W 15s. W11 (400 cp). ec 3. If occulting light is inoperative, light of less intensity will show fixed white without eclipses. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 208
1917 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 214
1920 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 219
1927 Oc W 15s. W14 (3,000 cp). ec 3. If occulting light is inoperative, fixed white light of less intensity will show temporarily. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 221
1931 Fl(3) W 8s. W14 (16,000 cp). Fixed white light if flashing light inoperative. Riding light F. W. 40 cp., on forestay. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 262
1935 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 281
1946 Fl(3) W 9s. W14 (20,000 cp). Riding light F. W. 40 cp. on forestay. USCG Light List (Atlantic): 468
1947
1950
1951
1952
1953 USCG Light List - Vol. I-VI: 68
1954
1955
1957
1959 Fl(3) W 10s. W13 (17,000 cp). Fixed white riding light, 40 cp on forestay. USCG Light List - Vol. I-V: 69
1960
1961 Fl(2) W 10s. W14 (500,000 cp). Fixed white riding light, 40 cp on forestay. USCG Light List - Vol. I: 69
1963
1965
1966 Fl(2) W 10s. W14 (400,000 cp). Fixed white riding light, 40 cp on forestay. USCG Light List - Vol. I: 73
1969
1970
1972
1973 Fl(2) W 10s. W23. Fixed white riding light, on forestay.
1974
1976
1978
1982

Historical Light List Optics and Structures

1858 Reflector Reflector N/A 44 Two reflector lights. This light-vessel is schooner-rigged, has two hoop-iron day-marks (one at each mast-head) painted red. Hull painted red, with the words "Nantucket Shoals" in white letters on each side. Fog-bell and signal guns. Placed about two miles south of the southern extremity of Davis' New South shoal of Nantucket in 14 fathoms water. LHB Light List (US): 83
1860 Two reflector lights. This light-vessel is schooner-rigged, has two hoop-iron day-marks (one at each mast-head) painted red. Hull painted red, with the words "Nantucket Shoals," in white letters, on each side. Placed about two miles south of the southern extremity of Davis' New South shoal of Nantucket, in 14 fathoms water. LHB Light List (US): 75
1865 Two reflector lights. This light-vessel is schooner-rigged, has two hoop-iron day-marks (one at each mast-head) painted red. Hull painted red, with the words "Nantucket Shoals" in white letters, on each side. Placed about 2 miles south of the southern extremity of Davis' New South shoal of Nantucket, in 14 fathoms water. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 75
1866
1870 Two reflector-lights. This light-vessel is schooner-rigged, has two hoop-iron day-marks (one at each mast-head) painted red. Hull painted red, with the words "Nantucket Shoals," in white letters, on each side. Placed about 2 miles south of the southern extremity of Davis's New South shoal of Nantucket, in 14 fathoms water. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 77
1878 Two reflector lights. This light-ship is schooner-rigged, has two hoop-iron day-marks (one at each mast-head) painted red. Hull painted red, with the words "Nantucket Shoals," in white letters, on each side. Placed about 3 miles S. SE. of the shoalest part of Davis New South shoal. A red can buoy, marked "South Shoal" on the head, has been placed midway between the light-ship and the shoal off Nantucket, in 14 fathoms water. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 100
1879
1886 Two masts, schooner-rigged; red hoop-iron day-mark at each mast-head. Hull, red, with the words "NANTUCKET NEW SOUTH SHOAL, No. 1," in white letters on each side. Placed about 3 miles S. S. E. of the shoalest part of Davis New South shoal. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 101
1888 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 104
1893 373/4 Two masts, schooner-rigged, and no bowsprit. The mastheads are white, and at each there is a red, circular, iron cagework day-mark. The hull is red, with the words "NANTUCKET NEW SOUTH SHOAL" in large white letters on each side and "54" in large white figures on each bow. A black smokestack and the fog signal are between the masts. Moored about 12 miles SSW. 3/4 W. of the shoalest part of New South Shoal, Mass LHB Light List (Atlantic): 115
1898 Lens lantern Lens lantern 57 Flush deck, steam light-vessel, two masts, schooner-rigged, no bowsprit. Circular white gallery under the lens lanterns at each masthead. Hull red, with "NANTUCKET SHOALS" in white on each side and "66" in white on each bow and each quarter. A large and a small black smokestack and the fog signal are between the masts. Moored in 180 feet of water about 141/2 miles SW. by W. from Asia Rip, Phelps Bank, Nantucket Shoals, Mass. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 142
1899 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 146
1905 Flush deck, steam light-vessel, two masts, schooner-rigged, no bowsprit. Circular white gallery under the lens lanterns at each masthead. Hull red, with "NANTUCKET SHOALS" in white on each side and "66" in white on each bow and each quarter. A large and a small black smokestack and the fog signal are between the masts, and a small white house forward. Moored in 180 feet of water, about 14 miles SW. by W. from Asia Rip, Phelps Bank, Nantucket Shoals, and about 40 miles to the soutward and eastward of Nantucket Island, Mass. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 155
1908 50 Flush-deck, steam, schooner-rigged vessel, no bowsprit; two straw-colored masts, wtin 28-foot, bright topmasts, and a wireless-telegraph yard on each mast; white, circular, hoop-iron daymark at each masthead; red hull with "NANTUCKET SHOALS" in white on each side and "85" in white on each bow and each quarter; black smokestack and the fog signal are between the masts. Moored in 180 feet of water, about 14 miles 236° 15' (SW by W) from Asia Rip, Phelps Bank, Nantucket Shoals, and about 40 miles to the S'd and E'd of Nantucket Island, Mass. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 163
1915 N/A N/A N/A Red hull; "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts; red, circular grating and wireless-telegraph at each masthead. In 30 fathoms, about 14 miles 224° from Asia Rip, Phelps Bank, Nantucket Shoals. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 208
1917 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, red circular grating and radio yard at each masthead. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 214
1920 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, red circular grating and radio yard at each masthead. Station whistling buoy, red, with LV/N in black, about 5/8 mile 340° from light vessel. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 219
1927 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, red circular grating and radio yard at each masthead. Station whistling buoy, red, with LS/N in black, about 0.6 mile 340° from lightship. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 221
1931 500 mm ei NA NA Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, red circular grating and radio yard at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy, about 0.6 mile 340° from lightship. In 180 feet, 14 miles 224° from Asia Rip, Phelps Bank, Nantucket Shoals. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 262
1935 375 mm ei Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, red lantern gallery and radio yard at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy, about 0.6 mile 340° from lightship. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 281
1946 500 mm e Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy, 0.6 mile 340° from lightship. USCG Light List (Atlantic): 468
1947 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy, 1 mile 55° from lightship.
1950
1951
1952
1953 N/A Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy, 1 mile 055° from lightship. USCG Light List - Vol. I-VI: 68
1954 In 192 feet, 50 miles southeasterly of Nantucket Island.
1955
1957 In 192 feet.
1959 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with radar reflector, 1 mile 055° from lightship. USCG Light List - Vol. I-V: 69
1960
1961 USCG Light List - Vol. I: 69
1963 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with radar reflector, and white visual reflector, 1 mile 055° from lightship.
1965 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with radar reflector, and white reflector, 1 mile 055° from lightship.
1966 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with Ra ref., and white reflector, 1 mile 055° from lightship. USCG Light List - Vol. I: 73
1969 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with Ra ref., and white reflector, 1 mile 089° from lightship.
1970
1972
1973 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red station whistle buoy lettered LS/N with Ra ref., and white reflector, 1000 yards 089° from lightship.
1974
1976
1978
1982 Red hull, "NANTUCKET" on sides; two masts, circular gallery at each masthead. Red nun station buoy lettered LS/N with Ra ref., and red reflector, 1000 yards 089° from lightship.

Historical Light List Audible Fog Signals

1858 Bell & guns. None LHB Light List (US): 83
1860 Bell, horn, & guns. LHB Light List (US): 75
1865 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 75
1866 Bell, horn, & gun.
1870 A bell, horn, and gun. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 77
1878-1879 A bell and fog-horn. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 100
1886 Bell or horn. LHB Light List (All Coasts): 101
1888 LHB Light List (All Coasts): 104
1893 12-inch steam whistle; alternate blasts of 2 sec., and 6 sec.; alternate silent intervals of 28 sec. and 24 sec. If whistle be disabled a bell will be rung by hand. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 115
1898 12-inch steam chime whistle; blasts 5 sec.; silent intervals 55 sec. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 142
1899 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 146
1905 12-inch, steam, chime whistle; blasts 5 sec.; silent intervals 55 sec. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 155
1908 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 163
1915 12-inch steam whistle: Blast 5 sec. Silent 25 sec. Bell (hand) if whistle is disabled. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 208
1917 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 214
1920 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 219
1927 12-inch steam chime whistle: Blast 5 sec. Silent 25 sec. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 221
1931 WHISTLE, 12-inch steam chime: Blast 3 sec., silent 12 sec. Bell hand, if whistle disabled. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 262
1935 WHISTLE, air: Blast 3 sec., silent 12 sec., repeated for 21/2 minutes, silent 23 sec., blast 1 sec., silent 1 sec., blast 5 sec. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 281
1946-1947 DIAPHONE, two-tone, air; blast 3 sec., silent 12 sec. Whistle, steam if diaphone inoperative. USCG Light List (Atlantic): 468
1950-1952
1953 DIAPHONE, two-tone; when operating, is synchronized with radiobeacon ev 3 minutes for distance finding. Whistle, 1 blast ev 15s (3sbl), if diaphone is disabled. USCG Light List - Vol. I-VI: 68
1954-1955 DIAPHONE, two-tone; when operating, is synchronized with radiobeacon ev 3 minutes for distance finding.
1957
1959-1960 Bell, hand; gp of 2 strokes ev 15s, if diaphone is disabled. USCG Light List - Vol. I-V: 69
1961 Whistle, 1 blast ev 15s, if diaphone is disabled. USCG Light List - Vol. I: 69
1963 Whistle, 1 blast ev 15s (3sbl), if diaphone is disabled.
1965
1966 USCG Light List - Vol. I: 73
1969 DIAPHONE, two-tone; when operating, is synchronized with radiobeacon ev 6 minutes for distance finding. Whistle, 1 blast ev 15s (3sbl), if diaphone is inoperative.
1970 DIAPHONE, two-tone; 1 blast ev 30s (3sbl). when operating, is synchronized with radiobeacon ev 6 minutes for distance finding. Whistle, 1 blast ev 30s (3sbl), if diaphone is inoperative.
1972-1973
1974 DIAPHONE, two-tone; 1 blast ev 30s (3sbl).
1976 DIAPHONE: Two-tone; 1 blast ev 30s (3sbl).
1978
1982 DIAPHONE: Two-[tone]; 1 blast ev 30s (3sbl).

Historical Light List Other Signals

1927 Radiobeacon: Sounds every 90 sec. gps. of 4 dashes for 60 sec., silent 30 sec. Submarine oscillator; 2 gps. of 6 blasts each every 90 sec.: Blasts each 1 sec. duration. Silence between gps. of blasts each 12 sec. Long silence 31 sec. If oscillator inoperative submarine bell will sound gp. 6 strokes every 30 sec. Interval between gps. of strokes each 15 sec. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 221
1931 RADIOBEACON: Transmits gps. of 4 dashes. SUBMARINE OSCILLATOR; 2 gps. 6 blasts each every 90 sec.: Blasts 1 sec. each. Silence between blasts 3.5 sec. each, silence between groups 12 sec. Long silence 31 sec. Submarine bell if oscillator inoperative; gp. 6 strokes every 30 sec., 3 sec. between strokes, 15 sec. between groups of strokes. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 262
1935 RADIOBEACON: Transmits gps. of . WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute preceeding the regular radiobeacon to serve as a warning to vessels that they are in the vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. These signals may also be used for taking bearings with direction finder in the customary way. The range will vary with receiving conditions. The first 5 seconds of each minute of its operation is of higher power to attract attention. Mariners may judge their approximate nearness to the lightship by their hearing of this warning beacon and by the width of no signal on their direction finder when observing it. DISTANCE-FINDING STATION. SUBMARINE OSCILLATOR; gps. 3 blasts each every 15 sec., silence between blasts 1 sec. each, silence between groups 10 sec., repeated for 21/2 minutes, silent 23 sec., blast 1 sec., silent 1 sec., blast 5 sec. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 281
1946 RADIOBEACON: Transmits on 314 kc, groups of 4 dashes (). Antenna lead-in at center of ship. WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute following the regular radiobeacon to serve as a warning to vessels that they are in the vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. DISTANCE-FINDING STATION. NoneUSCG Light List (Atlantic): 468
1947
1950
1951
1952
1953 RADIOBEACON: 314 kc. (Code: ). Antenna at center of ship. WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute following regular radiobeacon to serve as warning to vessels that they are in vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. USCG Light List - Vol. I-VI: 68
1954
1955
1957
1959 RADIOBEACON: 314 kc (Code: ). Antenna at center of ship. WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute following regular radiobeacon to serve as warning to vessels that they are in vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. USCG Light List - Vol. I-V: 69
1960
1961 USCG Light List - Vol. I: 69
1963 RADIOBEACON: 314 kc (Code:). Antenna at center of ship. WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute following regular radiobeacon to serve as warning to vessels that they are in vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. Distance Finding station.
1965
1966 RADIOBEACON: 302 kc (Code:). Antenna at center of ship. WARNING RADIOBEACON of short range emits a distinctive warble note for 1 minute following regular radiobeacon to serve as warning to vessels that they are in vicinity of the lightship and must navigate with caution. Distance Finding station. USCG Light List - Vol. I: 73
1969 RADIOBEACON: 302 kc (Code:). Antenna at center of ship.
1970 RADIOBEACON: Antenna at center of ship.
1972-1974
1976 RBN: 302 kHz ()II. Antenna at center of ship.
1978 RBN: 286 kHz ()II. Antenna at center of ship.
1982 RBN: 286 kHz NS()II. Antenna at center of ship.
1854 - 1883
1884 - 1891
1892 - 1895
1896 - 1945 (Marked by buoy 1942-1945.)
1946 - 1954
1955 - 1983