Tail of the Horseshoe Lightship Station (VA)

Historical Light List Characteristics

1905 Light 1: F W. W12. Light 2: F W. W12. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 575
1908 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 620
1915 Light 1: F W. W12 (1,000 cp). Light 2: F W. W12 (1,000 cp). USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 805
1917 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 834
1920 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 859

Historical Light List Optics and Structures

1905 Reflector Reflector N/A 45 Two-masts, schooner-rigged, no bowsprit, red hoop-iron daymark at each masthead. Hull straw color, with "TAIL OF THE HORSESHOE" in black on each side, and "No. 46" in black on each quarter. A black smokestack and fog signal are between the masts. Moored in 33 feet of water, to seaward of the southeasterly end of the Tail of the Horseshoe, inside the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, Va., and at the junction of the main ship channel up the bay with the channel to Hampton Roads. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 575
1908 Two-masts, schooner-rigged, no bowsprit, red hoop-iron daymark at each masthead; straw-colored hull, with "TAIL OF THE HORSESHOE" in black on each side, and "No. 46" in black on each quarter; black smokestack and fog signal are between the masts. Moored in 33 feet of water, to seaward of the SE'ly end of the Tail of the Horseshoe, Va., inside the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, at the junction of the main ship channel up the bay with the channel to Hampton Roads, 221° (SW 3/8 S) from Cape Charles Light-House, 33/8 miles 335° 30' (NNW 3/16 W) from Cape Henry Light-House, 93/4 miles 108° (ESE 3/8 E) from Thimble Shoal Light-House, and 171/4 miles 148° 15' (SSE 13/16 E) from York Spit Light-House. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 620
1915 N/A N/A Straw-colored hull, "TAIL OF SHOE" in black on sides; two masts, red grating at each masthead. In 6 fathoms, on seaward end of shoal. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 805
1917 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 834
1920 Red hull, "TAIL OF SHOE" in white on sides; two masts, red grating at each masthead. Station buoy LV/TS about 500 yards 280° from light vessel. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 859

Historical Light List Audible Fog Signals

1905 12-inch steam whistle; blasts 3 sec., silent intervals 27 sec. If whistle be disabled a bell will be rung by hand. LHB Light List (Atlantic): 575
1908 LHB Light List (Atlantic): 620
1915 12-inch steam whistle: Blast 3 sec. Silent 27 sec. Bell (hand) if whistle is disabled; will be rung rapidly 3 sec., silent 27 sec. USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 805
1917 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 834
1920 USLHS Light List (Atlantic): 859

Historical Light List Other Signals

1905 - 1922