The Loss of Lightship 58

Historical records of the United States Lighthouse Service contain many accounts of peril and heroism associated with collisions, sinkings, and other disastrous events that befell some of our lightships. One of the more interesting and unusual cases concerns the loss of Light Vessel No. 58 (LV 58) on Nantucket Shoals in December 1905; a story involving superb seamanship and devotion to duty that led to rescue of the lightship crew under severe weather conditions. After the incident, some peculiar happenings caused a public reaction from coast to coast.