Frying Pan Shoals Lightship

From the May 11, 2014, Wilmington (NC) Star-News."Back Then."

Of course, lightships and lighthouses would have to be extinguished for most of World War II what with the threat of German U-boats lurking off the coast in wait of prey.

One of those lights extinguished was the Frying Pan Shoals Lightship, the latest of a series of such ships that guared the dangerous shoals of that name dating back to the 1850s (with the exception of the Civil War).

From the May 16, 1964, Wilmington Star-News:  The town of Southport (near the mouth of the Cape Fear River) was trying to obtain the Frying Pan Shoals Lightship for a marine museum and memorial.  But, the Coast Guard decided to transfer it elsewhere.

The town had previously been told that the 133-foot ship would be sold by the government as surplus (after the Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower had been installed..  The FPS LV-115, WAL 537 had been use from 1930 to 1942 and then, after WW II from 1945 to 1964.

During World War II it had been used as training ship.  It was retired from duty in 1964 and sent to Cape May, New Jersey, as a relief ship and then decommissioned in 1965.  It sank in 1987, was raised in 1987, sold, and then restored.  It was listed on the NRHP in 1999.

It is currently in New York City at Pier 66a in the Chelsea neighborhood wgere it is a floating bar and party boat.

Have Your next Party on a Lightship (Find Your Way Home).  --GreGen