AMBROSE (lightship)
About this property
The United States Lightship LV-87/WAL-512 (Ambrose) is a riveted steel lightship built in 1907 and served at the Ambrose Channel lightship station from December 1, 1908, until 1932, and in other posts until her decommissioning in 1966. It is one of a small number of preserved American lightships, and now serves as a museum ship at the South Street Seaport Museum in Lower Manhattan, New York City. In 1921, the first radio beacon in the United States was installed in the ship's radio shack. This addition greatly assisted ships navigating the congested Ambrose Channel in dense fog. LV-87 would also be the last steam-powered vessel to hold the Ambrose Channel post. After the end of her Ambrose Channel assignment in 1932, LV-87 underwent a major refit, most significantly switching from steam propulsion to a direct drive Winton Diesel engine, as well as the removal of her anchor burton on her bow and a reorganization of her deck structures. Afterward, the ship was assigned to various posts which included being used as an examination vessel during World War II. Although her final post was at the Scotland Station she is commonly known by the name of her most famous station, Ambrose. LV-87 was decommissioned on March 4, 1966, from the Coast Guard after 59 years of service. In 1968 she was given to the South Street Seaport Museum in Lower Manhattan. Currently she is moored at Pier 16 on the East River and is used as a floating exhibit. In April 1989, the lightship was declared a National Historic Landmark. Media related to Ambrose (ship, 1907) at Wikimedia Commons U.S. Coast Guard Lightships & Those of the U.S. Lighthouse Service VESSEL DESIGNATION: LV 87/WAL 512
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Questions about this property
When was AMBROSE (lightship) listed on the National Register?
AMBROSE (lightship) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 6, 1984.
What type of historic resource is AMBROSE (lightship)?
AMBROSE (lightship) is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is AMBROSE (lightship) a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. AMBROSE (lightship) has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for AMBROSE (lightship)?
The period of significance for AMBROSE (lightship) is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near AMBROSE (lightship)?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near AMBROSE (lightship) will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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