Of the dozen historic lightships that remain, WLV-612 is one of the more notable.
Built in 1950, she spent nearly 20 years stationed off California’s Golden Gate as the San Francisco Lightship, then served off Cape Mendocino as the Blunts Reef Lightship. She transited the Panama Canal for deployment off Portland, Maine, as the Portland Lightship from 1971 to ’75, then was reassigned as the Nantucket Lightship to mark Nantucket Shoals from 1975 to ’83. Decommissioned in 1985, the 128-footer was meticulously restored as a private yacht and outfitted with a master stateroom, five guest staterooms, a grand saloon with dining for 12, a library and an entertainment room. She’s listed with Nicholson Yachts in Newport, Rhode Island, for $5.2 million. nicholsonyachts.com
Maine’s Prometheus
George Washington hired the masons who built Maine’s first lighthouse, Portland Head Light. Perched on the rocky coast in Cape Elizabeth, the light has marked the entrance to Portland Harbor since 1791 and is said to have been the inspiration for the poem “The Lighthouse” by Portland native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: The rocky ledge runs far into the sea/And on its outer point, some miles away/The Lighthouse lifts its massive masonry/A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day.
Learning Under Sail
As part of her mission to provide education at sea, the tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry will be based in Florida in March, offering two round-trip cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Cuba (March 10-18 and 18-26). In April, the 200-foot ship is scheduled to make her way back to the Northeast, sailing legs from Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda and from Bermuda to Newport, Rhode Island. Visit ohpri.org for pricing and requirements.
1,156 …
… the amount of food, in pounds, donated to the Connecticut Food Bank during the Stuff a Boat Holiday Food Drive (sponsored by S&S Marine, Parthenon Diner and Soundings)
This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue.
