Preservation Initiative

This is a terrific story of a group of individuals taking the initiative to preserve maritime history. Through their efforts, the Nantucket Shoals Lightship Station was rescued from decay and the scrap heap and relocated back to its original home port of Boston.

Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 built in 1936, was the largest ever constructed serving until 1983. It was last to be decommissioned and longest serving for 39 years. A total of 179 were built, now only 15 remain. Somehow they managed to replace the original steam engine with an 8 cylinder diesel engine in 1960.

The Council of American Maritime Museums is a fine resource for maritime preservation.