 Light Vessel No.57 at Toledo, Ohio | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Light Vessel No.57 |
| Builder | Craig Shipbuilding |
| Launched | 1891 |
| In service | 1891 |
| Out of service | 1924 |
| Fate | Wrecked |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Lightvessel |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Beam | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Depth | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
LIGHT VESSEL No.57 (Shipwreck) | |
   | |
| Location | 600 ft (180 m) south of South Shore Park's northern tip right along the shore |
| Nearest city | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 43°00′06″N87°53′08″W / 43.001533°N 87.8855°W /43.001533; -87.8855 |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Craig Shipbuilding Company |
| Architectural style | Lightvessel |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001823[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 16, 1996 |
Light Vessel No.57 (also known asLightship No.57 orLV57) was an Americanlightvessel that was built in 1891 and served on theGreat Lakes (Lake Michigan), west of theStraits of Mackinac (the reef is now the site of theGrays Reef Light), from her construction to her retirement in 1924. She was partly dismantled, used as a clubhouse, and wrecked by a storm at some time after 1928.[2] On December 16, 1996 the remains ofLight Vessel No.57 were listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[1]
Light Vessel No.57 was built in 1891 inToledo, Ohio byCraig Shipbuilding at a cost of $14,225. She was one of three federal lightvessels designed for use during the navigational season as an experiment to avoid the construction of a much more expensive permanent lighthouse. Her wooden hull was 90 feet (27 m) long, and was built ofwhite oak planks that were fastened together with 5.8-inch (150 mm) iron spikes.[3] Herbeam was 20 feet (6.1 m) wide, and herdraft was 9 feet (2.7 m) deep. She also had agross register tonnage of 130 tons, with anet register tonnage of 101 tons.[4][5] She had twomasts, with clusters of three oil-burning lens lanterns that were hoisted onto each masthead. She had a top speed of 8knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[3]
From 1891 to 1923Light Vessel No.57 was stationed at Gray's Reef, a ridge of rock 18 miles (29 km) west of theMackinac Bridge in northeasternLake Michigan. Due to the increased ship traffic in the area, it was decided that she would be moved to Gray's Reef to make the area safer.[3]
Light Vessel No.57 was retired in 1923. In 1924 she was sold to the South Shore Yacht Club,Milwaukee, Wisconsin,[4] and was no longer in the federal government's records. Later she was condemned, dismantled, and moved to Milwaukee. She lay in Norwegian Alley for several years. In 1928Light Vessel No.57 was taken to South Shore Beach, Milwaukee and used as a clubhouse until she was wrecked by a storm several years later.[6]
A November 28, 1926 issue of theMilwaukee Journal Sentinel reported thatLight Vessel No.57 was bought by a junk dealer who "removed the pig iron and sold it with all else removable and salable."[6]
The remains ofLight Vessel No.57 were discovered by divers along the shore, about 600 feet (180 m) south off the tip of South Shore Park. One of the divers reported that while most of the ship was buried under silt in 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 m) of water, with some parts of her hull poking through the lake floor.[7]
In November 2018, the Sprecher Brewery released a beer named afterLight Vessel No.57.[8]
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