Huron Lightship

Lightships were like floating lighthouses anchored in areas where it was too deep, expensive or impractical to construct a lighthouse. Lightships displayed a light at the top of a mast and in areas of fog also sounded a fog signal and radio beacon. The fog signals used over the years consisted of bells, whistles, trumpets, sirens, and horns. Fog horns were powered by steam in the early days and later by air compressors. The Huron Lightship sounded her fog horn signal in a 3 second blast every 30 seconds and was known locally as "Old B.O." because of the familiar sound her horn made.

As you look at the guide, you will quickly see that it is divided into several different compartments. A brief description of each of these sections will help you understand how the lightship functioned so well.  A Crew of 8-10 worked 7 days on / 4 days off from March through November, leaving the boat by a skiff with a small outboard for staff changes and supply runs.

The HURON Lightship was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes, and served for over 50 years when she was retired in 1070.  For 36 of those years, she was stationed at Corsica Shoals, a sandy area 6 miles north of Port Huron.  She was permanently moored in sand, along the banks of the St. Clair River in scenic Pine Grove Park, Port Huron, MI.  There is an extensive collection of artifacts, including many model ships, as well as a live camera feed of the bottom of the river, taken off a camera positioned in the bow.  It was dedicated in 1990 as a National Historic Landmark.

If you have any questions or comments, please email the site manager, Jerry Rome at lightship@phmuseum.org

Did You Know?

During storms, sailors on the lightship placed their plates on wet rags on the metal galley tables, which created a suction to hold their food in place even as the ship rolled with the waves!