Ron J
Active member
This Summer, what there was of it, sure flew by! Can't believe it is October already. Guess its been awhile since i posted a story... I have "stopped by" to see what's up with all of you, briefly. Royals new barn, Fred's grandson,growing up fast, Wayne and your wife are feeling better I hope, as well as Mikie and his wife. George's daughter, in an accident etc. Time flies by as you get older... Besides house repairs, and boating when possible,and still working,of course, I have been kept pretty busy.
Remember almost a year ago, I attended the Lightship Sailors 10th reunion in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. Next week I am flying to Concord California to attend their 11th reunion! With my strong interest in Coast Guard, Live Saving Stations, and Lightships, and the Coast Guard Heritage Museum, and Lightship Sailors Museum, I have met a lot of new friends, and have became a member of the LSA. (Lightship Sailors Association). Due to me contributing Photo's and information I had acquired to the LSA, I was asked by Larry Ryan, LSA President, to consider taking on the task as their LSA Historian! That was in June. After finding out the perimeters of this Title, I accepted the position, after being elected by the Board of Directors.
In a nutshell, the most important thing is, during this reunion and the next two annual reunions will be to Video or Audio record as many Lightship Sailors personally as possible. To gather their personal history, and to hopefully hear a great sea story or personal experience from each of these gentlemen. I have heard or read a few, and believe me they are classic! This group is unique, as there are no more active Lightships, since 1983! Most of the LSA are getting up there in age. I would guess the average age between 69 to 78?
You must realize, as a crew member on a Lightship, you would be on a bright RED target. A Lightship did not move from its position, period! Hurricane's, cold weather, didn't matter.Neither did the crew! Duty ranged over the years from month's at a time, to maybe 3 weeks rotation, weather permitting... The ships duty was to mark a dangerous shoal or rocks in major shipping lanes. So dangerous, a Lighthouse could not be built as a permanent fixture.
Also part of the job, is to follow up on leads, that is if an LSA Sailor, or relative has an artifact, or personal belongings, they wish to donate to the LSA Museum, and they live in New England, I just may make a visit to gather the artifact or just to gather information. So far I have visited to Wells Maine, and to Provincetown, (Cape Cod) to interview leads. Some packets of stories have been mailed to me. I then summarize the information and write a follow-up report.
Bottom line, is there will never be any new Lightship Sailors. Age is creeping up fast, and time is of the essence. So, I have a job cut out for me, but you know what? I really enjoy this. Only regret, is I never asked my Dad, for a personal interview regarding his 27 + years in the Coast Guard. At least I can keep up his memory at the Coast Guard Heritage Museum, with his personal belongings and photo's on display.
Like here, on the 20th Century Tales Forum, I have met a lot of great friends in the LSA. In the near future, i will try to post a couple of short Sea Stories. Rj
Remember almost a year ago, I attended the Lightship Sailors 10th reunion in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. Next week I am flying to Concord California to attend their 11th reunion! With my strong interest in Coast Guard, Live Saving Stations, and Lightships, and the Coast Guard Heritage Museum, and Lightship Sailors Museum, I have met a lot of new friends, and have became a member of the LSA. (Lightship Sailors Association). Due to me contributing Photo's and information I had acquired to the LSA, I was asked by Larry Ryan, LSA President, to consider taking on the task as their LSA Historian! That was in June. After finding out the perimeters of this Title, I accepted the position, after being elected by the Board of Directors.
In a nutshell, the most important thing is, during this reunion and the next two annual reunions will be to Video or Audio record as many Lightship Sailors personally as possible. To gather their personal history, and to hopefully hear a great sea story or personal experience from each of these gentlemen. I have heard or read a few, and believe me they are classic! This group is unique, as there are no more active Lightships, since 1983! Most of the LSA are getting up there in age. I would guess the average age between 69 to 78?
You must realize, as a crew member on a Lightship, you would be on a bright RED target. A Lightship did not move from its position, period! Hurricane's, cold weather, didn't matter.Neither did the crew! Duty ranged over the years from month's at a time, to maybe 3 weeks rotation, weather permitting... The ships duty was to mark a dangerous shoal or rocks in major shipping lanes. So dangerous, a Lighthouse could not be built as a permanent fixture.
Also part of the job, is to follow up on leads, that is if an LSA Sailor, or relative has an artifact, or personal belongings, they wish to donate to the LSA Museum, and they live in New England, I just may make a visit to gather the artifact or just to gather information. So far I have visited to Wells Maine, and to Provincetown, (Cape Cod) to interview leads. Some packets of stories have been mailed to me. I then summarize the information and write a follow-up report.
Bottom line, is there will never be any new Lightship Sailors. Age is creeping up fast, and time is of the essence. So, I have a job cut out for me, but you know what? I really enjoy this. Only regret, is I never asked my Dad, for a personal interview regarding his 27 + years in the Coast Guard. At least I can keep up his memory at the Coast Guard Heritage Museum, with his personal belongings and photo's on display.
Like here, on the 20th Century Tales Forum, I have met a lot of great friends in the LSA. In the near future, i will try to post a couple of short Sea Stories. Rj
