Ron J
Active member
When i asked the gentleman that was on the deck of the Nantucket I, what's the where abouts of the "NEW BEDFORD" he informed me "she was scrapped last June!", i was quite surprised,and sad to here of her demise! I don't mind telling you,i really that that $ucked! Big time! 
I had an idea,that would happen...a real Bummer!! I was very fortunate to visit New Bedford last April,and got to snap a few pics,from a distance. These were taken from the Fish Pier,by me. I really feel lucky to have taken them ! Last time i would ever see her! [attachment 70847 newbedford033.jpg][attachment 70848 newbedford035.jpg][attachment 70849 newbedford045.jpg] I had read a couple of months earlier,that she had been in tough shape,and had been partly submerged,half sunk really.[attachment 70853 08k.jpg] (Note: this was not my photo,was posted on line by www.southcoasttoday.com in an articles by Brian Farga) (If this is not the proper way to post this photo,i apologize,and will remove it.) Everyone pointed fingers to everyone else,as usual. The City of New Bedford owned her,and paid almost $200,000 to raise her to the point i had seen her in. No one stepped up to help,but of course everyone but the City,wanted to save her. The City had no money to allocate for this,but i think new she was becoming a huge liability if she sunk again. I don't know why no one had her pulled out of the river,of course this meant,more $$$$. [attachment 70850 newbedford034.jpg] This orphaned vessel was built in 1930,length 133.3 feet,with a beam of 30'. Built in Oregon,made of steel,two masts with two lanterns. Her speed was only ten knots,powered by Diesel-electric,with a 5' 10" propeller. Designated LV 114/WAL 536. She was the FIRST Lightship to travel from the west coast,thru the Panama Canal,to the east coast. From 1930 to 1942,performed duty at New York, (Fire Island Station), during the War, she served as an examination vessel. After the War,moved to North Carolina,as "DIAMOND SHOAL", 1947 to 1958 served as "RELIEF" in the northeast coast. Next became the "POLLOCK RIP" off the coast of Massachusetts, later sent to Maine till 1971 as the "PORTLAND", finally decommissioned in May 1971. Was on hold,the C.G. planned on using her as a C.G. Museum,but never happened. In 1975, her ownership was transferred to the City of New Bedford,and then marked "NEW BEDFORD" In the 80's became a National Landmark? Are you kidding? So for 30 years,she sat proudly,but neglected!! How could this happen to a "National Landmark"? $$$$$$ Word has it, the "City" has the artifacts from her,"stored" somewhere,but seems a mystery of there whereabouts. The same company that raised her, for almost $200,000 was the only bidder,and bought her for $1775.00 for scrap. Scrap her they did,in June 2007. The artifacts consisted of portholes,the beacon,foghorns,and whistle,all unique items. The Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable inquired about the artifacts,but got the "shoe shine shuffle"! VERY SAD IN DEED! :veryangry: If you wish to see pictures of the "NEW BEDFORD" being cut-up go to www.flickr.com hit search,and look for photos by CMIPER . They are incredible! Thats all Folks!! Hope you enjoyed the trip ! Rj
I had an idea,that would happen...a real Bummer!! I was very fortunate to visit New Bedford last April,and got to snap a few pics,from a distance. These were taken from the Fish Pier,by me. I really feel lucky to have taken them ! Last time i would ever see her! [attachment 70847 newbedford033.jpg][attachment 70848 newbedford035.jpg][attachment 70849 newbedford045.jpg] I had read a couple of months earlier,that she had been in tough shape,and had been partly submerged,half sunk really.[attachment 70853 08k.jpg] (Note: this was not my photo,was posted on line by www.southcoasttoday.com in an articles by Brian Farga) (If this is not the proper way to post this photo,i apologize,and will remove it.) Everyone pointed fingers to everyone else,as usual. The City of New Bedford owned her,and paid almost $200,000 to raise her to the point i had seen her in. No one stepped up to help,but of course everyone but the City,wanted to save her. The City had no money to allocate for this,but i think new she was becoming a huge liability if she sunk again. I don't know why no one had her pulled out of the river,of course this meant,more $$$$. [attachment 70850 newbedford034.jpg] This orphaned vessel was built in 1930,length 133.3 feet,with a beam of 30'. Built in Oregon,made of steel,two masts with two lanterns. Her speed was only ten knots,powered by Diesel-electric,with a 5' 10" propeller. Designated LV 114/WAL 536. She was the FIRST Lightship to travel from the west coast,thru the Panama Canal,to the east coast. From 1930 to 1942,performed duty at New York, (Fire Island Station), during the War, she served as an examination vessel. After the War,moved to North Carolina,as "DIAMOND SHOAL", 1947 to 1958 served as "RELIEF" in the northeast coast. Next became the "POLLOCK RIP" off the coast of Massachusetts, later sent to Maine till 1971 as the "PORTLAND", finally decommissioned in May 1971. Was on hold,the C.G. planned on using her as a C.G. Museum,but never happened. In 1975, her ownership was transferred to the City of New Bedford,and then marked "NEW BEDFORD" In the 80's became a National Landmark? Are you kidding? So for 30 years,she sat proudly,but neglected!! How could this happen to a "National Landmark"? $$$$$$ Word has it, the "City" has the artifacts from her,"stored" somewhere,but seems a mystery of there whereabouts. The same company that raised her, for almost $200,000 was the only bidder,and bought her for $1775.00 for scrap. Scrap her they did,in June 2007. The artifacts consisted of portholes,the beacon,foghorns,and whistle,all unique items. The Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable inquired about the artifacts,but got the "shoe shine shuffle"! VERY SAD IN DEED! :veryangry: If you wish to see pictures of the "NEW BEDFORD" being cut-up go to www.flickr.com hit search,and look for photos by CMIPER . They are incredible! Thats all Folks!! Hope you enjoyed the trip ! Rj
