For context in this series, IS2 is most explicit, but for fun, check them all here. The photos in this series, all scans of slides, were all taken after the late 1950s.
#1. This is called Hudson raft-up. My questions: Can anyone identify the tug or at least its company? Is that a steam crane on the nearest barge?
#2. Lightship Scotland. Click here for a great story about bypassing the fishing regulations in the vicinity of the Scotland light, named for a 19th century wreck at that location. Some questions: Is that the current Ambrose at South Street Seaport? Which lighthouse/lightship tender would that have been in the New York Bight? What might the smaller USCG vessel be?
#3. USS Saratoga CV-60, launched NY Naval Shipyard in spring 1956, i.e., she was fairly new when this photo was taken. Only two more carriers would be built at New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn. After service until 1994, she was decommissioned and plans were made to transform her into a museum, but those plans collapsed and she has been sent to scrap. For photos by Birk Thomas of CV-60 departing for the scrapping, click here.
Many thanks to Ingrid Staats for allowing me to publish these photos here, where I hope group sourcing brings more info to light.
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February 10, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Ferryman Glen
the CG buoy tender astern the Scotland light ship would in all likely hood be the steam powered “HICKORY” or “OAK”. Both based out of St. George, Staten Island at that time. They were built I believe in the 1920’s and were still operating in the early 1960’s when I was there. Someone correct me if I am wrong!
February 12, 2018 at 11:07 am
Geest
Could also be the CGC Arbutus (WAGL-203) – Hard to tell by the pic but she does seem to have the whaleback foredeck that the earlier 1930’s AGL’s had.
The CGC Lilac WAGL-227 was the last of the steam powered tenders in active service, finally decomming in 1972.
February 10, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Ferryman Glen
The other CG Buoy tender to the right in the distance is a class A 180 foot diesel powered ice breaking vessel, probably the “FIREBUSH”, built during
WW2
February 11, 2018 at 12:00 pm
tugster
Glen– Thx much for these identifications. They pre-date my stay here . . . !
February 11, 2018 at 3:27 pm
George Schneider
You’re exactly right that the lightship shown here is the one that became AMBROSE for the South Street Seaport Museum. Her only official designations were LIGHTSHIP NO. 87, and then WAL 512 when all the existing lightships got Navy-like designations, with numbers in common with all Coast Guard commissioned vessels. This one served at AMBROSE from construction in 1907 to 1923, RELIEF 1932-36, SCOTLAND 1936-44, vineyard 1944-47, and SCOTLAND again 1947-62. I’m not sure what she did from then on, but the Coast Guard donated her to South Street in 1968.