Story
This lightship was built in 1904 by Burlee Drydock Company in Camden, NJ.
Historical Notes
In 1905 this vessel transited to the West Coast via San Francisco and Astoria.
In 1960 this vessel was retired from lighthouse duty and decommissioned Sep 16, 1960; it was sold Oct 9, 1961 with plans for use in Seattle as a museum which failed. This vessel became an exhibit at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Owners & Masters
In 1961 she was owned by A. Jensen, San Francisco CA USA.
In 1962 she was owned by Rolfe Kiep.
In 1964c she was owned by the Belche Family of Seattle, Washington. On July 12th 1978 the 'Claire Anne' was removed from the U. S. Registry in Seattle, transferred in ownership and location from a trade-in sale, to Rivtow Straits Ltd. of Vancouver, BC Canada via their Ship Brokerage Division (West Coast Salvage & Contracting Ltd.) and moved to the Fraser River North Arm berthage where she lay until October, 1980 in fresh water.
In 1980 she was owned by Victor Kent Staudinger, Michael J. Wilson, and William T. Bonniman.
In 1985-1988 as a yacht she was owned by Lacerte Holdings Ltd. Victoria BC Canada. (In 1989-2001 she does not appear to have been registered.) She was moved to Quebec 1984 for charter use. Survived a hurricane in 1985 with the loss of one crewman swept overboard. The vessels then sailed back to the Caribbean where it was used for 7 day cruises around the islands. It was then sold and delivered to Japan in 1988.
Rebuilds
Main engine was changed to diesel in 1963 and the vessel was operating as a freighter called Ark in 1964.
References
- Canada List of Shipping
- www.uscglightshipsailors.org ↗
- www.uscg.mil ↗
- www.unc.edu ↗
