Lightship 84 (WAL-509) St. Johns Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Lightship 84 (WAL-509) St. Johns Lighthouse
Lightship 84 (WAL-509) St. Johns, completed in 1907, operated as a floating navigational marker. It was anchored off the St. Johns River entrance in areas unsuitable for fixed structures. The vessel marked dangerous shoals and channels, guiding ships toward Jacksonville's port. For many years, its bright light and foghorn assisted vessels navigating the Atlantic coast. The crews experienced extended periods of isolation while operating this important navigation aid. The St. Johns lightship is now decommissioned and not open to the public.
Why it matters: Lightship WAL-509 provided a primary navigation reference for vessels entering the St. Johns River, warning them of shallow areas and intricate channels at the river's mouth.
Tower & Structure
Structure: The Lightship St. Johns (WAL-509), built in 1907, once served as a crucial navigational aid in the waters off the St. Johns River entrance. Unlike traditional lighthouses, this vessel was designed to be anchored in specific, often challenging, offshore locations where building a fixed structure was impractical or impossible. Its purpose was to guide mariners safely into the busy port of Jacksonville, Florida, marking shoals and channels that posed a threat to shipping. For decades, the St. Johns lightship endured the Atlantic's storms and the relentless sun, its powerful light and fog signal providing a constant presence for passing ships. While its exact operational history and specific events are not detailed, lightships like WAL-509 were vital workhorses of maritime safety, their crews living in isolation for long stretches. Today, the Lightship St. Johns is no longer in active service, and public access to the vessel is not available. Its legacy, however, remains a testament to the ingenuity and dedication required to ensure safe passage along the coast.
Location
- City
- New York
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Region
- New York
- Sea Region
- St. Johns River entrance, marking channels for maritime traffic
- Latitude
- 40.6723°
- Longitude
- -74.0167°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- New york(1.6 km)
- ARLHS No.
- USA-999
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1907
Visiting
- Open to public
- No
Nearby Vessels
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