Lightship No. 114
Also known as: Fire Island; Diamond Shoals; Relief; Pollick Rip; Portland; Wal-5
Why it's listed
Lightship No. 114 is a 133-foot steel vessel built in 1930 by the Albina Iron Works of Portland, Oregon, for the United States Lighthouse Establishment. Designed to hold a fixed station and carry a light and fog signal for mariners, she was the first American lightship to travel from the West Coast to the East Coast through the Panama Canal. She served at Fire Island, New York, then at Diamond Shoals off North Carolina, as a relief vessel, and at Pollock Rip off Cape Cod and Portland, Maine. During World War II she worked as an examination ship armed with a six-pound gun. Retired in 1971, she passed to the City of New Bedford in 1975 and became a museum ship moored at State Pier. She was listed as one of the last of her class, showing improvements in hull design, powered propulsion and crew quarters. Original machinery, crew spaces and pilothouse fittings largely survive, although the vessel needs restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that No. 114 and her five sister ships represent the last class of lightships built by the United States Lighthouse Establishment, and that she embodies early twentieth-century advances in lightship design. She is one of only two preserved vessels of her class and type and one of about thirteen preserved American lightships. Her World War II service supports the exception for properties of exceptional significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 90000777, listed May 30, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | State Pier, New Bedford |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | May 30, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000777 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1930-1947 |
| Architect / builder | United States Lighthouse Establishment; Albina Iron Works, Portland, Oregon |
| Architectural style | Other: Lightship |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Engineering, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Museum vessel owned by the City of New Bedford, in fair condition with a hull thought to be sound. She lists about 20 degrees to port, has deck leaks and rusted mast ladders, and has been closed to visitors for about five years due to limited funding. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.63581, -70.92067 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 90000777.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6546566
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.