
The Lightship Overfalls, more properly known as the LV-118 or the WAL 539, was the last lightship built under the U.S. Lighthouse Service. Built in East Boothbay, Maine, in 1938, the 116-foot-long vessel incorporated the latest features of lightship design at the time. The LV-118 saw duty in several locations in its active career. From 1938 to 1957 it was at Cornfield Point, at the east end of Long Island Sound off Old Saybrook, Connecticut. From 1958 to 1962 it served at the Cross Rip station near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. And from 1962 to 1972 it marked the approach to Boston Harbor, six miles east of Boston Light.


Today, the Lightship Overfalls is a National Historic Landmark. Thanks to thousands of hours put in by countless volunteers, the vessel is fully restored and is open to the public on the Lewes waterfront. The guest in this episode, John Bolster, is the curator and a board member for the Overfalls Foundation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:26 — 41.4MB) | Embed

U.S. Lighthouse Society Historian Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of 24 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is a past president of the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s weekly podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org
We were listening to today’s episode and my sons are very excited to do the NJ lighthouse challenge again this year if hockey schedule doesn’t interfere. Keelan (key-Lyn) is 10 and Fionn (Fin) is 7 years old. They asked me to pitch you a show idea they would love to watch. Families or teams travel to different lighthouses all over the US and have to do challenges related to the lighthouse/life saving station and get brief histories like on you podcast. Part Amazing Race with the traveling and challenges and part Relative Race by discovering new information on the journey. There could be a counter of how many steps climbed, like deadliest catch’s profit counter at the end of each episode. I told them I would email the idea because I too would enjoy that show both watching and being a part of it. They enjoying listening to your podcast with me especially when they have been to the lighthouse. Keep up the amazing work.
Hi Carrie – Sorry for the slow response, I was away on a tour for a week. Interesting idea! I’m not sure we have the resources to do exactly what you describe, but it’s got me thinking about possibilities. Thanks for posting your comment, and I’m glad you enjoy the podcast!