1st Class Bunks

The total complement for this ship was 18 men. Most slept in this two high “open berthing” compartment. The senior 1st class ratings slept in the semi-private space behind the partitioned bulkheads. On station there were usually 12 men aboard, with the remaining 6 men ashore on compensatory leave. The crews were rotated every 2-3 weeks depending on the weather and district to which the ship was assigned. Each crewman was assigned a bunk and a locker. Some of the bunks have been removed to make room for the lens display. The lenses are on loan from the U.S. Lighthouse Society. The illuminated 375mm Fresnel lens was commonly used on lightships until the mid 1960’s when it was replaced by the “flash array” with the multiple sealed beam lamps mounted in the far corner of the compartment.