Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: United States Lightship LV-82
- Type: Lightship
- Year Built: 1912
- Builder: Racine-Truscott-Shell Boat Co., Muskegon, Michigan
- Dimensions: 80 ft (24.38 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 187 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 19 m / 63 ft
- Location: Approximately two miles off Point Abino, Lake Erie
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
LV-82, commonly referred to as the Buffalo Lightship, served as a navigational aid stationed off Point Abino in Lake Erie.
Description
Built in 1912, LV-82 was an 80-foot lightship designed to guide vessels toward Buffalo Harbor. It was stationed approximately 25 miles off Point Abino, providing crucial navigation support in the busy shipping lanes of Lake Erie.
History
During the Great Storm of November 7-10, 1913, LV-82 endured hurricane-force winds and waves reaching 35-50 feet. On November 10, the lightship was torn from its moorings and sank, resulting in the loss of all six crew members. The wreck was located on May 13, 1914, and was salvaged and raised on September 16, 1915, later being refurbished and renamed Eleven Foot Shoal Lightship.
Significant Incidents
- Lost during the Great Storm of November 7-10, 1913.
- All six crew members, including Captain Hugh Williams and Chief Engineer Charles Butler, were lost at sea.
- Parts of the wreckage washed ashore in Buffalo, and some crew bodies were later recovered.
Final Disposition
After being salvaged, LV-82 was refurbished and returned to service until the mid-1930s. The wreck site remains documented but not well-surveyed archaeologically.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located at a depth of approximately 63 feet in Lake Erie. It is not well-surveyed, but its historical significance and relatively shallow depth provide strong potential for underwater documentation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lightship-no-82-lv-82-buffalo-lightship” title=”References & Links”]
The story of LV-82 epitomizes both the heroism of lightship crews and the catastrophic impact of the 1913 storm. She remains emblematic of maritime resilience and tragedy on the Great Lakes.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Service
- Name/Number: United States Lightship LV‑82, commonly referred to as Buffalo Lightship.
- Built: 1912 by Racine-Truscott-Shell Boat Co., Muskegon, Michigan.
- Specifications: 80 ft in length; 187 tons. Stationed ~25 miles off Point Abino, Lake Erie, to guide vessels toward Buffalo Harbor (communitystories.ca, Wikipedia, Wikipedia).
Final Voyage & Loss
- During the Great Storm of November 7–10, 1913, known as the “Freshwater Fury,” LV‑82 maintained station for three harrowing days amid hurricane‑force winds and 35–50 ft waves (Wikipedia).
- On November 10 (some sources state Nov 12), she was torn free from her moorings, overwhelmed, and sank rapidly. All six crew members were lost (USCG History).
- Parts of the wreckage—including a lifeboat—washed ashore in Buffalo. The bodies of some crew were later recovered; Chief Engineer Charles Butler’s remains washed up nearly a year afterward (USCG History).
Post-Storm Actions & Legacy
- The wreck of LV‑82 was located on May 13, 1914, approximately two miles off station in 63 ft (19 m) of water (USCG History).
- She was salvaged and raised on September 16, 1915, towed to Buffalo, and refurbished for ongoing service—later renamed Eleven Foot Shoal Lightship and remained in operation until the mid-1930s (USCG History).
Crew & Commemoration
- The crew of six included Captain Hugh Williams, Chief Engineer Charles Butler, and four others—all lost at sea (USCG History).
- Their sacrifice is memorialized at Buffalo Harbor and at Point Abino, where plaques honor the “Bravest of the Great Storm” (USCG History).
Historical Significance
- LV‑82’s sinking highlights the sacrificial role of lightships, immobile navigational aids stationed in perilous offshore locations even during catastrophic storms.
- The Great Storm of 1913 remains the deadliest maritime disaster in Great Lakes history, claiming over 250 lives and sinking at least 12 ships, including LV‑82 (Wikipedia).
- LV‑82 is one of the few vessels recovered, repaired, and returned to service, underscoring her structural resilience and the determination of recovery crews.
Wreck Status & Dive Potential
- The wreck site—at a depth of ~63 ft in Lake Erie—is documented but not well-surveyed archaeologically.
- Given its relatively shallow depth and historical importance, the site offers strong potential for underwater documentation.
Research Avenues
| Focus | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Crew details & personal records | Explore Buffalo and Muskegon newspapers (Nov 1913) for survivor accounts, crew biographies |
| Salvage operation records | Query U.S. Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard archives on post-storm recovery |
| Memorial & community commemoration | Document installation plaques via site visits or public records |
| Archaeological survey | Plan side-scan sonar and visual dive surveys at the known wreck coordinates (~2 mi off Point Abino) |
The story of LV‑82 epitomizes both the heroism of lightship crews and the catastrophic impact of the 1913 storm. She remains emblematic of maritime resilience—and tragedy—on the Great Lakes.