New Bedford in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

1. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the front (east) side of the memorial.

Inscription. Text on Upper Front (East) Side of Memorial:

Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial
This Memorial created in Memory of
All Lightship Sailors lost in performance of duties
Inspired by Harold Flagg, LV 73
—————
These names added in 2014

John Walton 26 June 1837, Craysfort Lightship LV-AA
Edward Walter Preston 1937, LV 106 / 528 Relief
Charles G. Massey, 15 Jan. 1951, LV 101 / WAL 539 Overfalls
Raymond Woodrow Gifford Sr. 21 Nov. 1961, LV 110 / WAL 532 Relief
Text on Lower Front (East) Side of Memorial:

LV6 Cross Rip 1918 • LV117 Nantucket Shoals 1934 • LV73 Vineyard Sound 1944

In Tribute to
the Heroes of the
United States
Lightship Service
Who gave their lives
service to fellow Mariners

New Bedford, Massachusetts
1999
Text on the Plaque affixed to the Lower Front (East) Side of Memorial:

Vineyard
Lightship
Bell
This bell, mounted aboard the Vineyard Light-
house, once rand to warn ships of dangerous
reefs located near the entrances to Buzzard's
Bay and Vineyard Sound. On September 14,
1944, the Lighthouse sank at the height of a
hurricane with the loss

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of all 13 men on board.

Nineteen years later, the ships bell was
brought up by the Fairhaven Whalers Diving
Club and presented to the Life Saving
Museum of Cape Cod National Seashore.
Text on Right (North) Side of Memorial:

Vineyard Lightship LV#73
Lost September 14-15 1944

Captain J Edgar Sevigny CWO
Edward Steckling MMC
John Koloski MM2
Richard R. Talbot SC2
Lawrence R. Starratt MM3
Frederick J Stelter WT3
Peter P Michalack SN1
John J Stimac SN1
Jack M Hammett SN1
J.G. Gordon SN1
Allen L. Hull SN2
Constantine Vangel SN2
Text on Upper Back (West) Side of Memorial:

U. S. C. G.
Lightship Sailors
Association Inc.

Maintained by the USCG Lightship Sailors Association INT, Inc.
Text on Lower Front (West) Side of Memorial:

For These Honored Dead we Keep the Beacon Bright

• Five Fathom Bank Lightship LV#37-Launch lost April 22, 1874: Charles P. Smith, Captain, Frank Willetts SC • Cross Ledge Lightship LV#19-Launch lost October 29, 1875: Three lost • Five Fathom Station [Relief] LV#37-Lost August 24, 1893: H. Selover Assistant Engineer, Carl J. Westling SN, George Richardson SN • Rush Bluff Lightship

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

2. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on upper front (east) side of the memorial.

LV#46 - August 28, 1893: Two lost •Hens & Chickens Lightship LV#2-Launch lost 1897: Two lost • Buffalo Lightship LV#82 - Lost November 10, 1913: Hugh H. Williams, Captain, Andrew Lehy Mate, Charles Butler Chief Engineer, Cornelius Lahey Assistant Engineer, Peter Mackey SC, William Jensen SN • Cross Rip Lightship LV#6-Lost February 5, 1918: Henry F. Joy 1st Mate, Frank Johnson MM, William Rose SC, Almon Wixon SN, Arthur C. Joy SN, E.H. Phillips SN • Lightship LV#95 [Relief] July 1938: Lost Christophore Lasdine Captain • Stonehorse Lightship LV#103-Launch lost May 18, 1955: John D. Mortimer SA • Portland Lightship LV#111 - February 21, 1955: William Iakicic SN • Huron Lightship LV#103-Launch lost May 7, 1958: Robert J. Gullickson SN

Text on Left (South) Side of Memorial:

Nantucket Lightship LV#117
Lost May 15, 1934

William W. Perry Engineer
Isaac Pina SC1
Alfrdo Monteiro SC2
John M Fortes SN
Ernest B. George SN
Matthew S. Rodriques SN
Justin F. Richmond Oiler

Later Lost Due to Injuries
George Brathwaite Mate
Clinton Mosher 1st Mate
John F. Perry

Erected 1999.

Topics and series. This historical marker and

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

3. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on lower front (east) side of the memorial.

memorial is listed in this topic list: Heroes. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1990.

Location. 41° 38.032′ N, 70° 55.265′ W. Marker is in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It is on MacArthur Drive south of Elm Street, on the left when traveling south. This marker is located in the downtown area, along the waterfront, in the vicinity of the New Bedford Harbor, Ferry Terminal. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Bedford MA 02740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the South Coast.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cape Verde to New Bedford (a few steps from this marker); Whaling's Final Days (a few steps

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

4. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on the plaque affixed to the lower front (east) side of the memorial.

from this marker); Ernestina's Many Lives (a few steps from this marker); Colonel George Claghorn (a few steps from this marker); Merrill's Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); From Whales to Bales (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commonwealth of Toil (about 400 feet away); The Dartmouth (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bedford.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

5. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the map (showing the last location of the Vineyard Lightship) that is displayed on the plaque affixed to the lower front (east) side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

6. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the photograph (showing the Vineyard Lightship bell being raised from the wreck) that is displayed on the plaque affixed to the lower front (east) side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

7. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the salvaged Vineyard Lightship bell, that is currently displayed at the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

8. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the northeast sides of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

9. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on the north side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

10. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the back (west) side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

11. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on the upper back (west) side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

12. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on lower front (west) side of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

13. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the southwest sides of the memorial.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

14. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Marker

View of the text on the left (south) side of the memorial.

Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 15, 2025

15. Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,351 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on August 7, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 15. submitted on November 27, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.