USC&GS Drift

History
United States
Name:	USC&GS Drift Lightship LV-97
Launched:	1876
Fate:	Retired 1918 after 22 years as the lightship LV-97, Sold April 27, 1920. Renamed W. J. Townsend, scrapped in 1945.
General characteristics
Tonnage:	87 tons
Length:	76 ft 0 in (23.16 m)
Beam:	19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
Draught:	10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
Propulsion:	schooner
Complement:	5 officers, 14 men (1893)

USC&GS Drift

USC&GS Drift was a United States Coast Survey schooner built in 1876 specifically to anchor in offshore waters to undertake current measurements. She was transferred to the United States Lighthouse Board on May 20, 1893 to become the lightship Light Vessel # 97 or (LV-97) on the Bush Bluff station until retirement and sale in 1918 to become the W. J. Townsend which was scrapped in 1945.

The Coast Survey had recognized that current information had been lacking in publications but had been hindered by both lack of funding and risks associated with mooring vessels in deep waters or along dangerous coasts in order to collect the information. Congress specifically appropriated funding for such work in the 1875-1876 budget under which the 76 foot schooner Drift was constructed explicitly for this purpose. She was a schooner, 76 ft 0 in (23.16 m) in length with a beam of 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) and draft of 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m).

Drift was first sent out in June 1876 under Acting Master Robert Platt, USN, Assistant Coast Survey, to the Gulf of Maine to anchor in depths of up to 140 fathoms (840 feet/256 meters) to measure currents. The value of such measurements became immediately obvious as the Drift took advantage of her own observations in sailing and in a cited incident observed another ship struggling while she used currents effectively. During October–November the ship attempted further work but anchoring and effective measurements were obstructed by weather so the vessel returned to New York at the end of November. During this season, and subsequent work in the area the presence and location of tide rips was noted. There, while undertaking some hydrographic investigations in the entrance to New York harbor Drift was slightly damaged in a winter "hurricane" with temperature at 10°F (-12°C) during which she had to be towed away from the shore by two tugs. The report of the incident noted three other schooners and a steamboat were "thrown on the beach by the hurricane." After refit the Drift returned to the Gulf of Maine for current measurements. The schooner continued to occupy stations between Cape Sable and Nantucket observing currents and tide rips as well as incidental hydrography. Also noted as observed was "what seemed to be a very large round spar projecting twelve to fifteen feet out of the sea" that appeared on one side and then the other of the vessel while becalmed off Race Point, Cape Cod and "near it an object having the form of an enormous dorsal fin" that was observed with "good glasses." It was noted that none could say it was a creature, yet all on board agreed no "floating wreck was anywhere in sight."

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