KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 12, 2016 – Twelve midshipmen from Professor Brian Ackerman’s (KP ’90) Engineering Class, began the initial phase of a long-term overhaul of the main engine of the National Historic Landmark vessel, USLV-87/WAL-512 AKA the Lightship AMBROSE at New York City’s South Street Seaport Museum. These twelve First Classmen are contributing their technical skills to a large team of volunteers that have been committed to a restoring the historic ships at the Seaport Museum.

This Lightship AMBROSE  was the first "floating lighthouse" that illuminated New York’s Ambrose Channel, off the entrance to New York Bay, east and south of Sandy Hook, 6.2 miles and 097 degrees from the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. A succession of lightships had marked the entrance channels to New York from 1823-1967.  The station was replaced by  the Ambrose Light Tower and ultimately the RW "A" Buoy.  USLV-87, which served that station from 1908 to 1932, ended her active career in 1966 is now located at Pier 16 in Lower Manhattan. The Winton Diesel engine being overhauled by Professor Ackerman's class was installed in 1933, replacing the original steam engine.

Currently there are no plans to get the vessel underway, but according to Mike Weiss, Waterfront Foreman at the South Street Seaport Museum, "the project (which is expected to last several months) will make it possible for future visitors to enjoy interactive exhibits that will include hands-on demonstrations of the main engine, creating unique educational opportunities and further interest in this iconic American ship."

By Veronica Cassidy Barry - with contributions from Mike Weiss & Professor Brian Ackerman