John Sebastian | National Historic Ships

Registration number 142

Status Registered

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Previous names

1885 LV 55 Newarp

Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Light vessel

Location Bristol

Vessel type Light Vessel

Current use Commercial Activity

Available to hire Yes

Available for excursions No

Web address http://www.cabotcruisingclub.co.uk/

Construction

Builder Hill, Charles & Sons, Bristol

Built in 1885

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Towed

Primary engine type None

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

24.16 feet (7.37m)

Depth

12.00 feet (3.66m)

Length: Overall

102.92 feet (31.39m)

Tonnage: Gross

274.00

History

JOHN SEBASTIAN was built in 1885 as a Light Vessel (LV 55) as a batch order of three (LB54, LV55 and LV59) by Charles Hill & Sons, Albion Yard, Bristol, for Trinity House. The hull type was wood with iron beams. She was sold out of service in 1954 to Portishead for scrap where her lantern and metal work was removed. She is now owned by Cabot Cruising Club, Bathurst Basin, Bristol. When the Light Vessel was on Bristol Channel duty moored 12 miles out from Avonmouth, there was a tradition for members of the Cruising Club to visit taking newspapers and other gifts for the crew.

Sources

Holister, Nobby, Leading Lights: Saved by a Light Vessel, Peter Williams Associates, pp49-53, Volume 1, Edition 3, 1995
Williams, Peter, Leading Lights: Light Vessel Directory, Peter Williams Associates, pp57-60, Volume 1, Edition 3, 1995