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All the United States New York State New York City Manhattan The Lightship Frying Pan

The Lightship Frying Pan

Rummage through this sunken ship, but leave your scuba gear at home.

New York, New York

Added By
jamesb
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Lightship Frying Pan at Pier 66 Maritime  
Lightship Frying Pan at Pier 66 Maritime  
Upper Deck: Gangway during renovations  
Lower Deck: Engine Room during renovations  
Upper Deck: Officer Quarters during renovations  
Upper Deck: Captain’s Table during renovations  
Lower Deck: Engine Room during renovations  
Upper Deck: Cabinet with small preserved creatures  
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About

From 1930 to 1965, the Lightship Frying Pan, a floating lighthouse, guarded ships from the danger of running aground on the shoals 30 miles off of the coast of Cape Fear, North Carolina.

A total of 179 lightships were built for the US Coast Guard (originally the US Lighthouse Service) between 1820 and 1983. By 1985 all of the lightships that had faithfully protected 116 locations in US waters had been replaced by much cheaper navigational buoys or off shore light towers. Most of the entire fleet was scrapped for parts and materials. The Frying Pan is one of only fifteen lightships that remain. Most are in museum collections, like the Ambrose at South Street Seaport in Manhattan, a few are privately owned and kept for personal use.

For all the ships the Frying Pan saved from the watery depths of the sea, it is ironic that she herself sank while docked in the Chesapeake Bay. After spending three years submerged, the Frying Pan was resurfaced by salvors and sold to it's current owners. The ship was emptied of tons of shells and silt and the exterior of the ship was repaired for seaworthiness. However, the interior has been left rusted and barnacle encrusted to acknowledge her unique and curious past. Among the relics remaining aboard the ship are a cabinet full of jars containing small preserved creatures and a piano.

The Frying Pan is currently docked next to a bar that shares its name and can be easily boarded and explored by the bar's patrons.

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Museums And Collections Collections Intriguing Environs Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

Frying Pan is docked at Pier 66 Maritime which is three blocks north of Chelsea Piers and located on Pier 66 @ W26th Street in the Hudson River Park.

Public Transportation:
Take M23 crosstown bus west to Chelsea Piers which is the last stop and walk 3 blocks or 3 piers north.
You can catch the M23 from C/E lines on 8th Ave, the 1/9 lines on 7th, the F and Path Trains on 6th, the N/R on Broadway, or the 5,6 over on the east side.

Bike:
Take bike-way in the Hudson River Park to Pier 66

Car or Taxi:
Exit Westside Highway on W26th Street
Closest Parking Garage is in The Chelsea Piers Sporting Complex
Please note that drop off of passengers in the Hudson River Park is PROHIBITED

Community Contributors

Added By

jamesb

Published

November 1, 2009

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  • http://www.fryingpan.com
  • http://www.pier66maritime.com/
  • http://www.uslhs.org/about_lightships_in_america.php
The Lightship Frying Pan
West 26th Street @ 12th Ave.
Pier 66 Maritime Complex
New York, New York, 10011
United States
40.75193, -74.008412
Visit Website
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