The Frying Pan Lightship LV-115 Wal-537 was built in 1930 at the Charleston Dry-dock & Machine Shop in Charleston SC and spent its entire career on the Frying Pan station off of North Carolina at the entrance to the Cape Fear river near Wilmington N.C. With the exception as a examination vessel during the war.

After it was decommissioned in 1967 she became a museum at Southport North Carolina. She was then moved to Whitehaven Maryland in 1984 where she sank through neglect at her dock. She was raised two and a half years later at which time her aft mast was torn out in the process.

It was then purchased by a man in New York named John Krevey who with friends spent countless weekends working on it to bring her back for restoration. They had to shovel tons of muck from the ship. They removed the rusted propulsion motor and installed a small truck engine where the motor was. Leaving the interior wall covered with barnacles to maintain the sunken ship atmosphere. The ship was furnished with garage sale furniture and a strange mixture of science lab equipment with Persian rugs and Victorian pictures.

The ship was then motored up to New York city under her own makeshift power about 4-5 knots where she became a local icon of urban free spirit and determination. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have been written about this strange example of survival. She found refuge at the Intrepid Museum for a couple of years.

The owners now have their own complex at 23rd street and the Hudson River where the ship is used for private functions and community theater groups. The empty main engine room makes a great dance floor and theater

This was a great job done by a individual and volunteer help to make this happen. It's present location is at Pier 63 Maintain, Hudson River New York City. Open to the public by arrangement. (212-989-6363)

Researched & Prepared by Hal Dean