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Lighthouse Tender Photo Archive

USLHT Arbutus
ex-USS Daffodil

Arbutus served both the U.S. Navy and Lighthouse Service

Lighthouse Tender:

  • The first Arbutus was built as Jonas Smith in 1861 by B. C. Terry Shipyard, Keyport, New Jersey
  • Acquired by the Navy 17 November 1862 and commissioned USS Daffodil
  • Sold 13 March 1867 at Savannah, GA and renamed Aaron Wilbur
  • Purchased by the Lighthouse Service in 1871 and commissioned USLHT Arbutus
  • Decommissioned in 1874 and declared as unfit
  • Sold 13 April 1875 and renamed Cora
  • Scrapped in 1880.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 264.04 t.
    USN - 173 t.
  • Length 125'
    USN - 110' 6"
  • Beam 22' 6"
  • Draft 7' 3"
    USN - 5' 6"
  • Speed 8 kts. (USN)
  • Complement 35 (USN)
  • Armament: Two 20-pounders (USN)
  • Propulsion: One boiler, one single beam steam engine, side paddle wheels.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		Size Image Description Source
    Arbutus 183k
    Namesake:

    Arbutus - Any of 20 species of evergreen shrubs or trees of the heath family found in southern Europe and western North America

    		 Tommy Trampp
    Photo added 9 March 2022
    Arbutus 143k Lighthouse Service photo from U.S. Lighthouse Society website John Spivey
    View the USS Daffodil
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
    View the USLHT Arbutus
    Coast Guard history entry located on the USCG Historian's Office website
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    This page created and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan
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