The first lighthouse tender was the schooner Rush acquired in 1840. Subsequently about 200 vessels served as tenders until the Coast Guard years when the later vessels became known as buoy tenders.
The CG-80004-D was the last ship to serve as a true lighthouse tender in the 1st. District and possibly the last of any. The "80-D" was based at South Portland and was used as a lighthouse supply ship, not necesarily for routine supplies but for specifc equipment for repair and upgrade projects at Maine lights and on occasion for repair of fixed aids.
This ship was formerly the Maine built 80-ft fishing schooner John Hathaway and served as such until the opportuniy soon arose for a much more profitable busisness. It was in conducting this business that the Hathaway had a chance meeting with the former Navy destroyer CG Cutter Wilkes out in the Gulf of Maine in June, 1929, thus abruptly ending this new business venture, that of transporting bottles of liquid refreshment to Maine from Nova Scotia and for having been made profitable by the disapproval of such by the 18th Amendment.
Following Admialty Court proceedings the Hathaway was turned over to the Coast Guard and converted for use as a lighthouse supply vessel. The "80D" then served many lighthouses for 27 years until retired in 1956.
I had the opportunity go along on a couple of supply trips on the "80D" when my father was temporarily officer-in-charge. One was to Monhegan and there overnight followed by a rather rough 40 mile trip in near gale force winds to Saddleback Ledge the next day and returning to the base in Rockland. The next was a day trip to Heron Neck, Goose Rocks and Browns Head. Treasured memories.