United States lightship Chesapeake

The United States Lightship Chesapeake is a steel vessel with two tall masts, a bright red hull, and powerful beacon lights, now moored at Pier 3 in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It served to guide ships through shallow and dangerous waters by displaying lights that marked safe passages.

The vessel was built in 1930 and worked for many years as a floating lighthouse at dangerous locations like Fenwick Island Shoal and the Chesapeake Bay entrance. After decades of service, it was brought to Baltimore, where it now serves as a museum open to the public.

The vessel bears the name of the bay where it once guided ships safely through dangerous waters, representing the human role in maritime safety. Aboard, visitors can see how the crew lived and worked to fulfill this essential lighthouse function.

Visitors can explore multiple decks, crew quarters, engine room, and navigation equipment that show how this type of ship operated. Wear sturdy shoes, as the passages are narrow and the stairs are steep.

During two severe hurricanes in 1936 and 1962, the vessel's anchor chains broke, forcing the crew to run engines at full power to keep the ship in position against the wind and waves. These dramatic moments reveal how harsh life aboard such a vessel could be.