Delaware, 1856
later Wave
A state of the eastern United States on the Atlantic Ocean. It was admitted as the first of the original Thirteen Colonies in 1787. Settled by the Dutch in 1631 and by Swedes in 1638, the region passed to England in 1664. It was part of William Penn's Pennsylvania grant from 1682 until 1776. Delaware became a state in 1776, just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Delaware is known by the nickname "The First State" due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Tender History:
The Delaware, a 138-ton schooner, was built in 1856. She was used as an engineering tender in the 4th Lighthouse District. She took part in the repair of the Brandywine Shoals lighthouse. She also saw service in the 5th and 7th Lighthouse Districts. She was refitted in 1858 and was then assigned to Key West, Florida. She transferred to the 5th Lighthouse District in September, 1860 and transferred again in May, 1861 to the 2nd Lighthouse District to replace the schooner-tender Wave. On 24 May 1861 the Delaware's name was officially changed to Wave. She saw further service in the 1st and 2nd Lighthouse Districts until 1879 when she was taken out of service and sold.
Sources:
Douglas Peterson. United States Lighthouse Service Tenders, 1840-1939. Annapolis: Eastwind Publishing, 2000.