USLHT Lilac (1892 ship)
Tender of the United States Lighthouse Service / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
USLHT Lilac was a steel-hulled steamship built as a lighthouse tender in 1892. During her career in the United States Lighthouse Service her longest assignments were at Portland, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. During World War I she was transferred to the United States Navy and became USS Lilac.
After 32 years in government service, the ship was sold to private interests, and her name was changed to Elma. Her first owners ran a bootlegging syndicate, and the ship was used to smuggle liquor into the United States during prohibition. She was confiscated by the U.S. government and sold. During the remainder of her career she was idle much of the time. When she did sail, she carried passengers and freight, was used as a tug to tow other ships, and did various other short-term tasks.
Elma disappears from Federal documentation and newspaper accounts in 1938. Her ultimate fate is unknown.