USCGC Lilac (WAGL/WLM-227) is a historic steam-powered buoy tender built in 1933 by the Pusey and Jones Shipyard in Wilmington, Delaware. As America's only surviving steam-powered buoy tender, Lilac holds a significant place in maritime history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The vessel measures approximately 173 feet 4 inches in length overall, with a beam of 32 feet, a draft of 11 feet, and a depth of hold of 13 feet. She displaces around 799 tons fully loaded and has a gross register tonnage of 770. Constructed of steel plates riveted together, Lilac was propelled by two triple-expansion steam engines, each producing 500 horsepower, driving two 7.5-foot diameter four-bladed propellers. Her powerplant, fueled by two oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers, allowed her to reach a maximum speed of 11 knots and sustain a range of approximately 1,734 nautical miles at 10 knots. The vessel's design included a steel mast and boom with a steam-driven hoist capable of lifting up to 20 tons. Her deck layout comprised four levels: the lower decks housed cargo, fuel tanks, and machinery, while the upper decks contained crew quarters, the buoy-handling open deck, galley, and officers’ accommodations. Initially serving the U.S. Lighthouse Service, Lilac was assigned to the 4th Lighthouse District, maintaining navigational aids along the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and surrounding waters. After the Lighthouse Service merged into the Coast Guard in 1939, Lilac continued her duties and was reclassified as WAGL-227. During World War II, she was outfitted with light armament, including a 3"/50 gun and 20mm cannons, and was equipped with degaussing gear and radar for coastal defense, although she did not engage in combat. Throughout her service, Lilac participated in rescue operations, navigational maintenance, and seizing ships to prevent sabotage. Notably, she responded to numerous maritime emergencies in the 1950s and 1960s, including collisions and groundings in the Delaware River. She was decommissioned in 1972 as the last steam-driven vessel in the Coast Guard fleet, replaced by more modern, diesel-powered tenders. Subsequently, Lilac served as a school dormitory, office space, and later as a private commercial vessel before being restored and preserved as a museum ship in New York City. Today, she stands as a testament to maritime engineering and coastal service history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.