|
USCGC ''Cactus'' (WLB-270) is a sea going buoy tender (WLB). A ''Cactus''-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. ''Cactus''s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On 31 March 1941 the keel was laid, she was launched on 25 November 1941 and commissioned on 1 September 1942. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $782,381. ''Cactus'' is one of 39 original 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders, , were built in Duluth. ''Cactus'' was decommissioned in 1971 after running aground. Ultimately, the Coast Guard sold the damaged vessel and she was converted to a barge for use in the Pacific Northwest. ''Cactus'' was moored without permission in Tacoma, Washington for several years and then in King County off Maury Island from 2003 to 2008. King County seized the vessel in 2008 and is (as of 2013) dismantling the vessel as funds allow. == Ship's history == USCGC ''Cactus'' was initially assigned to the First Coast Guard District in 1942 and stationed at Boston, MA. On 12 June 1943 the tender collided with MV ''Manasquan'' and sustained considerable damage. After World War II ''Cactus'' continued to serve the First District from Boston, MA. In addition to tending aids to navigation (ATON), the cutter also performed search and rescue (SAR), icebreaking and law enforcement (LE) duties. On 2 March 1952 ''Cactus'' provided assistance to FV ''Dorothy'' and FV ''Mary'' 20 miles south of Nantucket, MA. On 16 November 1953 ''Cactus'' fought a fire on FV ''Jane'' and FV ''Patricia''. On 26 August 1954 ''Cactus'' assisted FV ''Western Pride'' which had grounded near Provincetown, MA. In 1957 ''Cactus'' assisted the grounded MV ''Franco Lisi'' near Salem, MA. On 10 February and 27 July 1957 ''Cactus'' fought pier fires in Boston, MA and moved a 450-foot Norwegian merchant vessel to safety away from the flames. During the night of 21–22 February 1959 ''Cactus'' assisted FV ''Jo-Ann''. During 24 to 25 January 1966 she escorted the disabled merchant vessel, MS ''South African Victory'' to Boston. In 1967 ''Cactus'' was transferred to Bristol, RI. On 4 February 1969 ''Cactus'' towed the disabled FV ''Chrisway'' to safety from 140 miles southeast of Cape Henry, VA. Later in 1969 the ship's homeport was again changed. She arrived at her new station at Tongue Point Coast Guard Base in Astoria, OR in 1970. In 1971 ''Cactus'' wrecked on the submerged portion of South Jetty at Grays Harbor, WA. Both cargo holds were ruptured and tidal; her engine room was holed and taking on water. Her main engines were inoperative because of shaft misalignment and a damaged screw. ''Cactus'' was severely damaged and in peril of capsizing. She was successfully re-floated using air and towed to Seattle, WA by MS ''Salvage Chief'', (Captain Reino Mattila, homeport Astoria, OR)〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Salvage Log )〕 She was decommissioned in 1971. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「USCGC Cactus (WLB-270)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|