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Database of Coast Guard Cutters by Era

Note all built models are mine unless otherwise noted
Models marked (LB) were built by Larry Bowers at l.dbowers@verizon.net

1790 - 1915: Revenue Cutters

Though the Navy officially recognizes 13 October 1775 as its birthday
But the Continental Navy was disbanded in 1783
The RCS was established on 14 August 1790 and was the only naval force available to the new United States
The first major test of the new nation came with tensions with former ally France
The Naval Act of 1794 led to the establishment of the US Navy and the construction of 6 frigates
The RCS built 7 heavily armed cutters in anticipation of the war with France
These cutters and the new frigates fought the Quasi War with France from 1798 to 1800

Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
The First Ten Massachusettes 10 1791 Massachusettes is traditionallay considered the first RC
even though Vigilant was the first in the water
and Active was the first on patrol
Yes    
Diligence 58 Diligence 2 1798 Heavily armed for the Quasi War with France      
Eagle 77 Eagle 2 1798 Heavily armed for the Quasi War with France      
Search 60 Search 2 1815     Yes  
Surprise 56 Surprise 2 1815     OOP  
Alabama 52 Alabama 2 1819   Yes Yes  
Marion 78 Marion 2 1825        
Morris-Taney 78 Crawford 13 1830 Most numerous class of Revenue Cutters Yes Yes  
Ericson Screw 160 Legare 2 1844 One of the first classes of steam cutters - Failures      
Hunter Horizontal Screw 160 Spencer 4 1844 One of the first classes of steam cutters - Failures      
Polk Polk 2 1844 One of the first classes of steam cutters - Failures      
Campbell/Joe Lane 102 Campbell 4 1847 Campbell's name was changed to Joe Lane
This changed the name of the class
  OOP
Yes
 
Harrison Harrison 2 1849 Designed specifically for the Great Lakes      
Cushing 91 Cushing 6 1853 Named for members of Franklin Pierce's cabinet Yes OOP  
Cobb 57 Cobb 6 1857        
Hercules 100 Hercules 3 1861        
Pawtuxet 138 Pawtuxet 6 1-863 Class included USRC Mohoning/Woodbury
Longest serving RC (1863 - 1915)
Yes    
Chase 170 Chase 5 1865        
Active 90 Active 2 1867        
Reliance 110 Reliance 2 1867 One of the last classes of sail cutters acquired      
Relief 92 Relief 2 1867 One of the last classes of sail cutters acquired      
Search 38 Search 2 1869        
205 Algonquin Gresham 5 1897 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Last RC class rigged with sails
Though Gresham was the lead ship, design changes
common to the other 4 caused the class to be named after Algonquin
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Decommissioned in 1935
Gresham was reaquired for WWII service
Hull numbers assigned in 1939, classified Patrol Gunboat
Decommissioned in 1947
Yes    
96 Winnisimmet Winnisimmet 2 1903 1 served in WWII Yes    
190 Miami Miami 2 1912 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Miami was renamed Tampa and was lost in WWI
Unalga was reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboat
Dcommissioned in 1945
Yes    
Training Cutters   4     Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind RC   207   Some of the most famous or interesting cutters were
one-of-a-kind. They Include:
Harriet Lane,
Massachusettes,
Dolly,
Surveyor,
Eagle,
Henrietta,
Naugatuck
Androscoggin,
Apache,
Bear,
McCullough,
Pamlico,
Windom/Commanche, and
Hudson
Yes Yes

Lindberg













1789 - 1939: Lighthouse Tenders

The government assumed responsibility for safety of navigation in Federal waters
This included a sytem of buoys to mark navigable channels and dangers
Early vessels used to maintain the system were chartered private vessels
Most of these early records were lost
Records pick up in the late 1800s

-
Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
Sunrise Sunrise 3 1867        
Verbena 135 Verbena 2 1870        
Lyra 45 Lyra 4 1872        
Holly 156 Holly 2 1881        
Lilac 155 Lilac 2 1892        
Snowdrop 69 Snowdrop 21897        
173 Magnolia Magnolia 2 1904        
190 Manzanita Manzanita 8 1908   Yes    
160 Oak Oak 2 1921   Yes    
172 Army Speedwell Mine Planter Ilex 6 1922   Yes    
80 Althea Althea 2 1930 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
121 Linden Linden 3 1931 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
173 Violet Violet 3 1933        
103 Goldenrod Goldenrod 2 1938 River tenders      
175 Hollyhock Hollyhock 3 1939 Last vessels designed by and delivered to the Light House Service
The third of the class, Fir, was delivered to the Coast Guard
Fir reigned as Queen of the Fleet from 1988 to 1991
Yes    
122 Maple Maple 3 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
91 Jasmine Jasmine 2 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
Misc One-of-a-Kind
LHT/CGC.html
  166   Some of the most famous or interesting cutters were one-of-a-kind
They include:
Pharos,
Lily,
Cedar, and
Juniper
Yes Yes  
Lightships LV A 613 1820 Lightships were used to mark the entrances to major US ports
or to mark damgers to navigation
The first US lightship location was Willoughby Spit
It was manned in 1820 by the third US lightship to be built (LV C)
The last station to be discontinued was Nantucket Shoals
The last US lightship left station in 1983
Over the years 4 lightships were lost to storms
and one was rammed by RMS Olympic
One was lost to a German u-boat in WWI
Yes    

1871-1915: Lifesaving Service Boats

Thee Massachusettes Humane Society established the first LIfe Saving Station in 17__
The Federal government did not accept resposibilty for safety of life at sea until 1872

Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
Surfboats   9   Surfboats were used for near shore rescues
They were kept at Life Saving Stations along the coasts
They were on trailers and were hand hauled from the boat house to the water
Some stations had horses to draw the trailers
Later, some even had tractors
The original boats were modified whale boats
Each area of the country developed their own design of surfboat
Eventually the Life Saving Service standardized the boats as much as possible
The surfboats were originally powered by manned oars
They were originally not self bailing or self righting
These features were gradually introduced, as were gasoline engines
The surfboat was the main rescue device well into the late 1800s
Yes Yes  
Lifeboats   6   Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self bailable and self rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Yes    

1915 - 1940: The Coast Guard, WWI, Prohibition, and the Thirties

In 1915 the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service merged to form the Coast Guard
All Revenue Cutters were redesignated Coast Guard Cutters
All Life Saving boats became Coast Guard boats
The Coast Guard fought WWI with the cutters carried over from the RCS plus the Tallapoosa-Class
The Twenties was an era of growth for the Coast Guard first in response to Prohibition
and then in response to increased transoceanic commercial airline flights
10 new classes were commissioned
New small boats came into service
The Academy got a new training cutter
Most of these Cutters fought through WWII

1915: Revenue Cutters That Became Coast Guard Cutters

Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
Pawtuxet 138 Pawtuxet 1 1863 Class included USRC Mohoning/Woodbury
Longest serving RC (1863 - 1915)
Yes    
205 Algonquin Gresham 5 1897 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Last RC class rigged with sails
Though Gresham was the lead ship, design changes
common to the other 4 caused the class to be named after Algonquin
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Decommissioned in 1935
Gresham was reaquired for WWII service
Hull numbers assigned in 1939, classified Patrol Gunboat
Decommissioned in 1947
Yes    
96 Winnisimmet Winnisimmet 2 1903 1 served in WWII Yes    
190 Miami Miami 2 1912 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Miami was renamed Tampa and was lost in WWI
Unalga was reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboat
Dcommissioned in 1945
Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind
Revenue Cutters
Tugs
Launches
  14
9
13
  Some of the most famous or interesting cutters
were one-of-a-kind. They include:
Androscoggin,
Apache,
Bear,
McCullough,
Pamlico,
Windom/Commanche, and
Hudson
7 served in WWII:
6 for the Coast Guard and 1 for the Army
Yes
Yes
Yes
   

1915 - 1940: Coast Guard Cutters

Class/Classification Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
White Hulls              
WWI              
205 Algonquin
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Gresham 5 Existing Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Last RC class rigged with sails
Though Gresham was the lead ship, design changes
common to the other 4 caused the class to be named after Algonquin
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Decommissioned in 1935
Gresham was reaquired for WWII service
Hull numbers assigned in 1939, classified Patrol Gunboat
Decommissioned in 1947
Yes    
190 Miami
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Miami 2 Existing Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Miami was renamed Tampa and was lost in WWI
Unalga was reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboat
Dcommissioned in 1945
Yes    
Prohibition Enforcement              
75 Six Bitters   203 1924 Commissioned as patrol boats without hull numbers
Designed for prohibition - excellent patrol boats - un-named
Yes    
100 Hundred Footers   13 1925 Commissioned as patrol boats without hull numbers
Designed for prohibition - proved uneconomical
Yes    
Floating Bases   6 1925 4 concrete and 2 wooden vessels acquired as mobile floating headquarters
Provided offshore support for prohibition patrol cutters
     
Destroyers   31 1924 Acquired from the Navy to enforce prohibition
Returned to Navy when prohibition repealed
Prohibition was known as the Destroyer Decade in the CG
     
USS Cassin
1000 Tonner
CGDD
  3 1924   Yes    
USS Paulding
Flivver
CGDD
  13 1924   Yes Yes  
USS O'Brien
1000 Tonner
CGDD
  2 1925   Yes    
USS Tucker
1000 Tonner
CGDD
  4 1925   Yes    
USS Sampson
1000 Tonner
CGDD
  3 1926   Yes    
USS Clemson
4 Pipers
CGDD
  6 1926   Yes    
Siezed Rum Runners   11 1926 The Coast Guard pressed siezed "blacks" into service
They often were the only assets fast enough to catch other blacks"
Yes Yes  
125 Buck-and-a-Quarters
CC2C/WSC/WPC/WMEC
Active 34 1927 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Subchasers
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Active was the lead ship and was assigned the lowest hull number
The 125s were officially referred to as the Active Class
Reclassified as Coastal Patrol Boats after the war
Reclassified asMedium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Morris was the last operartional 125 - decommissioned in 1970
Cuyahoga was an OCS training cutter until 1978
Yes Yes  
Ocean Weather Stations              
327 Secretary/Treasury
CC1C/WPG/WAGC/WPG/WHEC
Alexander Hamilton 7 1936 Acquired by Commandant Russell Waesche
Designed to provide support for commercial transoceanoc flights
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Guboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Hamilton was lead ship, but Bibb was assigned the lowest hull number
The 327s are officially referred to as the Secretary, Treasury or Hamilton Class
In WWII they were first used as convoy escorts in the Atlantic
Taney fought in the Pacific and then in the Med
Taney was upgunned with 4 5"/38s for antiair warfare in the Med
In 1945 they were converted to amphibious command ships
After the war they were reclassified back to Patrol Gunboats
Performed OWS duty after the war
All served in Vietnam
Reclassified High Endurance Cutters in 1967
Ingham was decommissioned in 1989
Yes Yes IS - 1936
IS - 1941
Other White Hulls              
Pawtuxet 138 Pawtuxet 1 1863 Class included USRC Mohoning/Woodbury
Longest serving RC (1863 - 1915)
Yes    
165 Tallapoosa
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Tallapoosa 2 1915 The last cutters designed by the Revenue Cutter Service
Delivered to the Coast Guard
Commissioned as Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Reclassified as First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified
One became a Patrol Gunboat, the other a River Patrol Boat
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Tallapoosa was lead ship but Ossipee had the lower number
The 165s were officially referred to as the Tallapoosa Class
Both were decommissioned in 1945
Yes    
182 Kankakee Kankakee 2 1919 Commissioned as riverboats without hull numbers
Paddlewheelers used for flood relief on the Mississippi
     
200 USS Eagle PC
Coast Guard Eagle Boat
  5 1919 Acquired from the Navy
Retained the Navy hull number with "CG" added
Named for crewmen of USCGC Tampa
Most only stayed in service less than 2 years
Yes Yes  
110 USS SC-1
Coast Guard Subchaser
  21 1919 Acquired from the Navy
Retained the Navy hull number with "CG" added
Named for crewmen of USCGC Tampa
Most only stayed in service less than 2 years
A few hung in to enforce the Neutrality Laws
Yes Yes Glencoe
Glencoe (LB)
240 Tampa
CC/CC1C/WPG
Tampa 4 1921 First cutters designed by the Coast Guard
Ordered shortly after WWI
First true "Multi-mission" cutters
Equipped for law enforcement, SAR, ice patrol, towing, and
derelict destruction and very heavily armed foir their size
Commissioned as Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Reclassified First Class Cruisning Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Haida was lead ship and was assigned the lowest hull number
The 240s were officially referred to as the Haida Class
Yes Yes  
250 Lake/Chelan
CC1C/WPG
Chelan 13 1928 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Gunboats
The 250s were officially referred to as the Lake or the Chelan Class
Sent to the UK under Lend-Lease
Only a few saw service after the war
All were decommissioned by 1950
Yes Yes  
165B Thetis
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Thetis 18 1931 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified Coastal Patrol Boats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Thetis was the lead ship, but Argo was assigned the lowest hull number
The 165As were officially referred to as the Thetis Class
Ariadne was decommissioned in 1967
Yes    
165A Algonquin
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Algonquin 6 1934 Part of a massive expansion by Commandant ADM Frederick Billard
Based on the Tallapoosa design
Designed with a cutaway forefoot for light (up to 2') icebreaking
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Escanaba was lead ship, but Algonquin was assigned lowest number
The 165As were officially referred to as Algonquin Class
Tahoma was decommissioned in 1953
Yes Yes IS - 1942
Launches and
Anchorage and Boarding Vessels
  21   Misc small harbor craft
Many had been RCS Launches
Several were acquired from the Navy
The Navy acquisitions had been SP boats
Some were classified AB Boats
Yes Yes  
Misc One-of-a-Kind
White Hulls
  24   Some of the most famous or interesting cutters were one-of-a-kind.
They include:
Androscoggin,
Apache,
Bear,
McCullough,
Windom/Commanche,
Pamlico, and
Northland,
Yes    
               
Black Hulls (Tugs)              
               
96 Winnisimmet Winnisimmet 2 1903   Yes    
88 Navy Harbor Tug   10 1919        
110 Calumet Calumet 4 1934   Yes    
110 Arundel Arundel 4 1939   Yes Yes  
Misc One-of-a-Kind Tugs   21   Some of the most famous or interesting
cutters were one-of-a-kind.
They include:
Hudson
Yes Yes  
Special Mission Cutters              
166 Army Mine Planter
Cable Layer
WARC
Pequot
(ex USAMP General
Samuel M. Mills)
1 1922 Mine Planter acquired from the Army and used as a cable layer Yes    
Floating Workshop
YR
Alpha 1 1928 Used as a floating machine shop at the Yard in Curtis Bay      
Merchant Marine Training Cutters
WIX
  17 1939 From 1939 - 1943 the Coast Guard trained US merchant seamen
To dlo so the Service acquired several ships of various design
Most were cargo or passenger ships
Delta Queen: Mississippi riverboat and National Historic landmark
Joseph Conrad: Luxury yacht that is currently at Mystic Seaport
Vema: E. F. Hutton's yacht and world famous research ship
Tusitalia: Last US sailing vessel in commercial service
American Mariner
Yes Yes  
Training Cutters              
168 USS Annapolis Class PG Alexander Hamilton
Ex USS Vicksburg)
(later Beta)

1 1921 Fourth Academy Training Ship Yes    
Small Boats              
Surfboats   3   Surfboats were used for near shore rescues
They were kept at Life Saving Stations along the coasts
They were on trailers and were hand hauled from the boat house to the water
Some stations had horses to draw the trailers
Later, some even had tractors
The original boats were modified whale boats
Each area of the country developed their own design of surfboat
Eventually the Life Saving Service standardized the boats as much as possible
The surfboats were originally powered by manned oars
They were originally not self bailing or self righting
These features were gradually introduced, as were gasoline engines
The surfboat was the main rescue device well into the late 1800s
Yes    
Lifeboats   6   Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self bailable and self rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Yes Yes Glencoe 36'
Utility Boats   2   The Coast Guard has used a variety of small boats for a variety of missions
Originally called launches, they are now referred to as utility boats
One was an air cushion vehicle that was evaluated but not accepted for service
This is NOT a complete list of every UTB used by the Coast Guard
Considering all of the one-of-a-kind acquisitions, that list would be huge
Yes Yes  
Cutter Boats   1   The Coast Guard has always carried small boats on cutters for rescues and boardings
Note that there are no "lifeboats" on Coast Guard Cutters
The Monomoy surfboat filled the role until the 60s
The 26' Motor Surf Boat replaced it and stayed around until 2000
Yes    

World War II

With the approach of WWII the government went through some major reorganizations
In 1939 the Coast Guard and the Lighthouse Service merged
All Lighthouse Tenders became Coast Guard Cutters
All of these tenders fought through WWII
When war broke out the Coast Guard grew rapidly, both in resposibilities and in personnel to carry them out
11 new classes of Cutters were commissioned - mostly black hulls and mostly inland tenders
The Coast Guard manned hundreds of ships and landing craft for the Navy and Army
The Coast Guard acquired a number of civilian vessels for coastal patrol
The Coast Guard gained an enviable reputation during the war
Some of the high points (and low ones) include:

Name Action Model
     
Cutters Credited With WWII Sinkings    
Icarus Sank U-352 on 9 May 1942  
McLane Sank RO-32 on 9 July 1942  
Ingham Sank U-626 on 17 December 1942  
Spencer Sank either U-225 or (more likely) U-529 on 21 February 1943  
Campbell Sank U-606 on 22 February 1943 Yes
Thetis Sank U-157 on 13 June 1943  
Coast Guard Manned Navy Ships Credited With WWII Sinkings    
Joyce and Peterson Sank U-550 on 19 April 1944  
Pride and Menges Sank U-371 on 4 May 1944  
Rockford (PF) Sank I-12 on 13 November 1944  
Knoxville (CG Flagship of Hunter/Killer Group) Group sank U-869 on 28 February 1945  
Lowe, Menges, Pride, Mosley Sank U-866 on 19 March 1945  
Knoxville (CG Flagship of Hunter/Killer Group) Group sank U-857 on 18 April 1945  
Knoxville (CG Flagship of Hunter/Killer Group) Group sank U-853 on 6 May 1945  
Cutters Sunk By Enemy Action    
Alexander Hamilton Sunk by U-132 on 30 January 1942  
Acacia Sunk by U-161 on 15 march 1942  
Muskeget Sunk by U-755 on 9 September 1942  
Escanaba Sunk by either U-334 or U-388 on 13 June 1943  
Other Cutters Lost    
Natsek Lost without a trace off Greenland in January 1943  
Wilcox Sank in gale 30 off Nags Head, NC September 1943  
Dow Sank in gale off Puerto Rico 15 October 1943  
Bodega Crushed in ice off Greenland 20 December 1943  
Bedloe Sank in gale off Cape Hatteras 14 Septemder 1944  
Jackson Sank in gale off Cape Hatteras 14 Septemder 1944  
CG 83415 Sank in gale off France 21 June 1944  
CG 83472 Sank in gale off France 21 June 1944  
Coast Guard Manned Navy Ships Sunk By Enemy Action    
LST 167 Lost at Vella La Vella, 15 August 1943  
Leopold Sunk by U-255 on 9 March 1944  
Menges Badly damaged on 3 May 1944 but salvaged  
LCI 85 Lost at Normandy, 6 June 1944  
LCI 91 Lost at Normandy, 6 June 1944  
LCI 92 Lost at Normandy, 6 June 1944  
LCI 93 Lost at Normandy, 6 June 1944  
Serpens (AK) Exploded off Guadalcanal on 29 January 1945
198 KIA - largest single loss of Coastguardsmen
 
LST 203 Lost at Nanomea  
Coast Guard Manned Army Ships Sunk By Enemy Action    
FS 172 Lost at New Guinea  
FS 255 Lost in the Philippines, 11 May 1945  

1939: Lighthouse Tenders That Became Coast Guard Cutters

Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
Ocean Going              
173 Magnolia
WAGL
Magnolia 2 1904        
190 Manzanita
WAGL
Manzanita 8 1908   Yes    
160 Oak
WAGL
Oak 2 1921   Yes    
172 Army Speedwell Mine Planter
WAGL
Ilex 6 1922   Yes    
173 Violet
WAGL/SWLM
Violet 3 1933        
175 Hollyhock
WAGL/WLM
Hollyhock 3 1939 Last vessels designed by and delivered to the Light House Service
The third of the class, Fir, was delivered to the Coast Guard
Fir reigned as Queen of the Fleet from 1988 to 1991
Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind
LHT/CGC.html
  19   Some of the most famous or interesting cutters were one-of-a-kind
They include:
Cedar, and
Juniper
Yes Yes  
               
Inland              
80 Althea Althea 2 1930 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
121 Linden Linden 3 1931 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
122 Maple Maple 3 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
91 Jasmine Jasmine 2 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
Misc One-of-a-Kind
LHT/CGC
  18     Yes    
               
Lightships
LV
LV A LH Board
LV 1 LHS
613   Lightships were used to mark the entrances to major US ports
or to mark damgers to navigation
The first US lightship location was Willoughby Spit in 1820
The last station to be discontinued was Nantucket Shoals
The last US lightship left station in 1983
Over the years 4 lightships were lost to storms
and one was rammed by RMS Olympic
One was lost to a German u-boat in WWI
Yes Yes Lindberg

WWII: Coast Guard Cutters

Class/Classification Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
White Hulls              
UK under Lend Lease              
250 Lake/Chelan
CC1C/WPG
Chelan 13 1928 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Gunboats
The 250s were officially referred to as the Lake or the Chelan Class
Sent to the UK under Lend-Lease
Only a few saw service after the war
All were decommissioned by 1950
Yes Yes  
North Atlantic/Med Runs              
327 Secretary/Treasury
CC1C/WPG/WAGC/WPG/WHEC
Alexander Hamilton 7 1936 Acquired by Commandant Russell Waesche
Designed to provide support for commercial transoceanoc flights
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Guboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Hamilton was lead ship, but Bibb was assigned the lowest hull number
The 327s are officially referred to as the Secretary, Treasury or Hamilton Class
In WWII they were first used as convoy escorts in the Atlantic
Taney fought in the Pacific and then in the Med
Taney was upgunned with 4 5"/38s for antiair warfare in the Med
In 1945 they were converted to amphibious command ships
After the war they were reclassified back to Patrol Gunboats
Performed OWS duty after the war
All served in Vietnam
Reclassified High Endurance Cutters in 1967
Ingham was decommissioned in 1989
Yes Yes IS - 1936
IS - 1941
Coastal Convoys              
205 Algonquin
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Gresham 1 1897 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Last RC class rigged with sails
Though Gresham was the lead ship, design changes
common to the other 4 caused the class to be named after Algonquin
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Decommissioned in 1935
Gresham was reaquired for WWII service
Hull numbers assigned in 1939, classified Patrol Gunboat
Decommissioned in 1947
Yes    
190 Miami
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Miami 1 1912 Commissioned as Revenue Cutters without hull numbers
Classified Cruising Cutters in 1915
Miami was renamed Tampa and was lost in WWI
Unalga was reclassified First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboat
Dcommissioned in 1945
Yes    
165 Tallapoosa
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Tallapoosa 1 1915 The last cutters designed by the Revenue Cutter Service
Delivered to the Coast Guard
Commissioned as Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Reclassified as First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified
One became a Patrol Gunboat, the other a River Patrol Boat
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Tallapoosa was lead ship but Ossipee had the lower number
The 165s were officially referred to as the Tallapoosa Class
Both were decommissioned in 1945
Yes    
165 Tallapoosa
RC/CC/CC1C/WPG
Ossippee 1 1915 The last cutters designed by the Revenue Cutter Service
Delivered to the Coast Guard
Commissioned as Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Reclassified as First Class Cruising Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified
One became a Patrol Gunboat, the other a River Patrol Boat
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Tallapoosa was lead ship but Ossipee had the lower number
The 165s were officially referred to as the Tallapoosa Class
Both were decommissioned in 1945
Yes    
125 Buck-and-a-Quarters
CC2C/WSC/WPC/WMEC
Active 34 1927 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Subchasers
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Active was the lead ship and was assigned the lowest hull number
The 125s were officially referred to as the Active Class
Reclassified as Coastal Patrol Boats after the war
Reclassified asMedium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Morris was the last operartional 125 - decommissioned in 1970
Cuyahoga was an OCS training cutter until 1978
Yes Yes  
165B Thetis
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Thetis 18 1931 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified Coastal Patrol Boats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Thetis was the lead ship, but Argo was assigned the lowest hull number
The 165As were officially referred to as the Thetis Class
Ariadne was decommissioned in 1967
Yes    
Misc Patrol Gunboats   2   These cutters were the Nourmahal and Mayflower Yes    
Misc Patrol Riverboats Pamlico 1     Yes    
83 Footers
WPB
CG 83300 230 1940 Designed for convoy duty along the Gulf and East Coasts
Known as the Matchbox Fleet - they had wooden hulls
60 went to Normandy as Rescue Fleet 1
Rescued 1,437 men and 1 woman from the Normandy surf
54 served in the Pacific
The surrender of the last Japanese bastion in the Marianas,
the island of Aquijan, was held on the deck of CG 83525
After the war the 83s were used as SAR boats
During the Cold War they were harbor guards
They were replaced by the 95s and 82s
The last 83, WPB 83484, was decommissioned on 15 April 1963
Though never specifically mentioned,
Homer Hickam's novel the Keepers' Son is set aboard an 83
You can tell from the picture on the cover
Yes Yes  
110 SC-1
WPC
  4 1943 Acquired from the Navy
Assignned to the CARIBSEAFRON
Yes Yes  
Patrol Yachts and
Coastal Patrol Yachts
WYP/WYPc
  19 1942 Mostly commercial fishing vessels in emergency service
Gertrude L. Thebaud was a Gloucester fishing/racing schooner
They patroled in three main areas:
Alaska, Greenland, and SEAFRONTIER Patrol
Yes
Yes
GLT (LB)
Emergency Vessels
EM
  21 1942 Similar to the WYPs but were desingated EM instead of USCGC
They patroled in three main areass:
Alaska, Greenland, and SEAFRONTIER Patrol
Yes Yes
 
Misc Acquisitions
Various
  6 1942 Similar to the WYPs but classified otherwise
Example, an ex-Army tug was classified a WYT instead of WYP
They patroled in three main areas:
Alaska, Greenland, and SEAFRONTIER Patrol
Yes Yes
 
Coast Guard Reserve Cutters
CGR
  2000+ 1943 These were civilian yachts of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
The Coast Guard armed them and their owners crewed them
Officially referred to as the Coastal Picket Force
The CG often called it the Corsair Fleet
Affectionately called the Hooligan Navy
Performed ASW patrols along the Gulf and East Coasts
On at least one occasion drove a submarine from the area
The only units to report a mock bombing attack on the US by Army bombers
Yes Yes  
Ocean Weather Stations              
Ocean Weather Cutters
WAG/WAK/WAO
  9 1942 These were commercial vessels acquired for OWS duty
6 were 1920s steamers, 1 was a WYPc trawler.
Asterion was a 1920s steamer turned Navy Q Ship
Big Horn was a commercial tanker turned Navy Q Ship
Sea Cloud was E. F. Hutton's yacht and test bed for racial integration
Muskegat was a 1920s steamer lost to a German torpedo
Yes Yes  
Greenland Patrol              
240 Tampa
CC/CC1C/WPG
Tampa 4 1921 First cutters designed by the Coast Guard
Ordered shortly after WWI
First true "Multi-mission" cutters
Equipped for law enforcement, SAR, ice patrol, towing, and
derelict destruction and very heavily armed foir their size
Commissioned as Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Reclassified First Class Cruisning Cutters in 1925
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Haida was lead ship and was assigned the lowest hull number
The 240s were officially referred to as the Haida Class
Yes Yes  
165A Algonquin
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Algonquin 6 1934 Part of a massive expansion by Commandant ADM Frederick Billard
Based on the Tallapoosa design
Designed with a cutaway forefoot for light (up to 2') icebreaking
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Escanaba was lead ship, but Algonquin was assigned lowest number
The 165As were officially referred to as Algonquin Class
Tahoma was decommissioned in 1953
Yes Yes IS - 1942
Misc Patrol Gunboats   3   These cutters included the famous Bear and Northland Yes    
230 Storis
WAGB/WAGL/WMEC
Storis 1 1942 See Link Yes    
269 Wind
WAGB
Northwind/Staten Island 5 1944 First US icebreakers designed to break arctic ice
Four were built for the Coast Guard in 1944
Three of the four were sent to Russia under Lend Lease
A fifth was started for the Coast Guard
At the same time, 3 were started for the Navy
The breakers that returned from Russia went to the Navy
In 1966 the Navy trurned all icebreaking duties over to the Coast Guard
All Wind Class ships became Coast Guard cutters - all were white
Some were renamed
In 1976 they were painted red
All were decommissioned by 1989
Yes Yes Revell - 1950
Patrol Yachts and
Coastal Patrol Yachts
WYP/WYPc
  14 1942 Mostly commercial fishing vessels in emergency service
Gertrude L. Thebaud was a Gloucester fishing/racing schooner
They patroled in three main areas:
Alaska, Greenland, and SEAFRONTIER Patrol
Yes
Yes
 
Too Late for Combat              
255 Lake/Owasco
WPG/WHEC
Owasco 13 1945 Replaced the 250 Lake Class given to the UK
Commissioned as Patrol Gunboats
The first white hulls commissioned with hull numbers
The 255s are officially referred to as the Lake or Owasco Class
Most served in Vietnam
Reclassified as High Endurance Cutters in 1967
All were decommissioned in 1973/1974
Yes Yes  
               
Black Hulls              
Ocean Going Buoy Tenders              
173 Magnolia
WAGL
Magnolia 2 1904        
190 Manzanita
WAGL
Manzanita 8 1908   Yes    
160 Oak
WAGL
Oak 2 1921   Yes    
172 Army Speedwell Mine Planter
WAGL
Ilex 6 1922   Yes    
173 Violet
WAGL/SWLM
Violet 3 1933        
175 Hollyhock
WAGL/WLM
Hollyhock 3 1939 Last vessels designed by and delivered to the Light House Service
The third of the class, Fir, was delivered to the Coast Guard
Fir reigned as Queen of the Fleet from 1988 to 1991
Yes    
180 Cactus
WAGL/WLB
Cactus 39 1943 First class of buoy tenders built for the Coast Guard
Designed with ice breaking hulls
Acacia was decommissioned in 2006
Yes Yes  
Misc One-of-a-Kind
Ocean Going Tenders
  21   Some of the most famous or interesting cutters were one-of-a-kind
They include:
Cedar and
Juniper
Yes Yes  
Inland Buoy Tenders              
80 Althea Althea 2 1930 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
121 Linden Linden 3 1931 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
122 Maple Maple 3 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
91 Jasmine Jasmine 2 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
100 Bluebell Bluebell 5 1942   Yes    
74 Clematis Clematis 2 1944   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind   19     Yes    
Icebreaking Tugs              
96 Winnisimmet Winnisimmet 1 1903   Yes    
110 Calumet Calumet 4 1934   Yes    
110 Arundel Arundel 4 1939   Yes Yes  
Emergency Ice Breakers
WAGL
  5 1942 The Coast Guard acquired 5 ice breaking ferries specifically
to work keeping the Great Lakes ice free during the war
They did the same job as icebreaking tugs
They were classified as AGLs because their work aided navigation
     
64' 64001 15 1943   Yes    
110 Kaw Kaw 2 1943   Yes    
110 Appalachie Appalachie 7 1943   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind Tugs   8   Some of the most famous or interesting
cutters were one-of-a-kind.
Yes Yes  
Great Lakes Icebreaker              
290 Mackinaw
WAGB
Mackinaw 1 1942 See Link Yes Yes  
Lightships              
Lightships
LV/WLV
LV A 613 1820 Lightships were used to mark the entrances to major US ports
or to mark damgers to navigation
The first US lightship location was Willoughby Spit
It was manned in 1820 by the third US lightship to be built (LV C)
The last station to be discontinued was Nantucket Shoals
The last US lightship left station in 1983
Over the years 4 lightships were lost to storms
and one was rammed by RMS Olympic
One was lost to a German u-boat in WWI
Yes Yes Lindberg
Lindberg (LB)
Special Mission Cutters              
Misc Patrol Gunboats   1          
166 Army Mine Planter
Cable Layer
WARC
Pequot
(ex USAMP General
Samuel M. Mills)
1 1922 Mine Planter acquired from the Army and used as a cable layer Yes    
Floating Machine Shop
WIX
Beta
(former Alexander Hamilton)
1 1940 Former cadet training cutter
Replaced Alpha as floating workshop at the Yard in Curtis Bay
     
Training Cutters              
WWII Traing Cutters   8 1942 With the massive expansion that came with going to war
The Coast Guard acquired vessels to train the ranks.
Atlantic was a racing yacht and Kaiser Cup winner used for training
Danmark was a Danish Navy square rigger that sought asylum
in the US and was used for Academy training
Bonneville was an SC-1 Class cutter that had served in the
1920s as USCGC Cook
Volador, a 110' schooner built in 1926
Had been the flagship of the California Yacht Club
Curlew
Yes Yes  
Small Boats              
Surfboats   3   Surfboats were used for near shore rescues
They were kept at Life Saving Stations along the coasts
They were on trailers and were hand hauled from the boat house to the water
Some stations had horses to draw the trailers
Later, some even had tractors
The original boats were modified whale boats
Each area of the country developed their own design of surfboat
Eventually the Life Saving Service standardized the boats as much as possible
The surfboats were originally powered by manned oars
They were originally not self bailing or self righting
These features were gradually introduced, as were gasoline engines
The surfboat was the main rescue device well into the late 1800s
Yes    
Lifeboats   4   Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self bailable and self rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Yes Yes Glencoe 36
Glencoe 36 (LB)
Cutter Boats   1   The Coast Guard has always carried small boats on cutters for rescues and boardings
Note that there are no "lifeboats" on Coast Guard Cutters
The Monomoy surfboat filled the role until the 60s
The 26' Motor Surf Boat replaced it and stayed around until 2000
Yes    
Manned for the Navy              
Amphibious Warfare Ships              
AK C1-M-AV1 Alamosa 338   5 1945   Yes Yes  
AK EC-2 SC-1 Crater 441   9 1943   Yes Yes  
AK N3-M-A1 Enceladus 269   2 1942   Yes    
AKA C2-S-B1 Andromeda 459   3 1943   Yes    
AP C4-S-A1 Gen GO Squire 522   9 1944   Yes    
AP P2-SE2-R1 ADM. W. S. Benson 608   4 1944   Yes Yes  
AP P2-S2-R2 Gen John Pope 622   7 1945 Largest class vessel commanded by a CG officer Yes    
APA C3-S-A2 Bayfield 492   4 1943   Yes Yes  
APA C3-P&C Middleton 489   2 1943   Yes    
APA 1921 Era Harris 535   3 1943   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind APA   2     Yes    
LST   77 1944 1 LST was converted to PT Tender Yes Yes  
LCI   28 1942   Yes Yes  
LCVP   1000+ 1942   Yes Yes  
Auxiliary, Gasoline Tanker              
AOG Klickitat 220   4 1945   Yes    
AOG Mattawee 220   14 1944   Yes Yes  
AOG Wautauga 220   1 1944   Yes    
Combatant Ships              
Corvette Canadian 208   8 1942 CARIBSEAFRON Yes Yes  
Corvette Temptress 202   1 1942 CARIBSEAFRON Yes Yes  
DE Edsall 306   30 1943   Yes Yes  
PF 303   74 1943   Yes Yes  
SC-497 110   7 1942 Greenland Patrol and Bering Sea Patrol Yes Yes IS
PC 173   4 1942   Yes Yes  
Misc Navy Ships              
Misc USS 116 Geoanna 1 1943        
Misc USS 485 Station tanker Celtic 1 1944   Yes    
Misc USS Mobile Storage Tanker Abaranda 1 1942   Yes    
YP   40 1941   Yes Yes  
Manned for the Army              
FS   188 1944   Yes    
LT   51 1944   Yes Yes  
Marine Repair Ship 373   2 1944   Yes    

1946: Short Lived Navy Acquisitions

These Cutters saw very limited duty before being returned to the Navy or scrapped

Class Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Modes Built
               
110 USS SC 497 SC
110 Air Crow
WPC
Air Crow 36 1946 Acquired from the Navy
Never left the piers - not enough personnel to man them
Returned to the Navy within the year
Yes Yes  
184 USS PCE(R)
WPC
  2 1946 Acquired from the Navy to replace 125s lost to storm - Never used Yes Yes  
303 USS Tacoma PF
WPF
  9 1946 These were Navy PFs manned by CG crews in WWII
After the war 9 became CG Cutters and were used as OWS ships
Returned to the Navy at the end of 1946
Yes Yes  
328 USS Charleston PG   1   Requested by the CG from the Navy to replace the lost Hamilton
The transfer never occurred due to personnel issues
Yes Yes  
-

1947 to 1999

The Coast Guard decommissioned many of its older cutters within 2 years after the war
Several ships came from the Navy in 1946, but only 2 205' Fleet Tugs and 2 213' Rescue Vessels remained in service in 1947
Ocean Weather Stations became prominent in the 1950s to support the fast growing transoceanic commercial aviation industry
Budget constraints allowed only 1 patrol boat and 2 inland tender classes to be commissioned before the 1960s
The Coast Guard relied on ships the Navy was decommissioning to fill the ranks
These Navy ships were newer than the old Cutters they were replacing
The Coast Guard also acquired Eagle in 1946
The Coast Guard acquired 12 Edsall-Class DEs to man OWS during the Korean War
CGC Courier performed a special mission for many years in the 50s and 60s
The budget strings loosened in the 1960s and 9 new classes were commissioned
The 1970s brought surface effect ships into the Fleet
The 1980s brought 2 new white hulls (the first in 20 years) and a new class of tugs

Cutters Eligible for Korean Service Ribbon

Name Classification/Hull Num
   
Bering Strait WAVP 382
Chautaqua WPG41
Durant WDE 489
Escanaba WPG 64
Falgout WDE 424
Finch WDE 428
Forster WDE 434
Gresham WAVP 387>
Ironwood WAGL 297
Iroquois WPG 43
Klamath WPG 66)
Koiner WDE 431
Kukui WAK 186
Lowe WDE 425
Minnetonka WPG 67
Newell WDE 442
Planetree WAGL 307
Pontchartrane WPG 70
Ramsden WDE 458
Richy WDE 485
Taney WPG 37
Wachusett WPG 44
Winnebago WPG 40
Winona WPG 64

Coast Guard Cutters, 1947 - 1999

Class?Classification Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
White Hulls              
125 Buck-and-a-Quarters
CC2C/WSC/WPC/WMEC
Active 34 1927 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Subchasers
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Active was the lead ship and was assigned the lowest hull number
The 125s were officially referred to as the Active Class
Reclassified as Coastal Patrol Boats after the war
Reclassified asMedium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Morris was the last operartional 125 - decommissioned in 1970
Cuyahoga was an OCS training cutter until 1978
Yes Yes  
250 Lake/Chelan
CC1C/WPG
Chelan 3 1928 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Gunboats
The 250s were officially referred to as the Lake or the Chelan Class
Sent to the UK under Lend-Lease
Only a few saw service after the war
All were decommissioned by 1950
Yes Yes  
165B Thetis
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Thetis 14 1931 Part of a massive expansion by ADM Frederick Billard
Commissioned as Second Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified Coastal Patrol Boats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Thetis was the lead ship, but Argo was assigned the lowest hull number
The 165As were officially referred to as the Thetis Class
Ariadne was decommissioned in 1967
Yes    
165A Algonquin
CC2C/WPC/WMEC
Algonquin 3 1934 Part of a massive expansion by Commandant ADM Frederick Billard
Based on the Tallapoosa design
Designed with a cutaway forefoot for light (up to 2') icebreaking
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939 and reclassified Patrol Gunboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Escanaba was lead ship, but Algonquin was assigned lowest number
The 165As were officially referred to as Algonquin Class
Tahoma was decommissioned in 1953
Yes Yes IS - 1942
327 Secretary/Treasury
CC1C/WPG/WAGC/WPG/WHEC
Alexander Hamilton 6 1936 Acquired by Commandant Russell Waesche
Designed to provide support for commercial transoceanoc flights
Commissioned as First Class Cruising Cutters without hull numbers
Hull numbers were assigned in 1939, reclassified as Patrol Guboats
Numbers were assigned alphabetically, not by date of commission
Hamilton was lead ship, but Bibb was assigned the lowest hull number
The 327s are officially referred to as the Secretary, Treasury or Hamilton Class
In WWII they were first used as convoy escorts in the Atlantic
Taney fought in the Pacific and then in the Med
Taney was upgunned with 4 5"/38s for antiair warfare in the Med
In 1945 they were converted to amphibious command ships
After the war they were reclassified back to Patrol Gunboats
Performed OWS duty after the war
All served in Vietnam
Reclassified High Endurance Cutters in 1967
Ingham was decommissioned in 1989
Yes Yes IS - 1936
IS - 1941
83 Footers
WPB
CG 83300 230 1940 Designed for convoy duty along the Gulf and East Coasts
Known as the Matchbox Fleet - they had wooden hulls
60 went to Normandy as Rescue Fleet 1
Rescued 1,437 men and 1 woman from the Normandy surf
54 served in the Pacific
The surrender of the last Japanese bastion in the Marianas,
the island of Aquijan, was held on the deck of CG 83525
After the war the 83s were used as SAR boats
During the Cold War they were harbor guards
They were replaced by the 95s and 82s
The last 83, WPB 83484, was decommissioned on 15 April 1963
Though never specifically mentioned,
Homer Hickam's novel the Keepers' Son is set aboard an 83
You can tell from the picture on the cover
Yes Yes  
230 Storis
WAGB/WAGL/WMEC
Storis 1 1942 See Link Yes    
255 Lake/Owasco
WPG/WHEC
Owasco 13 1945 Replaced the 250 Lake Class given to the UK
Commissioned as Patrol Gunboats
The first white hulls commissioned with hull numbers
The 255s are officially referred to as the Lake or Owasco Class
Most served in Vietnam
Reclassified as High Endurance Cutters in 1967
All were decommissioned in 1973/1974
Yes Yes  
180 Cactus
WAGL/WLB
WAGO/WMEC
Evergreen 1 1946 1945: Reclassified an oceanographic research vessel
1986: Reclassified as a Medium Endurance Cutter
Supported Ice Patrol research cruises
Yes Yes  
205 USS Apache AT/ATF
WAT/WATF/WMEC
  6 1946 Acquired from the Navy to replace retiring 125s and 165s
Originally classified as Fleet Tugs
Some retained their navy name and hull numbers
Others were renamed and/or renumbered
Known only as 205s - no other class designation
Reclassified as Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Tamaroa was decommissioned in 1994
Yes Yes  
213 USS Diver ARS
WATF/WMEC
  3 1946 Acquired from the Navy to replace retiring 125s and 165s
Originally classified as Fleet Tugs
Some retained their navy name and hull numbers
Others were renamed and/or renumbered
Known only as 213s - no other class designation
Reclassified Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Acushnet was decommissioned in 2011
Yes Yes  
311 USS Barnegat AVP
WAVP/WHEC
Casco 18 1949 Acquired from the Navy for OWS duty
Originally clasified as Light Seaplane Tenders
The first 3 were "given" to the Coast Guard and were renamed
The rest were "loaned" to the Coast Guard and retained
their navy names
The 311s were officially referred to as the Casco Class
With crew reduced to post-war standards berthing was palatial
With aviation fuel tanks changed to ship service fuel tanks
the ships could cruise forever
Reclassified as High Endurance Cutters in 1967
Many turned over to Vietnam in 1972
All but 1 decommissioned in 1972
Unimak served until 1988
Yes Yes  
306 USS Edsall DE
WDE
  12 1951 Acquired from the Navy
Used as Ocean Weather Station ships during the Korean War
Then returned to the Navy
Yes Yes  
338 C1-M-AV1 Cargo Ship
WAGR/WTR
Courier 1 1952 See Link for the very unique misssion of this unique cutter
Used as an OCS training cutter after at the end of the special mission
Yes Yes  
95 Cape
WPB
Cape Small 36 1953 Commissioned as Patrol Boats
Originally only numbered - Named in 1964
The 95s were officially referred to as the Cape Class
Designed as shallow water ASW platforms
By the early 1960s all ASW weapons removed
Used for near shore SAR
Cape Corwin was decommissioned in 1990
Yes Yes Lindberg
Lindberg (LB)
143 USS Bagaduce ATA
WATF/WMEC
  2 1959 Acquired from the Navy to replace retiring 125s and 165s
Originally classified as Fleet Tugs
Some retained their navy name and hull numbers
Others were renamed and/or renumbered
Known only as 143s - no other class designation
Reclassified as Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Commanche was decommissioned in 1980
Yes Yes  
82 Point
WPB
Point Caution 79 1960 Commissioned as Patrol Boats
Originally only numbered - Named in 1964
The 82s were officially referred to as the Point Class
Many fought in Vietnam and were then turned over to Vietnam
Point Brower was decommissioned in 2003
Yes Yes  
210 Reliance
WPC/WMEC
Reliance 16 1964 Commissioned as Coastal Patrol Bots
With the 378s, first new CG built capital ship since 1936
The 210s were officially referred to as the Reliance Class
Reclassified as Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Will be replaced by the National Security Cutter, Medium
Yes Yes  
378 Hamilton
WHEC
Hamilton 12 1967 Commissioned as High Endurance Cutters
The first cutters of the modern era
Not acquired from another service and never reclassified
With the 210s, first new CG built capital ship since 1936
The 378s were officially referred to as the Hamilton Class
Being replaced by the National Security Cutter, Large
Yes Yes  
73 USS Flagstaff PGH Flagstaff 1 1974 Evaluation of hydrofoil concept in 1974 - Fully operational 75 - 78 Yes Yes  
115 USS High Point PCH High point 1 1975 Evalution of hydrofoil concept - blew an engine and returned to the Navy Yes    
109 Surface Effect Ship
WSES
Dorado 4 1981 Very effective drug enforcement cutters but too unecomomical Yes    
270 Famous
WMEC
Bear 13 1983 Designed to replace the 327s
Commissioned as Medium Endurance Cutters
Named for famous cutters of the past
The 270s are officially referred to as the Famous Class
Will remain in service for the forseeable future
Yes Yes  
110 Island
WPB
Farallon 47 1986 Designed to replace the 95s
Commissioned as Patrol Boats
The 110s are officially referred to as the Island Class
Being replaced by the National Security Cutter, Small
Yes Yes  
87 Marine Protector
WPB
Barracuda 73 1998 Designed to replace the 82s
Commissioned as Patrol Boats
Named for marine life
The 87s are only referred to as 87s - no other class designation
Yes Yes  
               
Black Hulls              
Ocean Going              
160 Oak
WAGL
Oak 2 1921   Yes    
173 Violet
WAGL/WLM
Violet 3 1933        
175 Hollyhock
WAGL/WLM
Hollyhock 3 1939 Last vessels designed by and delivered to the Light House Service
The third of the class, Fir, was delivered to the Coast Guard
Fir reigned as Queen of the Fleet from 1988 to 1991
Yes    
180 Cactus
WAGL/WLB
Cactus 39 1943 First class of buoy tenders built for the Coast Guard
Designed with ice breaking hulls
Acacia was decommissioned in 2006
Yes Yes  
189 Army Chimo Mine Layer
WAGL/WLB
Ivy 4 1946 Acquired from the Army
All were decommissioned in 1967/1968
Yes    
132 USS YF White
WAGL/WLM
White Sumac 8 1947 Acquired from the Navy
White Sumac was decommissioned in 2002
Yes    
157 Red
WAGL/WLM
Red Wood 5 1964 These cutters were all decommissioned by 1999 Yes    
225 Juniper
WLB
Juniper 16 1996   Yes Yes  
175 Keeper
WLM
Ida Lewis 14 1998   Yes Yes  
Misc One-of-a-Kind   12     Yes    
Inland              
80 Althea Althea 2 1930 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
121 Linden Linden 3 1931 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
122 Maple Maple 3 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters Yes    
91 Jasmine Jasmine 2 1939 Bay and sound tenders built for shallow near shore waters      
100 Bluebell Bluebell 5 1942   Yes    
74 Clematis Clematis 2 1944   Yes    
65 Blackberry Blackberry 3 1946        
65 Bayberry Bayberry 2 1954   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind   19     Yes    
River Tenders              
103 Goldenrod Goldenrod 2 1938 River tenders      
114 Dogwood   3 1943 Designed to replace the paddlewheelers on the Mississipps      
65 Ouchita Ouchita 6 1960   Yes    
75 Wedge Wedge 12 1964   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind WLR   5     Yes Yes  
Inland Construction Tenders              
100 Smilax Smilax 3 1943 Currently reigning Queen of the Fleet Yes    
75 Anvil Anvil 9 1962   Yes    
160 Pamlico Pamlico 4 1976   Yes    
Buoy Boats              
64' Aids to Navigation Boat (ANB)   3     Yes    
63' Aids to Navigation Boat {ANB}   1     Yes    
38' Aids to Navigation Boat {ANB}   1     Yes    
34' Buoy Utility (BU)   2     Yes    
46' Buoy Utility Stern Loading (BUSL)   2     Yes    
Icebreaking Tugs              
110 Calumet Calumet 4 1934   Yes    
110 Arundel Arundel 4 1939   Yes Yes  
110 Kaw Kaw 2 1943   Yes    
110 Appalachie Appalachie 7 1943   Yes    
86 Army ST
Medium Tug
WYTM
Messenger 1 1945 Small Tug Acquired from the Army
Used as a harbor tug at the Yard in Curtis Bay
Yes Yes  
65 Capstan 15 1962   Yes Yes  
140 Bay Katmai Bay 9 1980   Yes Yes  
Great Lakes Icebreaker              
290 Mackinaw
WAGB
Mackinaw 1 1942 See Link Yes Yes  
Lightships              
Lightships
LV/WLV
LV A 613 1820 Lightships were used to mark the entrances to major US ports
or to mark damgers to navigation
The first US lightship location was Willoughby Spit
It was manned in 1820 by the third US lightship to be built (LV C)
The last station to be discontinued was Nantucket Shoals
The last US lightship left station in 1983
Over the years 4 lightships were lost to storms
and one was rammed by RMS Olympic
One was lost to a German u-boat in WWI
Yes Yes Lindberg
Lindberg (LB)
               
Special Mission Cutters              
Polar Icebreakers              
269 Wind
WAGB
Northwind/Staten Island 7 1944 First US icebreakers designed to break arctic ice
Four were built for the Coast Guard in 1944
Three of the four were sent to Russia under Lend Lease
A fifth was started for the Coast Guard
At the same time, 3 were started for the Navy
The breakers that returned from Russia went to the Navy
In 1966 the Navy trurned all icebreaking duties over to the Coast Guard
All Wind Class ships became Coast Guard cutters - all were white
Some were renamed
In 1976 they were painted red
All were decommissioned by 1989
Yes Yes Revell - 1950
309 Glacier
WAGB
Glacier 1 1942 See Link Yes    
399 Polar
WAGB
Polar Star 2 1975 First new icebreakers since 1945
Starting to show their age
Yes Yes  
Training Cutters              
Post WWII Traing Cutter   5   The Coast Guard has used a variety of cutter types for training
Some were retired operational cutters
Others were acquired from the Navy
Curlew was carried over from the war
Eagle was acquired from Germany as a war prize
Yes Yes  
Misc              
338 C1-M-AV1 Cargo Ship
WAK
Kukui 2 1945 Maritime Commission general cargo ships
Used for LORAN construction and support
Yes Yes  
188 Chimo-Class Mine Layer
Cable Layer
WARC
Yamacraw
(ex USAMP MajGen
Arthur Murray)
(ex USS Trapper)
1 1946 Mine Planter acquired from the Army and used as a cable layer Yes    
176 Army FS
WAK
  3 1946 Small Freighters acquired from the Army
Used for LORAN construction and support
Yes    
GINY Ferry Unclassified 5 1966 The Coast Guard took over Governors Island New York
from the Army in 1966
Third Coast Guard District Office was on GINY for years
GINY also hosted 3 378s, a small boat station, and other units
The only access to GINY were ferries operated by the Coast Guard
The ferries were decommissioned when GINY closed in 1997
     
374 Research Vessel
WHEO
Joseph Henry
aka Neverbuilt
1   See Link Yes    
               
Small Boats              
Lifeboats   5   Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self bailable and self rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Yes Yes Glencoe 36
Glencoe 36 (LB)
CGM 44 (LB)
Utility Boats   9   The Coast Guard has used a variety of small boats for a variety of missions
Originally called launches, they are now referred to as utility boats
One was an air cushion vehicle that was evaluated but not accepted for service
This is NOT a complete list of every UTB used by the Coast Guard
Considering all of the one-of-a-kind acquisitions, that list would be huge
Yes Yes  
Surf Rescue Boats   4   The Coast Guard acquired Army surplus DUKWs for rescues in heavy surf
Performance was good but maintainablilty was poor
The Coast Guard designed replacements - none are still in service
Yes Yes  
Cutter Boats   2   The Coast Guard has always carried small boats on cutters for rescues and boardings
Note that there are no "lifeboats" on Coast Guard Cutters
The Monomoy surfboat filled the role until the 60s
The 26' Motor Surf Boat replaced it and stayed around until 2000
Yes Yes  

Post 2000 Fleet

Operation Deep Water began a major revitalization of the Fleet

Class/Classification Lead Ship Num Year Comments Pix Model Built
               
White Hulls              
213 USS Diver ARS
WATF/WMEC
Acushnet 1 1946 Acquired from the Navy to replace retiring 125s and 165s
Originally classified as Fleet Tugs
Some retained their navy name and hull numbers
Others were renamed and/or renumbered
Known only as 213s - no other class designation
Reclassified Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Acushnet was decommissioned in 2011
Yes Yes  
82 Point
WPB
Point Caution 79 1960 Commissioned as Patrol Boats
Originally only numbered - Named in 1964
The 82s were officially referred to as the Point Class
Many fought in Vietnam and were then turned over to Vietnam
Point Brower was decommissioned in 2003
Yes Yes  
210 Reliance
WPC/WMEC
Reliance 16 1964 Commissioned as Coastal Patrol Bots
With the 378s, first new CG built capital ship since 1936
The 210s were officially referred to as the Reliance Class
Reclassified as Medium Endurance Cutters in 1967
Will be replaced by the National Security Cutter, Medium
Yes Yes  
378 Hamilton
WHEC
Hamilton 12 1967 Commissioned as High Endurance Cutters
The first cutters of the modern era
Not acquired from another service and never reclassified
With the 210s, first new CG built capital ship since 1936
The 378s were officially referred to as the Hamilton Class
Being replaced by the National Security Cutter, Large
Yes Yes  
270 Famous
WMEC
Bear 13 1983 Designed to replace the 327s
Commissioned as Medium Endurance Cutters
Named for famous cutters of the past
The 270s are officially referred to as the Famous Class
Will remain in service for the forseeable future
Yes Yes  
110 Island
WPB
Farallon 47 1986 Designed to replace the 95s
Commissioned as Patrol Boats
The 110s are officially referred to as the Island Class
Being replaced by the National Security Cutter, Small
Yes Yes  
87 Marine Protector
WPB
Barracuda 73 1998 Designed to replace the 82s
Commissioned as Patrol Boats
Named for marine life
The 87s are only referred to as 87s - no other class designation
Yes Yes  
179 USS Cyclone
WPC
Cyclone 6 2000 Acquired from the Navy as high speed interdiction boats
Retained their Navy names and hull numbers
Classified as Coastal Patrol Boats
the 179s are officially referred to as the Cyclones
Yes Yes  
418 Legend
Maritime Security Cutter, Large
WMSL
Bertholf 3+? 2008 Designed to replace the 378s
Named for legendary Coastguardsmen through history
The class is officially referred to as the Legend Class
The cutters are the first NOT to be referred to by hull length
They are referred to as Maritime Security Cutters or "Wimsels"
Yes    
154 Sentinel (Enlisted)
Fast Responce Cutter FRC)
WPC
Bernard C. Webber 5+? 2011 Designed to replace the 110s Yes    
Maritime Security Cutter, Medium
WMSM
    2012 Being developed to replace the 210s
Delayed by budget issues
     
Misc One-of-a-Kind
White HullsM
Medium Endurance Cutter
(WMEC)
2 TBD Some of the most famous or interesting cutters
were one-of-a-kind
They include: Storis and Alex Haley
Yes    
               
Black Hulls              
Ocean Going              
180 Cactus
WAGL/WLB
Cactus 11 1943 First class of buoy tenders built for the Coast Guard
The first class of cutters commissioned with hull numbers
Designed with ice breaking hulls
Yes Yes  
132 USS YF White
WAGL/WLM
White Sumac 1 1947 Acquired from the Navy
White Sumac was decommissioned in 2002
Yes    
225 Juniper
WLB
Juniper 16 1996   Yes Yes  
175 Keeper
WLM
Ida Lewis 14 1998   Yes Yes  
Inland              
Inland Tenders              
100 Bluebell
WAGL/WLI
Bluebell 1 Existing 4 Have been decommissioned Yes    
65 Blackberry
WLI
Blackberry 3 1946   Yes    
65 Bayberry
WAGL/WLI
Bayberry 2 1954   Yes    
Misc One-of-a-Kind
WLI
Buckthorn 1 Existing   Yes    
River Tenders              
65 Ouchita
WLR
Ouchita 6 Existing   Yes    
75 Wedge
WLR
Wedge 12 Existing   Yes    
Inland Construction Tenders              
100 Smilax
WLIC
Smilax 2 Existing 2 Have been decommissioned
Smilax is the currently reigning Queen of the Fleet
Yes    
75 Anvil
WLIC
Anvil 8 Existing One has been decommissioned Yes    
160 Pamlico
WLIC
Pamlico 4 Existing   Yes    
Buoy Boats              
64' Aids to Navigation Boat (ANB)   3     Yes    
63' Aids to Navigation Boat {ANB}   1     Yes    
38' Aids to Navigation Boat {ANB}   1     Yes    
34' Buoy Utility (BU)   2     Yes    
46' Buoy Utility Stern Loading (BUSL)   2     Yes    
26' Trailorable ATON Boat (TANB)     2007   Yes    
21' Trailorable ATON Boat (TANB)   82 2007   Yes    
55' Aids to Navigation Boat (ANB)   21 2007   Yes    
49' Buoy Utlility Stern Loading (BUSL)   28 2007   Yes Yes  
Icebreaking Tugs              
65 Capstan
WYTL
Capstan 15 Existing   Yes Yes  
140 Bay
WTGB
Katmai Bay 9 Existing   Yes Yes  
Great Lakes Icebreaking Tug              
290 Mackinaw
WAGB
Mackinaw 1 1942 See Link Yes Yes  
240' Mackinaw
WLBB
Mackinaw 1 2005 See Link Yes Yes  
               
Special Mission Cutters              
Polar Icebreakers              
399 Polar
WAGB
Polar Star 2 Existing   Yes Yes  
420 Healy
WAGB
Healy 1 2000   Yes Yes  
               
Training Cutters              
295 Barque
WIX
Eagle (ex SNS Horst Wessel) 1 Existing See Link Yes Yes  
               
Small Boats              
Lifeboats   14   Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self bailable and self rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Yes Yes Yes
Utility Boats   12   The Coast Guard has used a variety of small boats for a variety of missions
Originally called launches, they are now referred to as utility boats
One was an air cushion vehicle that was evaluated but not accepted for service
This is NOT a complete list of every UTB used by the Coast Guard
Considering all of the one-of-a-kind acquisitions, that list would be huge
Yes Yes  
Surf Rescue Boats   4   The Coast Guard acquired Army surplus DUKWs for rescues in heavy surf
Performance was good but maintainablilty was poor
The Coast Guard designed replacements - none are still in service
Yes Yes  
Cutter Boats   4   The Coast Guard has always carried small boats on cutters for rescues and boardings
Note that there are no "lifeboats" on Coast Guard Cutters
The Monomoy surfboat filled the role until the 60s
The 26' Motor Surf Boat replaced it and stayed around until 2000
Yes Yes  

Navy Ships Named For Coastguardsmen

Class Name Num Year Comments Model
           
Clemson DD Satterlee 1 1919 Named for CAPT Charles Satterlee, CO, USRC/CGC Tampa  
Gleaves DD Satterlee 1 1943 Named for CAPT Charles Satterlee, CO, USRC/CGC Tampa  
John C. Butler DE Douglas A. Munro 1 1947 Named for Signalman 1/c Douglas Munro, Medal of Honor  
Fletcher DD Newcomb 1 1944 Named for LT Frank Newcomb, CO USRC Hudson
Specially authorized Congressional Medal in lieu of MoH
 


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