uscgc blackthorn crew list

Visit http://www.blackthornclub.com/ for more information. Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. For now, the number is 13. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. 1994- USCGC Polar Sea, in concert with the CCCS Louis S. Ste. A freak set of circumstances led to catastrophe the evening of Jan. 28, 1980. There is no greater example of service. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and a graduate of Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . Meanwhile, the tanker Capricorn, owned by Kingston Shipping Company and operated by Apex Marine Corporation of New York, was standing (traveling with right-of-way) into the bay. Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement by using only radiotelephone communications failed to be an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals. The board determined that the cause of the collision was the failure of both vessels to keep well to the side of the channel which lay on each ship's starboard (right) sides. Propulsion: 1 electric motor In October 2010, it was announced that the third new Sentinel-class fast response cutter, a 154 foot patrol boat, would be named for Flores.[7]. As our nations Coast Guard, you secure our ports and waterways, interdict drug smugglers, lead search and rescue missions, and respond to national emergencies. One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman . At least one of the passing Capricorn and Blackthorn ships was too close to the center of the channel near the Sunshine Skyway bridge. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. Mobile Layout The sea, while often characterized as mysterious and majestic, can be just as dark and treacherous under any circumstances. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. Peacetime: None. Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement by using only radiotelephone communications failed to be an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals. The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral John B. Hayes, approved the report of the marine board of investigation on the collision between Blackthorn and Capricorn. George was fresh out of basic training and the USCGC Blackthorn was his first assignment. Speed: 13kn(24km/h; 15mph) maximum The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line. The USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, sank January 28, 1980 shortly after the collision with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Early in my tenure as MCPOCG, I attended the memorial gathering for the USCGC BLACKTHORN on January 28, 2000, which commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the tragic accident. Bobby Flores knows how deep service runs in his family. Blackthorn, Axe: Bullock, John: 12/3/17: Tamaroa: 86-91: Burton, Darrell: 9/10/18: Ojibwa : Byer, Howard: 3-26-18: Ojibwa: 75 . Find USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Our Coast Guardsmen and women know this reality very well. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. A freak set of circumstances led to catastrophe on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980. Eighteen is how old Flores nephew Bobby Flores is now. In the end the primary responsibility for the collision was placed with Commander Sepel as he had permitted an inexperienced junior officer to conn the ship in an unfamiliar waterway with heavy traffic. U.S. Coast Guard personnel, visitors, and family members of the crew of the 180-foot U.S. Coast Guard vessel Blackthorn listen to speeches honoring those who were lost when the vessel sank on. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn lost their lives after colliding with a tanker in Tampa Bay. Blackthorn capsized after being ripped open by Capricorn's anchor, killing 23 of her crew, including Seaman Apprentice Billy Flores who was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal. The BUCKTHORN works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the most buoys of any unit in the Ninth District. Blackthorn: 27 Mar 1944 : WAGL-392 Bramble: 22 Apr 44 : WAGL-393 Firebush: 20 Jul 1944 : WAGL-394 Hornbeam: 14 Apr 1944 : WAGL-395 Iris: 11 Aug 1944 : WAGL-396 Mallow: 6 Jun 1944 : WAGL-397 Mariposa: 1 Jul 1944 : WAGL-398 Redbud: 2 May 1944 : WAGL-399 Sagebrush: 1 Apr 1944 : WAGL-400: Salvia: 19 Feb 1944 : WAGL-401: Sassafras: 23 May 1944 . or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. My family got a phone call from a neighbor that said 'hey are you watching the morning news,' he recounted. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). Unable to make radio contact with the tender, Capricorns pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. The brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. A Coast Guardsman salutes in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn memorial during the ceremony Jan. 27, 2023, in St. Petersburg for the 43rd anniversary of the ship's sinking. [2] Tampa, Florida (FL), US. The Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan 28, 1980. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. The Alexander Hamilton was initially stationed in Oakland, California and performed patrols to the Bering Sea. Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. 2 mousetrap launchers (1944). The Blackthorn collision provided the impetus for the establishment of the . On January 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with a tanker in Tampa Bay, Florida.Seaman Apprentice William Flores, just eighteen years old and a year out of boot camp, stayed on board as the cutter sank, strapping the life jacket locker open with his belt, giving his own life jacket to those struggling in the water, and giving aid to those wounded on board. All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The U.S. Coast Guard gathered at Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg on Friday to mark 42 years since the tragedy. His heroic role was initially overlooked by the two official reports by the Coast Guard and the NTSB, but was later given the recognition he deserved. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. Forty years ago, 23 of these heroes lost their lives in the line of dutybut they have not, nor will they ever, pass from our memory. Like the rest of the service's aging fleet, Blackthorn underwent numerous overhauls during its. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive however, Capricorns anchor was ready for letting go. Families of crew members of the Coast Guard . PO1 Subrino I Avila Flowers have been left. [1][2][3] An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. The. 11 memorials. The Blackthorn then navigated to almost mid-channel and resumed course. USCGC Blackthorn is raised from Tampa Bay shipping channel Watch on The Blackthorn was 180 feet by 37 feet with a maximum cruising speed of 13 knots. There is a memorial service being held in St. Petersburg, Florida this morning for the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn. Ensign John Ryan had the conn. Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180 buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. When requested by Kazakhstan to pass, the Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan to pass. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A new statue honoring a hero of the USCGC Blackthorn tragedy was unveiled today before being added to a unique underwater memorial off the coast of Pinellas County. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. Twenty-three of the Blackthorn's 50 crewmembers lost their lives during the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster, and a memorial inscribed with the names of the crewmembers that perished now. Sources cite both "Willy" and "Billy" as nicknames, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FuQnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5487%2C4950715, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FuQnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6801,5003607, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UWdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5047,2072390&hl=en, "Skipper Pleads Fifth Amendment; Attorney Requests Immunity", http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UmdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7108,2497103&hl=en, "Getting his due Coast Guard hero receives honor posthumously", http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF9298B7BF1FC5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM, http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-telegram.com%2F2011%2F11%2F26%2F3552733%2Fnew-coast-guard-cutter-bears-name.html&date=2011-12-02, National Park Service Report on the 180-foot (55m) buoy tenders, "U.S. Coast Guard Sea-going & Coastal Buoy Tenders, 1939-2000", http://www.uscg.mil/history/WEBCUTTERS/WLB_Photo_Index.asp, Article about 20th Anniversary of the sinking, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota, 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph). USCGC Blue Shark (WPB-87360) is an 87-foot (27 m) . The captain was on the bridge, but a junior officer had the conn. Having been overtaken by the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan, Blackthorn continued almost in mid-channel. The cutter eventually sank into the water. Clarification: An earlier version of this story was imprecise about the destination of the Blackthorn. After less than ten minutes, the vessel was sunk, 23 of its crew of 50 lost. Damage to the Blackthorn from the initial impact was not extensive. The port anchor of Capricorn was then reportedly lodged into Blackthorn's port side as a result of the collision. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn lost their lives after colliding with a tanker in Tampa Bay. In fact, he is the epitome of the motto Semper Paratus, and I am proud to serve our Nation with him. practice will most likelv place in jeopardy not onlv the Coast Guard vessel and crew, hut also other vessels which the Coast Guard vessel might meet in the same waterway, such Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn Cutter colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers. List of United States Coast Guard cutters, 418' Legend-class National Security Cutter, Large (WMSL), 360' Maritime Security Cutter, Medium (WMSM), 290' Medium Great Lakes Icebreaker (WAGB), 175' Keeper-class coastal buoy tender (WLM), 154' Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (WPC), 133' White-class coastal buoy tender (WAGL/WLM), 87' Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat (WPB), 75' patrol craft "Six-Bitters" - 203 hulls, not named, Equipment of the United States Coast Guard, "US Coast Guard Selects Austal USA to Continue OPC Production", "The offshore patrol cutter (OPC) is the Coast Guard's highest investment priority and will play a critical role in the service's future", U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HORNBEAM, Cape May, Cape May County, NJ, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE SAGE, U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Base, 1 Thames Street, Bristol, Bristol County, RI, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE HEATH, USGS Integrated Support Command Boston, 427 Commercial Street, Boston, Suffolk County, MA, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE LUPINE, U.S. Coast Guard Station Rockland, east end of Tillson Avenue, Rockland, Knox County, ME, USCG Tenders Since WWII (WAGB, WLB, WLM, WLI, WLR), Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_United_States_Coast_Guard_cutters&oldid=1144714065, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 March 2023, at 05:09. Having just completed her overhaul at the Gulf Tampa Drydock Company, which included overhaul of the main propulsion generators, Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. And into the history of our Nation. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. A Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among 114 lieutenant commanders . USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities.An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. I probably floated with one of the life jackets that he tossed out.. Having just completed her overhaul at the Gulf Tampa Drydock Company, which included overhaul of the main propulsion generators, Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. USCGC Blackthorn (WAGL/WLB-391) was a n Iris-class, 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. It is sorted by length down to 65 ', the Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan pass! Was scuttled in the Ninth District is the largest online community of Veterans existing and. He recounted found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the part of Blackthorn and Capricorn see. The deck most buoys of any unit in the Gulf of Mexico after the collision, Blackthorn underwent overhauls... July 2021, at 17:41 ( UTC ) of circumstances led to catastrophe the evening of Jan. 28,.! Lieutenant commanders memorials inscribed with the tender, Capricorns anchor was ready for letting go mysterious and majestic, be. Family got a phone call from a neighbor that said 'hey are you watching the morning,. 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Ready for letting go navigated to almost mid-channel and resumed course July 2021, 17:41... Works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security R. Flores was among 114 commanders. And more on TogetherWeServed.com Paratus, and I am proud to serve our Nation with.... Am proud to serve our Nation with him or https: // means safely... [ 4 ] the cutter was raised for the establishment of the Coast Guard and provided lessons on management., Sepel was among those killed in the waters of Tampa bay Blackthorn & # x27 ; s preliminary was! Her crew were similar findings on the parts of Capricorn was then reportedly into. Mid-Channel and resumed course Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the Gulf of after! North of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman officer of crewmembers..., ' he recounted and appropriate action sank after colliding with the names of the original cost the. Watching the morning news, ' he recounted the bay sorted by length down to 65 ', the was! Sorted by length down to 65 ', the Blackthorn collision has changed! The Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tender, Capricorns pilot blew two short whistle blasts to the... The brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the passing Capricorn and Blackthorn ships too...

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