The Active-class cutter USCGC Alert (WMEC-127) moored on the Columbia River, by Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon. Seen on 14 August 2019. Photo from Wikipedia by Godsfriendchuck.
Ran across an effort to preserve a bit of our heritage. These volunteers’ mission to “…preserve, maintain and operate the old United States Coast Guard Cutter Alert, WSC-127 as a living museum. As one of the last warships representative of her era afloat we feel we have been given a chance to see to it that this fine old vessel continues to enlighten and inspire future generations.”She is now in North Portland Oregon.
As far as I can tell she is not open to the public yet. (Tried to e-mailed them but did not get a response.)
Anyone have a current status?
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
I windered where she went. She was a semi-derelict fixture around the SF Bay Area for years.
I seem to recall a 125 was being used as a Sea Scout ship in the bay area for some time. Not sure which one it was though.
My brother served on the Alert and the Active (the 125 that was converted for buoy work) when they homeported out of Monterey.
I’ll have to look for it next time I’m crossing the river in that area.
There was a story a while back about someone setting it and a WWII LST adrift http://www.katu.com/news/6707412.html
I am the cheif engineer on the Alert now, here in Portland ,Oregon. Have been working on this old vessel for 6 months. I have the starboard generator running and producing electricity, doing a little R&R on the port generator to extend its life and will start running the mains soon. Haven,t had anyone to show me how to operate this vessels engine room so have been reverse engineering the whole process. Have to be careful so no damage is done due to lack of knowledge. I ran an engine room on the buttonwood years ago in Hawaii. The Aert is alive and well, but we do need more help in her restoration. We are presently working on group organization so we can apply for a grant. Also we have recenlty had a 15kw generator donated by my brother in law to give the ships generators a rest. If you want to know more my e-mail is above.
i served on “buttonwood” ou of galveston. tx = (1988- 1990 ), do-tell, i’m up the fwy frm u ! un seattle, wa. area , hit me up 4 a chat! . later alumni brother. “the wad”, remember the duty -dirty- mk nightmares – boots” fireewatches & crash on the jetty , 1989summer , off freeport , tx. capt. got relieved of duty , quietly , his daddy was also a uscg admiral , awwww, shuk’s ! w.
I called the Portland PD tonight about someone in a older white sail boat docked in between the Alert and the dock (next to I5). Looked like they were boarding the ship, and possibly removing items. It did not look right, and was about 7:45 pm when I saw them. Not sure if anyone was contacted… I did not know who else to call…
I acquired a copper looks like a vent duct fitting with flashing claim on piece says US Coast Gaurd Alert. If it is an original piece of the ship you might be interested in it.
It’s time to bring this thing to an end! Let me know how I can get it down to vigor to be refitted and back in service doing what it was designed to do. Attorney’s are standing by!
Suggest you try to contact a Robert Barteau in St. Louis. He served in the Alert’s engine room for four years, 1962 thru 1966?
I spent 1 year of my Coast Guard service on the ALERT. WE WERE STATIONED in Morro Bay Calif. The old girl did her duty as we towed in fishing boats and we also went out and target practiced with the forward cannon. As we were told she was commisioned in 1926.
Unfortunately it is now a home and painting ship of the drug addicted homeless in Jantzen Beach. So sad… It is probably being slowly stripped of anything of value by them… It is now an eyesore, and a matter of time will be towed to be scrapped somewhere…
Would love to have the ship for myself…
1 was stationed on the alert at grape st pier in san diego in june 1960. i was also onthe other 125 the morris in terminal island san pedro ca. in t962.
Im sorry to say that this old cutter has been ransacked and stripped of all its valuables. Its currently being inhabited by homeless people.
Can nothing be done about this outrage?
Who owns it and how can I get a hold of them? Looking to bring it back on line and operational as a sensor integrated coastal patrol down south!
Im in contact with the owner…
can you give us the owner’s name? I am Chuck Needels, served on the Alert 127 1953-57 chuckneedels@yahoo.com
we got a look at the ship where it is anchored a few years ago–looked in bad shape then..
I have lived in Vancouver wa all my life&always have seen those ships& wanted 2go aboard&feel the power of these ships& read that they were being repaired.. Funny thing is imma b 55here soon&have NEVER SEEN ANYONE FIXING THEM.. Well me&a couple of my friends would volunteer or time to help bring them back 2all their glory.. I mean they r wasting away&its not write please call me or text me so we can save them.. Ive heard the Alert is in bad shape but it will b worth all the hard work& my sons are welders so we can get them dry on the inside.. PLEASE CALL OR TEXT ME DONNA STACEY 360 869 5561 THANK U LOOK forward 2hearing from u
(2 Nov 2021) It looks like the old CGC ALERT (WMEC 127) sank at her berth in North Portland (alongside the Rt 5 bridge) as “one of the old derelict DOD ships”. Never even knew there was a CGC Alert other than the one I used to write the schedule for (WMEC 630) but imagine my surprise when I visited Astoria, OR (actually the Maritime Museum) and there was the very same CGC Alert (WMEC 630) moored at the pier. Talked to a young sailor stationed on the ship but he never even knew it used to have a homeport in Cape May, NJ.
if i remember right, back 85-87 while i was on matinicus the alert was also in cape may.
I served on the Alert WMEC 127 in San Diego from June 1962 to June 1964.
Walt Burris
As a cadet in the late 60s I visited one of this class. A lot of people stuffed into enlisted birthing in the bow of these little ships.
Not a lot of Freeboard. Two of these were lost in a storm during WWII. https://chuckhillscgblog.net/2015/12/20/the-great-atlantic-hurricane-september-1944/
More detail on what happened to the former USCGC Alert.
This is Bill Lacy. I worked on the Alert wwith Walt James. I did a lot of work on the generators and had them both producing DC electricity. Also had both main engines running. They were both in good condition for their age. Quit the organization after 2 years because Walt was difficult to work with. My experience was a bouy tender in the CG, and various life boat stations. I was an engineman and a Diver. Retrieved the sunk bouys the Navy ran over. Sad to see this happen to the Alert. It probably sank from rain water. The decks leaked profusely, and the ship had to be pumped routine ly back then. Also the the sea valves to the sea chest were unable to seal off the water to the sea strainers. There were multiple maintenance issues that caused the sinking. The tug will go next. Any vessel left unattended will eventually sink. A vessel of this size requires about 20 volunteers working regularly to keep it maintained. Any questions e mail me.
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