As a former 327 sailor I’d like to thank the crew of Decisive for their work on the Ingham (WHEC-35/WPG-35). Coast Guard Compass has the story.

The keepers of the Ingham, MIAMI-DADE HISTORICAL MARITIME MUSEUM INC, are trying to raise money to keep the old girl in shape. If you can help, this is the place to go. Donations are tax deductible and must be made by credit card.

This is their short history of the ship,

U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER INGHAM (WHEC-35)
Maritime Museum & National Historic Landmark National Memorial to Guardians Killed in Action In World War II and Vietnam

The only Coast Guard Cutter afloat today to receive two
Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism
in action against an armed enemy

With over 50 years of service around the world, USCGC INGHAM is a quintessential portrait of Coast Guard history from 1936 to 1988.

This is an important memorial dedicated to the lives lost throughout the INGHAM’S service, and we are determined to preserve this memorial, but your help is necessary for our success.  A ship of this size requires an astronomical amount of maintenance.  It is and always will be a battle to keep this Museum afloat.

More Facts about the USCGC INGHAM

The USCGC INGHAM was built in 1935 and served until 1988. This 327 foot cutter is the most decorated cutter in history earning 27 medals and 13 battle stars for service from WWII through Viet-Nam. Highlights of her career are:

31 Convoys across the Atlantic in WWII and sinking of UBOAT 626, the only American War vessel afloat today to have sunk a German Sub.

Participated in 13 landing in the Pacific and flagship for 5, most notably the Flagship for General MacArthur’s return to Corregidor.

Flagship after WWII for the South China Naval Force under the Command of RADM Elliot Buckmaster, the former Captain of the USS YORKTOWN at the battle of Midway, the turning point of the battle in the Pacific.

Awarded two Presidential Unit Citation by President by President NIXON for Service in Viet-Nam.

Participated in the Mariel Boat lift in Key West to Cuba in 1980 saving many lives and vessels.

In 1985 was the most decorated and oldest serving Naval Vessel in U. S. Service receiving a letter from President Reagan attesting to her service.

Retired in 1988 after serving honorably for 52 years which at that time was 25% of our Nations’ History.

USCGC INGHAM was designated a NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK in 1992.

Just a note from the German Navy’s Marine Forum without attribution from their “Upcoming/Planned Events” section. Measurements reported in metric translate to 568.4 ft long, 111.5 ft or beam, 34.4 ft draft.

This morning I was reminded of the loss of C-130 Rescue 1705 and her crew, having been directed to a facebook page by a Canadian friend, Ken White. You can find it here.

My analysis of the incident is here.

CIMSEC (Center for International Maritime Security) does a weekly podcast they call “Sea Control.” This week, they talk to James Daffer, a USCG Mobile Training Branch member about his experiences.

SC Episode 6 – USCG Adventures (Download)

Officerofthewatch.com reports a bit different hidden compartment smuggling scheme, using the rudder trunk to smuggle contraband or even people.

The design of the Zumwalt, DDG-1000, isn’t likely to influence Cutter designs much, but it is interesting and she is nearing completion. Her christening party had been scheduled for Oct 19, but has been delayed due to the government shutdown. Take a a look at Defensenews’ photos.

The German Navy blog Marine Forum reports,

MarineLog is reporting that Canada’s Ministery of Public Works and Government has awarded a contract valued at an estimated $3.3 billion (Canadian) to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards to build an additional 10 non-combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard,

The additional ships are five Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels (MEMTVs) and five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

Surprising I haven’t seen any discussion of these ships. The Canadian dollar is worth about $0.965 US so these ships average over $300M so they should be comparable to the Offshore Patrol Cutter. The OPVs might be more Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, but that seems unlikely since they would have almost certainly referred to them as AOPS rather than OPVs.

Anyone have information on these ships?