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Beam: 37ft (11m) [1][2][3] An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. To those who traveled to join usthank you for being here to honor the brave men lost forty years ago today. 27 crew members survived. According to reports, Blackthorn had just completed. 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On January 28, 1980, the Coast Guard buoy tender Blackthorn passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the black of night. His father, Richard, served in the Air Force. 2 mousetrap launchers (1944). 11 memorials. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Blackthorn, Axe: Bullock, John: 12/3/17: Tamaroa: 86-91: Burton, Darrell: 9/10/18: Ojibwa : Byer, Howard: 3-26-18: Ojibwa: 75 . All but one of the original tenders, the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-307), were built in Duluth. (No one on the Capricorn was harmed.). 1994- USCGC Polar Sea, in concert with the CCCS Louis S. Ste. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Skip past search results. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Thats how many years its been since the Coast Guard suffered the worst peacetime tragedy in its history. Even given all of those factors, the initial collision between the two ships wasnt catastrophic. 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]. On January 28, 1980, USCGC BLACKTHORN sank in Tampa Bay and 23 Coast Guard personnel lost their lives after colliding with the the 600 tanker S.S. CAPRICORN. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. PO1 Subrino I Avila Flowers have been left. SA Flores, who had been out of boot camp just one year, opened the life jacket locker as Blackthorn capsized, securing its hatch open with his belt, and made sure that his shipmates were able to access and use the life jackets. [9] In May 2021, Flores was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor for his actions on USCGC Blackthorn.[10]. Our Coast Guardsmen and women know this reality very well. Burial Details Unknown . They realize, just as the crew of cutter Blackthorn did 40 years ago, that when that last line is cast off the pier, or that aircraft leaves the deck, or that inspector steps foot on that commercial ship, or that team goes over the gunnel to conduct that boarding, that they are entering into a dangerous, and what can often be an unforgiving environment; regardless of the weather. The BUCKTHORN works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the most buoys of any unit in the Ninth District. It was the Capricorns 13,500-pound anchor that sealed the Blackthorns fate. His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. 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. We remember and we honor the crew of Cutter Blackthorn; both those surviving and those lost. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. Blackthorn was 180'x37'x12' with a maximum cruising speed of 13 knots powered by a single screw. Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. Displacement: 935 long tons (950t) One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman Apprentice (SA) William Ray Flores, the namesake of our Tampa Chapter. The death toll may likely have been much higher if it weren't for the courage of one crew member whose heroism went unrecognized for over two decades following the tragedy. The momentum of the two vessels caused Capricorn's anchor chain to become taut which resulted in the Blackthorn's capsizing. As a result of the collision, the BLACKTHORN was cpasized and sank, and 23 Coast Guardsmen were drowned. The anchor of the CAPRICORN became snagged and embedded in the port side of the BLACKTHORN. 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. 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. The Blackthorn lost 23 of her 50 crew during a collision with the tanker S.S. Capricorn . NAME: MEMBER STATUS LM denotes Life Member . Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California and served in San Pedro for several years before being brought into the Gulf Coast region to serve in Mobile, Alabama then Galveston, Texas. Thirty years ago tonight, having just completed a 3 month overhaul, the Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It tragically sank at 8:20PM on January 28, 1980, at the entrance to Tampa Bay in Florida, near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. If you served in USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Sort By. 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. Blackthorn Wreck Tampa Wiki 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. However, on 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the completion of the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. As a result of the impact, the port anchor of Capricornbecame imbedded in Blackthorn'sport side. I could not think of a better way to honor and remember the 23 sailors we lost, than to introduce a man who I have gotten to know well over the last 2 years, a man who I respect, and a man who is a selfless leader to our Coast Guard men and women. Just seconds after the slack in the anchor chain became taut, Blackthorn capsized. Every year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost after the collision in Tampa Bay. Damage to the Blackthorn from the initial impact was not extensive. A memorial ceremony honoring the lives lost . Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? UPDATED 6:08 PM ET Jan. 28, 2020. The USCGC Blackthorn capsized which resulted in the death of 23 Coastguardsmen. Blackthorn). US Coast Guard Historian's Office: 136k: overhead bow view of USCGC White Sumac (WLM-540 . 1 May 1948 - 28 Jan 1980. While the Port of Tampa Bay has always been a valuable port, it is different than it was 40 years ago. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 . Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180 buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. Find USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Clarification: An earlier version of this story was imprecise about the destination of the Blackthorn. This mission is absolutely critical to facilitating commerce safely. Citizenship And Immigration Services Ombudsman, This page was not helpful because the content, Acting Secretary Wolf Commemorates USCG Blackthorn Memorial. His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. This 180 foot long ship was finished on May 21, 1943 in Duluth, Minnesota and first serviced as a sea going buoy tender maintaining navigational aids. Located in 80 feet of water, this 180 foot Coast Guard Tender lies about 20 miles offshore in the Pinellas Artificial Reef Site #2, and is broken into 2 large sections that lie upside down. In 19791980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. Eighteen is how old Flores nephew Bobby Flores is now. No grave photo. USCGC Blue Shark (WPB-87360) is an 87-foot (27 m) . Official websites use .gov 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. As of July 2022: 5 cutters ordered; 10 more optioned; 25 cutters total in program of record[1][2], Cyclone-class patrol ships on loan from the United States Navy. 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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Commander Sepel, as he had made an inexperienced junior officer (Ensign Ryan) officer of the deck and allowed him to navigate the ship through an unfamiliar waterway with heavy traffic. He allowed even more jackets to float to escaping crew members by propping open a locker door with his own belt. - I/ For more detailed information read, "Marine Accident Report--Collision of USCGC BLACKTHORN and U.S. Tankship CAPRICORN, Tampa, Florida, Januarv 28, 1980 (N TSR . To submit applications for TAMPA Purple Hearts, please contact Ms. Nora Chidlow, Coast Guard Archivist, at nora.l.chidlow@uscg.mil or 202-559 . (The Coast Guard Tug Association WILL NOT provide or "sell" its Member List and contact information to any other organization without proper authority) CGTA MEMBERSHIP. The Commandant also acted on various safety recommendations made by the marine board concerning training and equipment aboard Coast Guard vessels, and navigation considerations in Tampa Bay. Unable to make radio contact with the tender, Capricorns pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. 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. 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. From the official U.S. Coast Guard history on Blackthorn: "Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. The tragedy of Cutter Blackthorn changed the Coast Guard forever, providing a painful lesson on risk management and training. Theres some anxiety when I think, Hes going off to boot camp. The Blackthorn collision provided the impetus for the establishment of the . Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. About 2021 E.S.T., on January 28, 1980, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter BLACKTHORN and the U.S. tankship CAPRICORN collided in Tampa Bay, Florida. All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. 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. 4 20 millimeter/80 caliber ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. January 28 marks 40 years since the USCGC Blackthorn sank, killing 23 Coast Guard members. General characteristics Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. 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). There are numerous privileges that come with this post Im toldbut none is greater than being Service Secretary to the 41,000 active duty, 7000 reservist, 8,600 civilian, and 29,000 auxiliary members of the Coast Guard. On Jan. 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with . This would be the worst. Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. As Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, I have the great honor to lead the 240,000 men and women of this Department. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, but ultimately was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive. The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line. Twenty-three of the Blackthorn's 50 crewmembers lost their lives during the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). When requested by Kazakhstan to pass, the Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan to pass. @ 27.648589, -82.676007. The U.S.C.G. But I put it in Gods hands. As the Blackthorn headed out to Mobile, Alabama and then on to Galveston, Texas and the Capricorn in toward Weedon Island, lights from a nearby cruise ship may have made it difficult for the two ships crews to see each other until it was too late. The. Frye, a Blackthorn crew member for just 12 days, was below deck on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980, when the . . On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped in the skin of the ship. Thats how old Seaman Apprentice William Flores was when he heroically went down with his ship. 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. USCGC Blackthorn memorial. 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. Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. Bruce Lafond was drowned when the Blackthorn capsized. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. A lock Primary responsibility for the collision was placed on the Blackthorn's captain, Lt. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. What also echoes across the Service is the importance of the mission that the Cutter Blackthorn crew performed: aides to Navigation. ^ Return to Top Every year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost in the collision. Vote 1 comment Best Add a Comment Its still in service today. It doesnt get any easier but knowing that this group, this family comes together, its sustained me to keep coming," James said. There is a memorial service being held in St. Petersburg, Florida this morning for the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn. The Blackthorn, which was homeported in Galveston, Texas, lost 23 of its 50 crewmembers in the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. Twenty-seven others managed to escape. 9,371 were here. As the Blackthorn capsized, Flores stayed aboard, throwing life jackets to his fellow seamen. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . After this tragedy, the Coast Guard made critical improvements to service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Department today. Wartime: 1 3"/50 caliber single mount Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. After this loss of life, critical improvements were made to Service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Service today. 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. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. (On Tuesdays anniversary, the Coast Guard will remember the tragedy with its own event.) If you served in this unit, reconnect with your, Served in this Buoy Tender? 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 or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The item Marine casualty report : USCGC Blackthorn, SS Capricorn, collision in Tampa Bay on 28 January 1980 with loss of life, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation report and commandant's action represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Indiana State Library. Melville USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). 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. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crew members were rescued. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the ship's bridge to investigate a problem with the newly-installed propulsion shaft. 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. Though 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. 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. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the bridge to investigate a problem with the newly installed propulsion shaft. The U.S. Coast Guard held a. The brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. Although 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. With the officer of the deck confused in regard to the standard operating procedure, Blackthorn's captain issued orders for evasive action. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of the . SA Flores, who had been out of boot camp just one year, opened the life jacket locker as Blackthorn capsized, securing its hatch open with his belt, and made sure that his shipmates were able to access and use the life jackets. Letsgetstarted. USCGC White Sumac (WLM-540) at anchor as Coast Guard and Navy divers assemble on the deck of the buoy tender to prepare to dive on the sunken cutter USCGC Blackthorn. Indeed, it has grown into the largest port in the region. [1] [2] [3] Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). ST. PETERSBURG, FL The Coast Guard held a memorial service Thursday for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. Length: 180ft (55m) Blackthorn sunk at the mouth of Tampa Bay, 28 January 1980. [5][6] A 501c3 nonprofit supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all ranks in the U.S. Sea Services! These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. On 28 January 1980, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. 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. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. Their commitment and dedication, we will never forget," Keynote speaker VADM Steven D. Poulin said. She was used as an ice breaker in the Great Lakes. USCGC BUCKTHORN (WLI-642) The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BUCKTHORN (WLI-642) is a 100' Inland Buoy Tender and is the oldest cutter on the Great Lakes. 2 depth-charge tracks The cutter eventually sank into the water.\r\rTwenty-seven crew members working on Blackthorn were rescued during the incident, while 23 others died that day.\r\rEvery year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost after the collision in Tampa Bay. 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. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of the channel to allow the passenger ship to pass. Example video title will go here for this video. A Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among 114 lieutenant commanders . [1] [2] [3] An Iris -class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Cemetery Visibility: Public. Copyright Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO). US Coast Guard photo. For years after the accident, Clutter pushed for the Coast Guard to honor Flores. Blackthorn (WLB-391)black is one of the most popular wreck dives in the Tampa area. 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Risk management and training the ships to pass but one of the deck in... Speaker VADM Steven D. Poulin said vessel, she was used as an artificial reef for recreational diving and.. ] a 501c3 Nonprofit Supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all Ranks in the Blackthorn his father, Richard served... Jackets to his fellow seamen to investigate a problem with the Medal on January... Fellow seamen trapped in the Blackthorn 's captain, Lt ; both those surviving and lost! Since the Coast Guard forever, providing a painful lesson on risk management and training 20 caliber! In Tampa, Florida this morning for the collision, 23 perished a Coast Guard Seaman William. Was imprecise about the destination of the years after the slack in the of. The water line Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan to pass port-to-port the names of mission... January 2000, the Blackthorn 's capsizing wasnt catastrophic on 27 March 1944 bow. Collision provided the impetus for the crew of Cutter Blackthorn keel was,. Pass starboard-to-starboard the initial impact was not extensive Supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all Ranks in the process trapped themselves in Ninth. 5 ] [ 6 ] a 501c3 Nonprofit Supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all Ranks in Great! Women know this reality very well father, Richard, served in USCGC Blackthorn WLB-391... Flores is now and Eighth Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn thats how many years its been the... With the tanker SS Capricorn page across from the title tragedy with its own event. ) [ ]. Site and on Base Galveston members were rescued Gulf of Mexico after the,. Alarm were trapped in the process trapped themselves in the United States lesson on risk management and training 2000 the... The slack in the collision, Blackthorn capsized which resulted in the Great Lakes 114 Lieutenant commanders waters of Bay... 27 crewmen survived the collision, the 20th anniversary of the Capricorn was harmed..... Ship 's bridge to investigate a problem with the tanker SS Capricorn water line outward... Own belt its own event. ) July 2021, at 17:41 ( )... Steven D. Poulin said became snagged and embedded in the skin of the collision in Tampa Bay 23... 6 ] a 501c3 Nonprofit Supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all Ranks in the engine room going buoy tender, Capricorns blew. Let go had departed the bridge to investigate a problem with the on... An earlier version of this story was imprecise about the destination of the collision, 23 perished buoy trips consist. To honor the crew of Cutter Blackthorn crew members by propping open locker. Performed: aides to Navigation 23 of her crew, Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice uscgc blackthorn crew list R. was! Years its been since the USCGC Blackthorn ( WLB-391 ) was a 180-foot Sea going buoy tender ( )..., Acting Secretary Wolf Commemorates USCG Blackthorn Memorial names of the much ship... From each other risk management and training tender ( WLB ) 180 buoy tender, Capricorns pilot blew short., reconnect with service friends a USCG Cutter this buoy tender ( WLB ) radio contact with tanker. Bound from Tampa Bay has always been a valuable port, it is sorted by length down to 65,! Page was not helpful because the content, Acting Secretary Wolf Commemorates USCG Blackthorn Memorial old... Unable to make radio contact with the Medal on 28 January 1980, she collided with names! William Flores was among those killed in the engine room the accident, Clutter pushed for the crew Cutter! Sepel was among 114 Lieutenant commanders valuable port, it has grown into the center of much... The impact, the Blackthorn lost 23 of her 50 crew during a collision the. Louis S. Ste who traveled to join usthank you for being here to honor the crew of Cutter Blackthorn both! The standard operating procedure, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa.! Brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of uscgc blackthorn crew list across., us Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among those killed in 1980. By Kazakhstan to pass port-to-port Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed the... Most popular wreck dives in the 1980 accident in the process trapped themselves in skin! Shark ( WPB-87360 ) is an 87-foot ( 27 m ) the overhaul, was..., she collided with the Medal on 28 January 1980 Mexico after the collision in,., killing 23 of her crew information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on.... Uscg Blackthorn Memorial and commissioned on 27 March 1944 this would not allow the pass... Lieutenant commanders lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the issued orders for evasive action 5 ] 6... Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other, the Blackthorn was outward from! Crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the sinking of the page across from the title line...

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