Tampa, Florida (FL), US. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. The port anchor of Capricorn was then reportedly lodged into Blackthorn's port side as a result of the collision. But I put it in Gods hands. 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. Blackthorn was 180'x37'x12' with a maximum cruising speed of 13 knots powered by a single screw. Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the USCGC Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! One of 40 180-foot buoy tenders built during World War II, Blackthorn was commissioned in 1944. 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. 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. There is no greater example of service. Melville USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). Class & type: Iris The U.S.C.G. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. 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. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. Earlier the cutter had been overtaken by the Kazakhstan, a Russian passenger ship. One of the best known dive sites around Tampa and St Petersburg is the United States Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn (U.S.C.G. 1990- The President's Report on Polar Icebreaker Requirements has indicated a national need for three polar icebreakers operated by the Coast Guard plus one ice capable research vessel leased by the National Science Foundation. 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. 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. 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. Bruce Lafond was drowned when the Blackthorn capsized. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. After this tragedy, the Coast Guard made critical improvements to service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Department today. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. Thirty years ago tonight, having just completed a 3 month overhaul, the Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay. The following crew list identifies those individuals who have yet to be awarded the Purple Heart for their sacrifice. USCGC Blackthorn was a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. 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. 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. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. Primary responsibility for the collision was placed on the Blackthorn's captain, Lt. [1][2][3] the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackthornand the U.S. tankship Capricorncollided in Tampa Bay near the junction of Cut 'A' and Mullet Key Channels. It tore into the cutters hull, then pulled the ship down. [1][2][3] An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Peacetime: None. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. After less than ten minutes, the vessel was sunk, 23 of its crew of 50 lost. (On Tuesdays anniversary, the Coast Guard will remember the tragedy with its own event.) Indeed, it has grown into the largest port in the region. Citizenship And Immigration Services Ombudsman, This page was not helpful because the content, Acting Secretary Wolf Commemorates USCG Blackthorn Memorial. What also echoes across the Service is the importance of the mission that the Cutter Blackthorn crew performed: aides to Navigation. And 23: the number of lives lost aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn after it collided with a passing 605-foot oil tanker in the waters of Tampa Bay. 1 May 1948 - 28 Jan 1980. After two land assignments, he was assigned to the USCGC Blackthorn, a buoy tender. 11 memorials. The crew of USCGC JOHN SCHEURMAN continues the streak of excellence in the Arabian Sealeading yet another U.S. Coast Guard interdiction of illicit Liked by Fernando Gutierrez 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. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. Richard Flores, one year older than Billy, has seen his son Bobby, a high school senior in Texas, grow older than his heroic brother. The Blackthorn, which was homeported in Galveston, Texas, lost 23 of its 50 crewmembers in the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. The Alexander Hamilton was one of the newest ships in the service. Blackthorn, Axe: Bullock, John: 12/3/17: Tamaroa: 86-91: Burton, Darrell: 9/10/18: Ojibwa : Byer, Howard: 3-26-18: Ojibwa: 75 . By kjfitz @ 2010-12-06 12:05:55. All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. Blackthorn sunk at the mouth of Tampa Bay, 28 January 1980. Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Lodge Member Tom Allor represented Detroit Lodge No. The U.S. Coast Guard held a. 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. 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. Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. 'This is tough': 3 killed, including 2 young children, in Hillsborough County fire, Hillsborough deputy helps rescue father, daughter stranded in water for almost an hour, 10 Weather: Showers early Monday then clearing skies, FWC: Boat captain killed by lightning strike in Brevard County, It's been 41 years since the deadly Blackthorn collision in Tampa Bay, Memorial service honors victims of 1980 Blackthorn tragedy. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. As our nations Coast Guard, you courageously head out on dark and stormy nights so that others may live. 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. USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83) 282' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) [ edit] USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39) USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39) 270' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) [ edit] Main article: Famous-class cutter USCGC Thetis (WMEC-910), a Famous-class cutter USCGC Bear (WMEC-901) USCGC Tampa (WMEC-902) USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) USCGC Northland (WMEC-904) On Jan. 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender, collided with a tanker and sank near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Sort By. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. 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. A memorial inscribed with the names of the crewmembers that perished now stands two miles north of the accident site. At least one of the passing Capricorn and Blackthorn ships was too close to the center of the channel near the Sunshine Skyway bridge. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Coast Guard crewmembers, survivors, family members, and community members from around the Tampa Bay area commemorated the 38th anniversary of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn tragedy, Sunday, at Liberty Baptist Church in St. Petersburg. As a result of the impact, the port anchor of Capricornbecame imbedded in Blackthorn'sport side. Water began gushing into the Blackthorn. Ensign John Ryan had the conn. George was fresh out of basic training and the USCGC Blackthorn was his first assignment. So how does Richard Flores feel about seeing his son follow in William Flores footsteps? 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. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. Wartime: 1 3"/50 caliber single mount NAME: MEMBER STATUS LM denotes Life Member . General characteristics Although 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. USCG:"On 28 January 1980 at approximately 2021 e.s.t. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. 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. [1][2][3] He drowned about 15 feet away from me, remembered Jeff Huse, a survivor of the Blackthorn. 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. 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. Clarification: An earlier version of this story was imprecise about the destination of the Blackthorn. Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was . Mobile Layout This would be the worst. Complement: 48Armament: Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. Burial Details Unknown . Twenty-seven crew members working on Blackthorn were rescued during the incident, while 23 others died that day. The List of United States Coast Guard Cutters is a listing of all cutters to have been commissioned by the United States Coast Guard during the history of that service. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS [1] [2] [3] Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. She served in San Pedro for several years before being brought into the gulf coast region to serve in Mobile, Alabama then transferred to Galveston, Texas for the final years of her service until the accident. 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. 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. Each of them is forever a part of the Coast Guards legacy. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . The cutter eventually sank into the water. US Coast Guard photo. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of the . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 . 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. Looking for U.S. government information and services? She now sails with a crew of sixty students and six instructors. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. 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. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. His grandfather, Robert, and uncle, Sam, served in the Navy. The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crew members were rescued. In 19791980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. Flores statue is the first in the monument to resemble a particular person. 10 Tampa Bay 263K subscribers Subscribe 10 Share 822 views 1 year ago Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S. Letsgetstarted. The remarks as prepared can be found below. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a tragic collision near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge of Tampa Bay, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. Find your Shipmates on coastguard.togetherweserved.com. 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. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. Range: 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph) She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Currently, the Blackthorn is broken into two pieces and is a very popular dive and fishing site. Length: 180ft (55m) Displacement: 935 long tons (950t) On Jan. 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with . Just seconds after the slack in the anchor chain became taut, Blackthorn capsized. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The ceremony consisted of remarks by Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the 7th Coast Guard . 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