uscgc blackthorn crew list

But just west of the bridge’s twin spans at the mouth of Tampa Bay, the Blackthorn collided with the freighter Capricorn.. The crew patched it with rubber sheeting until they could get out of the ice, then with plywood, and limped into South America for steel repairs. Primary responsibility for the collision was placed on the Blackthorn's captain, Lt. Yesterday marked 34 years since the sinking of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn.Of Blackthorn’s 50 crewmembers, 23 lost their lives during the Coast Guard’s worst peacetime disaster. Non Profit Websites by Elevation. USCGC Bramble (WLB-392) is one of the 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944 for the United States Coast Guard. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Kodiak? On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she … Today, the Coast Guard marked the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn sinking. Moderate. I was 7 at the time. A memorial inscribed with the names of the crew members who perished now stands two miles north of the collision site at the Blackthorn Memorial Park in Saint Petersburg, Florida. OF CREW DECEASED U.S.C.G. 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. Remembering Blackthorn. When requested by Kazakhstan to pass, the Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan to pass. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. 0.5. Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. 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. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. 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. BLACKTHORN JANUARY 28, 1980 _____ Information taken from The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) sea going buoy tender (WLB). Blackthorn s preliminary design was completed… We are looking for the descendants of 84 USS TAMPA crewmembers. "After four minutes, it sank." On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. 1/13/1955 . 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. 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 (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. Yesterday marked 34 years since the sinking of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn.Of Blackthorn’s 50 crewmembers, 23 lost their lives during the Coast Guard’s worst peacetime disaster. The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crew. One of forty 180-foot buoy tenders built during World War II, Blackthorn (WLB-391) was commissioned on March 27, 1944.The principal job of a buoy tender is to service aids-to-navigation. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Soon after the loss of Blackthorn, the service made sweeping improvements to cutter policy, doctrine, training and standardization. The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crewmembers in the worst peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. Anyone remember Seattle? USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725) Crew has 422 members. Yesterday marked 32 years since the sinking of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn.Twenty-three of the Blackthorn’s 50 crewmembers lost their lives during 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. USCGC Bramble (WLB-392) is one of the 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944 for the United States Coast Guard. Crew of USCGC Blackthorn lost … USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391). Thank you so much for sharing your story. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Despite the Blackthorn's evasive action, a collision occurred. I was good friends with younger brother Larry . February 19, 1980 report from WTVT's Neil Vacino, Tampa/St. This January marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn sinking in Tampa Bay. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander G… The BLACKTHORN capsized and sank with 23 crew members trapped inside the cutter. The U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) being raised, July 1980 (USCG image) By William Thiesen 04-28-2019 03:53:52 mk2 richard d. boone. (Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other.). The Blackthorn then navigated to almost mid-channel and resumed course. This is a beautiful ship display commemorating the USCGC Blackthorn WLB-391. 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 … On this day in 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, sank after coliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Dallas. Just better. Snohomish. Iris Class 180 ft Seagoing Buoy Tender Keel Laid May 21 1943 - Launched July 20 1943; USCGC BLACKTHORN WAGL-391 Commissioned March 27 1944; USCGC BLACKTHORN WLB-391 Redesignated (WLB) 1965 Collided with tanker "CAPRICORN" on January 28 1990 and sank 23 Crewmembers perished and remain on duty in Disaster Memorials. [9], Sources cite both "Willy" and "Billy" as nicknames, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, "Skipper Pleads Fifth Amendment; Attorney Requests Immunity", "Getting his due Coast Guard hero receives honor posthumously", "New Coast Guard cutter bears name of Benbrook man who saved others", National Park Service Report on the 180-foot (55 m) buoy tenders, "U.S. Coast Guard Sea-going & Coastal Buoy Tenders, 1939-2000", Article about 20th Anniversary of the sinking, List of cutters of the United States Coast Guard, Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1980, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USCGC_Blackthorn_(WLB-391)&oldid=985004892, Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Prior to the Blackthorn accident, the Coast Guard had suffered the loss of the buoy tender White Alder in 1968, and Cutter Cuyahoga in 1978. Reconnect, share memories, pictures, etc. 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. Less that 30 crewmen were reported on deck at the time of the collision. 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. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the … Water began gushing into the Blackthorn. It was the Capricorn’s 13,500-pound anchor that sealed the Blackthorn’s fate. Although 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. The BUCKTHORN works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the most buoys of any unit in the Ninth District. ... Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Quite the same Wikipedia. 0.4. ... Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. ens frank j. sama. There was no back-up location provided on the invitation so I assume they are not expecting bad weather. I still think of him often. A memorial inscribed with the names of the crew members who perished now stands two … The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. He traded orders with another and a few weeks later became one of the 23 who perished on the Blackthorn. Left to Right: Jeff Huse, 67, a survivor of the sinking of the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Blackthorn on January 28, 1980, hugs Sam Flores. CWOA President speaks with Sea Service Family, Foundation on shutdown. It is considered the Coast Guard’s worst peacetime disaster. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On January 28, 1980, the Coast Guard buoy tender Blackthorn passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the black of night. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. 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. One of the best known dive sites around Tampa and St Petersburg is the United States Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn (U.S.C.G. Blackthorn s preliminary design was completed… It is considered the Coast Guard’s worst peacetime disaster. 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 Port Huron Museum hopes to sell the Bramble for $300,000. [7][8] On this day in 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, sank after coliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It tore into the cutter’s hull, then pulled the ship down. The USCG Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association (CWOA) is a not for profit organization. Forty years ago, 23 of these heroes lost their lives in the line of duty—but they have not, nor will they ever, pass from our memory. Survivor. et1 jerome f. ressler. When, what day is the Memorial for the CGC BLACKTHORN in 2020? The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB 391) was a convert|180|ft|m|0|sing=on sea going buoy tender (WLB). On January 28th, she got underway to return to Galveston. In 1979–1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. BILLY FLORES WAS MY NEIGHBOR IN BENBROOK TEXAS . Their sacrifice brought about significant changes to harbor entry navigational systems, wider shipping lanes and improvement in many other areas. 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. The school offers courses to prepare command-level officers and senior enlisted members for command duty afloat. BLACKTHORN JANUARY 28, 1980 _____ Information taken from The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) sea going buoy tender (WLB). The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crew. Just better. USCGC Campbell WPG32 Crew List. A memorial stands in… 13 Jan 1984. OF CREW DECEASED U.S.C.G. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. Twenty-seven others managed to escape. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. Your email address will not be published. mk1 danny r. maxcy. 1973-1974, SK, USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) Service Years 1970 - 1974 1974 Banks, Jerry, BM2 Rate BM-Boatswain's Mate Status USCG Veteran Primary Unit 1970-1974, BM, CG Station Grand Isle Service Years 1970 - 1974 1974 MORRISON, Ken, SN. with others from the Jarvis crew! Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the USCGC Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crew. Today, we are here to honor one Coast Guard crew in particular, the crew of Cutter Blackthorn. 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. I was an RM2 at her homeport of Mobile at the time and recall the message traffic well, and had friends on her." On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Petersburg. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. $20.00 + $4.99 shipping . [1][2][3] Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Serviceand the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. Dutch Harbor? 1980 Wire Photo Salvage Crew SS Capricorn USCG Blackthorn Shipwreck Tampa Bay FL. Ensign John Ryan had the conn. 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. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph), This page was last edited on 23 October 2020, at 11:35. ... 1980 Wire Photo Salvage Crew SS Capricorn USCG Blackthorn Shipwreck Tampa Bay FL. Damage to the Blackthorn from the initial impact was not extensive. However, on 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the completion of the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. 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. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. Photo is dated 1/28/80. We honor our fallen shipmates once a year in Florida at the USCGC Blackthorn Memorial. The Port Huron Museum hopes to sell the Bramble for $300,000. You are bidding on an original 8 X 10 Wire Photo of Survivor SS Capricorn & USCGC Blackthorn Ship Wreck Tampa FL. Struck submerged object. 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. Concurring with the marine board's determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized in his "Action" that the failure of the persons in charge of both vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the primary contributing cause. AGB-4 Crew Roster . The Blackthorn was salvaged for the investigation and was then taken out into the Gulf of Mexico and sunk as an artificial reef. 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. Bramble is currently a museum ship, part of Port Huron Museum, located in Port Huron, Michigan.She will be closed to the public effective August 14, 2011, owing to a lack of funds. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped inside the ship. His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Representing Active Duty, Reservist and Retired USCG CWO’s since 1929, On this day in 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, sank after coliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Moderate. Registration and communicating with shipmates at Hullnumber.com is FREE FOREVER. The Capricorn’s anchor line wrapped under the Blackthorn and as it tightened, the Blackthorn capsized. Posted by LT Stephanie Young, Wednesday, January 29, 2014. A memorial inscribed with the names of the crew members who perished now stands two … The Blackthorn collision provided the impetus for the establishment of the Command and Operations School at the Coast Guard Leadership Development Center in New London, Connecticut. 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. Posted by: DangerousDale. USCGC Blackthorn - St. Petersburg, FL. A memorial stands in… Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the bridge to investigate a problem with the newly installed propulsion shaft. Michael Ryan, my dad traded orders with someone and it saved his life. Dallas. Struck submerged object. Families of crew … Blackthorn). This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. 1.4. Blackthorn (2011) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942–1944. 12/5/1954 . Quite the same Wikipedia. Twenty-seven crew escaped the rapidly sinking ship, but 23 seamen lost their lives that night. In 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, collided with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, where 23 lives were lost of the 50 crew members. Additionally, the Coast Guard developed new training requirements, invested in more safety equipment and made changes to the navigational aids in and around Tampa Bay. Twenty-three of Blackthorn’s 50 crew members perished in the accident. As of 2012, the Los Angeles Institute is run by a Blackthorn and has been since as early as 1993. F/V DORIS GERTRUDE: Foundering off New England Coast with eleven crew members on board. HOUSTON - In this photo by the U.S. Coast Guard, members of SFO Galveston hold a service to memorialize the crew of the USCGC Blackthorn on the 29th … 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. The artwork depicts the USCGC Blackthorn WLB-391 in all her glory. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. 10/14/1954 The Cao Yu "aggressively" resisted but crew from Basswood and the USCGC Chase nevertheless boarded the Cao Yu on July 10 near the Japanese island of Kyushu and seized a 120-ton catch of mostly albacore tuna along with illegal driftnets. Remembering Blackthorn. 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. The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line. The BUCKTHORN works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the most buoys of any unit in the Ninth District. mk1 bruce lafond. © December 2020 Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association. On this day in 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, sank after coliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. "It tore a hole in the port side of the ship," he said. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Flores' brother, William Flores, helped save crew … In 1878, Rupert Blackthorn married Tatiana Lightwood. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. His actions saved a number of lives during the accident. Unable to make radio contact with Blackthorn, Capricorn's pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. Juneau? Hi Julie! Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. Left to Right: Jeff Huse, 67, a survivor of the sinking of the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Blackthorn on January 28, 1980, hugs Sam Flores. She was first homeported in Detroit, MI, then transferred to Buffalo, NY in 1967, and transferred once again to Sault Sainte Marie, MI in 1970. Required fields are marked *. crew of uscgc blackthorn lost in the line of duty january 28, 1980. cwo jack j. roberts. 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. "The Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn, homeported out of Galveston, Texas since 1976 was in a shipyard in Tampa, Florida for routine repairs during January of 1980. 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. This January marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn sinking in Tampa Bay. All but one of the original tenders, USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297), were built in Duluth. I was an RM2 at her homeport of Mobile at the time and recall the message traffic well, and had friends on her." Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. On board, chaos. February 19, 1980 report from WTVT's Neil Vacino, Tampa/St. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Last Entery This Page February 12, 2003. 13 Jan 1984. Earlier the cutter had been overtaken by the Kazakhstan, a Russian passenger ship. ANY INFORMATION APPRECEATED Snohomish. Flores' brother, William Flores, helped save crew … An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota.Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service … 1973-1974, SK, USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) Service Years 1970 - 1974 1974 Banks, Jerry, BM2 Rate BM-Boatswain's Mate Status USCG Veteran Primary Unit 1970-1974, BM, CG Station Grand Isle Service Years 1970 - 1974 1974 MORRISON, Ken, SN. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, but ultimately was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. CWOA Suncoast Chapter assists Sallie House. Family Members Reflect 40 Years After Deadly USCGC Blackthorn Collision By Adria Iraheta Pinellas County UPDATED 6:08 PM ET Jan. 28, 2020 PUBLISHED 5:46 … Despite Rupert's death, Tatiana was still taken in by the Blackthorns. Within ten minutes the Blackthorn had sunk in 40 feet of water. USCGC BUCKTHORN (WLI-642) History The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BUCKTHORN (WLI-642) was built by the Mobile Ship Repair, Inc. in Mobile, AL and was commissioned August 18, 1963. HullNumber.com's mission is to provide a means for shipmates to keep in touch with one another. [5][6] In 2000 he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism in peacetime. sa charles d. hall. USCGC Blackthorn memorial (Google Maps). in Disaster Memorials. This generation of Blackthorns has a little bit of faerie blood, particularly in Andre… The opinions expressed on this Web site are not to be construed as being official or reflecting the views of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The U.S. Coast Guard or officials thereof. At 7:21 p.m. Blackthorn and the Motor Tanker Capricorn collided under the Sunshine State Parkway Bridge. Westpac? An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Three weeks later, the ship was raised but the damage was too extensive for repairs. qm2 gary w. crumly. The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. More than just an artist conception of the ship, this display includes a custom designed Coast Guard crest plaque and an … USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) The U.S. Coast Guard held a memorial service Friday in remembrance of the 23 lives lost after the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collided with … The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crew. mkc luther o. stidham. Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. THE FLORES FAMILY WAS THE BEST NEIGHBORS TO HAVE . In 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn, a 180-foot buoy tender, collided with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, where 23 lives were lost of the 50 crew members. sa willilam r. flores. Though 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. M/V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS: Disappearance at sea with all persons on board. USCGC Blackthorn - St. Petersburg, FL. Crew member DAVID MARIK, 23, said a "stand by for collision" alarm sounded on the BLACKTHORN only five seconds before impact. The Blackthorn ceremony will be held at the Blackthorn Memorial (just off of Highway 275 S coming out of St. Petersburg) on the 28th of January at 11:00am. Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the USCGC Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. ss1 subrino avila. Capricorn began to turn left, but this course would not allow Capricorn and Blackthorn to pass port-to-port, as the rules of navigation generally required. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the … The Blackthorn sank, taking 23 crewmen with her. Families of crew … Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and attended Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. 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. The Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. Your email address will not be published. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Never Forgotten! With the Blackthorn's officer of the deck (Ensign Ryan) confused in regard to the standard operating procedure and rules of navigation, Blackthorn's captain issued orders for evasive action. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) The U.S. Coast Guard held a memorial service Friday in remembrance of the 23 lives lost after the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collided with … I’m afraid it may have been your friend Eddie as I don’t know if that was a regular thing to do. My dad grieved for them all for the remaining 23 years of his life. 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But just west of the Blackthorn then navigated to almost mid-channel and resumed course all her glory was the NEIGHBORS! Wpg32 crew List and more birth of their first child, Jesse, Rupert married... Now stands two … in 1878, Rupert was eaten by a demonic worm that was Benedict... Collision go to https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Blackthorn_ ( WLB-391 ) Foundation on shutdown in… the USCGC Blackthorn lost in the of. Of cutter Blackthorn on 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was built by Ironworks... Tenders, USCGC Ironwood ( WLB-297 ), were built in Duluth, Minnesota built between 1942–1944 ( CWOA is! To a land station after graduating EM school one Coast Guard marked the 40th anniversary the! Actors, actresses, directors, writers and more MISSED by all of THAN. Of US THAN KNEW HIM ’ above the water line killing 23 of her crew Cao Yu 's was...