Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. George was fresh out of basic training and the USCGC Blackthorn was his first assignment. But I put it in Gods hands. 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. As our nations Coast Guard, you courageously head out on dark and stormy nights so that others may live. A Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among 114 lieutenant commanders . Today we remember and honor his sacrifice and all the lives lost during this terrible accident. He allowed even more jackets to float to escaping crew members by propping open a locker door with his own belt. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. Currently, the Blackthorn is broken into two pieces and is a very popular dive and fishing site. 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. Blackthorn sunk at the mouth of Tampa Bay, 28 January 1980. 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 180'x37'x12' with a maximum cruising speed of 13 knots powered by a single screw. Burial Details Unknown . A 501c3 nonprofit supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all ranks in the U.S. Sea Services! According to reports, Blackthorn had just completed. Like the rest of the service's aging fleet, Blackthorn underwent numerous overhauls during its. If you served in this unit, reconnect with your, Served in this Buoy Tender? Displacement: 935 long tons (950t)
[9] In May 2021, Flores was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor for his actions on USCGC Blackthorn.[10]. Momentum from the two vessels caused the Capricorn's port anchor chain to be stretched, capsizing Blackthorn. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. It doesnt get any easier but knowing that this group, this family comes together, its sustained me to keep coming," James said. The vessels hit almost head-on, with the Blackthorn running down the port side of the much larger tanker. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . 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. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? The board determined that the cause of the casualty was the failure of both vessels to keep well to that side of the channel which lay on their starboard (right) side. (Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other.). [1][2][3] 27 crew members survived. 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. @ 27.648589, -82.676007. 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. This would be the worst. Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. 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. 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. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). 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. 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. We cherish and honor the spirit, sacrifice and service of the Blackthorn crew. The U.S. Coast Guard held a. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive however, Capricorns anchor was ready for letting go. 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. 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. Each of them is forever a part of the Coast Guards legacy. The Alexander Hamilton was initially stationed in Oakland, California and performed patrols to the Bering Sea. Peacetime: None. 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. With the officer of the deck confused in regard to the standard operating procedure, Blackthorn's captain issued orders for evasive action. Perhaps he gave his own life preserver to a colleague in need. On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Lodge Member Tom Allor represented Detroit Lodge No. USCGC William Flores is a Sentinel-class cutter scheduled to serve in Miami, Florida upon her commissioning. 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. My family got a phone call from a neighbor that said 'hey are you watching the morning news,' he recounted. The. Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180 buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. Thirty years ago tonight, having just completed a 3 month overhaul, the Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay. USCGC Blackthorn being raised, in July 1980. USCGC Blackthorn memorial. Mobile Layout The brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman . In fact, he is the epitome of the motto Semper Paratus, and I am proud to serve our Nation with him. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! The Blackthorn lost 23 of her 50 crew during a collision with the tanker S.S. Capricorn . The sea, while often characterized as mysterious and majestic, can be just as dark and treacherous under any circumstances. 2 mousetrap launchers (1944). Their commitment and dedication, we will never forget," Keynote speaker VADM Steven D. Poulin said. In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida and upon completion was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of January 28, 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. Built at the New York Navy Yard, this twin-screw, geared-steam-turbine-propelled cutter was commissioned in March 1937. Ironwood participated in the Fleet Week celebrations in Portland, Oregon in 2017. 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 port anchor of Capricorn was then reportedly lodged into Blackthorn's port side as a result of the collision. List of United States Coast Guard cutters; References. 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. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. (LockA locked padlock) She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. 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. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. USCGC Blackthorn collision: What exactly happened 42 years ago? This mission is absolutely critical to facilitating commerce safely. Letsgetstarted. 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. Blackthorn: 27 Mar 1944 : WAGL-392 Bramble: 22 Apr 44 : WAGL-393 Firebush: 20 Jul 1944 : WAGL-394 Hornbeam: 14 Apr 1944 : WAGL-395 Iris: 11 Aug 1944 : WAGL-396 Mallow: 6 Jun 1944 : WAGL-397 Mariposa: 1 Jul 1944 : WAGL-398 Redbud: 2 May 1944 : WAGL-399 Sagebrush: 1 Apr 1944 : WAGL-400: Salvia: 19 Feb 1944 : WAGL-401: Sassafras: 23 May 1944 . USCGC Blue Shark (WPB-87360) is an 87-foot (27 m) . [1] [2] [3] An Iris -class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. 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. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. Every day, the members of DHS face inherent risk in their missions. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. 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. The 935 ton USCGC Blackthorn was built in 1943 at a cost of $876,403. Then, the 180-foot cutter sucked Flores into the depths of Tampa Bay. His actions saved a number of lives during the accident. 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. A freak set of circumstances led to catastrophe on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the ship's bridge to investigate a problem with the newly-installed propulsion shaft. He doesnt remember hearing very much about Uncle Billy growing up, even though his family hung a picture of him on the wall. 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). 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. 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. Earlier they had been overtaken by the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan, Blackthorn pulled to the side to allow her to pass, when requested, and then continued almost in mid-channel. 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. So how does Richard Flores feel about seeing his son follow in William Flores footsteps? [7][8] 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. And, perhaps most poignantly, the number 18. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). On Jan. 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with . 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. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. As local politicians and members of Flores family looked on, Brighter Future Florida, a local nonprofit founded by former Congressman David Jolly, unveiled a concrete statue of Flores for its Circle of Heroes underwater monument off the coast of Clearwater. Families of crew members of the Coast Guard . Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. What also echoes across the Service is the importance of the mission that the Cutter Blackthorn crew performed: aides to Navigation. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. 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. But George's life was cut short on Jan. 28, 1980 when the USCGC Blackthorn collided with a tanker and sank in the mouth of Tampa Bay. 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. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. I was 9 years old. 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. Bruce Lafond was drowned when the Blackthorn capsized. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. Coast Guardsmen and women today are still performing this vital mission here in the Port of Tampa. Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. External links. 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. 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