Bort
06-06-06, 01:46 AM
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
CHEBOYGAN, Mich. – On June 10, 2006, the distinguished career of the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaker, USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB 83) will come to an end in a ceremony also marking the commissioning of the vessel which will carry on her namesake and legacy, USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30). The decommissioning/commissioning ceremony will be held on June 10, 2006 at 1 pm EST at the Coast Guard Olds Memorial Moorings in Cheboygan.
“As I remember it, it was cold, snowy at times, and wind from the northeast which had blown the water back up the Maumee River high enough to flood the dry docks.” This is an excerpt from a letter written by Minerva Halbert, then Minerva Youngs, who was at the launching of the MACKINAW. She was one of eight women welders who helped build the USCG Cutter MACKINAW (WAGB-83). That was 62 years ago; MACKINAW was later commissioned on December 20, 1944 for the sole purpose of keeping the shipping lanes open during the ice season.
During her first winter of service MACKINAW made 17 passes through the Straits of Mackinac and escorted eight combat vessels. If not for the MACKINAW the vessels would have been ice bound until spring. Over MACKINAW’s 62-year career, she has accumulated many stories. In 1948, she assisted 12 ice-locked ships in Buffalo, N.Y. In 1965, MACKINAW assisted after the collision between the U.S. CEDARVILLE and the NORWEGIAN TOPDALSFJORD by receiving both survivors and casualties. In 1984, MACKINAW played a major role during the St. Clair River Ice Jam by directly assisting 13 vessels stuck in the ice and helping to open a passage for 75 other freighters and ore carriers that awaited at both ends of the river.
This is how it has been year in and year out between December and April, MACKINAW broke ice to maintain the flow of commerce through shipping channels of the Great Lakes and connecting rivers. She lived her motto “We move ships when no one else can” During the non-ice breaking season MACKINAW’s missions included search and rescue, aids to navigation, law enforcement, and public relations.
MACKINAW (WLBB-30) will not only carry on the traditions and missions of WAGB-83, but will also be responsible for maintaining some of the aids to navigation of USCGC ACACIA, a 180-foot buoy tender that is also being decommissioned in June 2006. Built in 1944, ACACIA has also served the Great Lakes well in her distinguished career.
MACKINAW (WLBB-30) is a one of a kind 240-foot icebreaker and buoy tender, built at Marinette Marine Corporation, in Marinette, WI. She was launched on April 2, 2005, and the Coast Guard took possession of the ship on November 17, 2005. Subsequently, the new cutter has undergone rigorous operational testing, training and area familiarization patrols. The command and crew of MACKINAW (WLBB-30) are eager to continue the proud legacy of Great Lakes icebreaking, upholding her motto, “Forging a Path with Strength and Honor.”
-US Coast Guard
So sad to see the old workhorse go! Wish I could be there to see it but I'll be out of the country that day. At least the name and spirit will live on, heres to many great years ahead for the new Mac! :()1:
USCGC Mackinaw WAGB-83
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures01/mackinaw-wht-jh-pg.jpg
USCGC Mackinaw WLBB-30
http://www.baymills.org/newspaper/2005/12-29/122905-featured-cutter1.jpg
CHEBOYGAN, Mich. – On June 10, 2006, the distinguished career of the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaker, USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB 83) will come to an end in a ceremony also marking the commissioning of the vessel which will carry on her namesake and legacy, USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30). The decommissioning/commissioning ceremony will be held on June 10, 2006 at 1 pm EST at the Coast Guard Olds Memorial Moorings in Cheboygan.
“As I remember it, it was cold, snowy at times, and wind from the northeast which had blown the water back up the Maumee River high enough to flood the dry docks.” This is an excerpt from a letter written by Minerva Halbert, then Minerva Youngs, who was at the launching of the MACKINAW. She was one of eight women welders who helped build the USCG Cutter MACKINAW (WAGB-83). That was 62 years ago; MACKINAW was later commissioned on December 20, 1944 for the sole purpose of keeping the shipping lanes open during the ice season.
During her first winter of service MACKINAW made 17 passes through the Straits of Mackinac and escorted eight combat vessels. If not for the MACKINAW the vessels would have been ice bound until spring. Over MACKINAW’s 62-year career, she has accumulated many stories. In 1948, she assisted 12 ice-locked ships in Buffalo, N.Y. In 1965, MACKINAW assisted after the collision between the U.S. CEDARVILLE and the NORWEGIAN TOPDALSFJORD by receiving both survivors and casualties. In 1984, MACKINAW played a major role during the St. Clair River Ice Jam by directly assisting 13 vessels stuck in the ice and helping to open a passage for 75 other freighters and ore carriers that awaited at both ends of the river.
This is how it has been year in and year out between December and April, MACKINAW broke ice to maintain the flow of commerce through shipping channels of the Great Lakes and connecting rivers. She lived her motto “We move ships when no one else can” During the non-ice breaking season MACKINAW’s missions included search and rescue, aids to navigation, law enforcement, and public relations.
MACKINAW (WLBB-30) will not only carry on the traditions and missions of WAGB-83, but will also be responsible for maintaining some of the aids to navigation of USCGC ACACIA, a 180-foot buoy tender that is also being decommissioned in June 2006. Built in 1944, ACACIA has also served the Great Lakes well in her distinguished career.
MACKINAW (WLBB-30) is a one of a kind 240-foot icebreaker and buoy tender, built at Marinette Marine Corporation, in Marinette, WI. She was launched on April 2, 2005, and the Coast Guard took possession of the ship on November 17, 2005. Subsequently, the new cutter has undergone rigorous operational testing, training and area familiarization patrols. The command and crew of MACKINAW (WLBB-30) are eager to continue the proud legacy of Great Lakes icebreaking, upholding her motto, “Forging a Path with Strength and Honor.”
-US Coast Guard
So sad to see the old workhorse go! Wish I could be there to see it but I'll be out of the country that day. At least the name and spirit will live on, heres to many great years ahead for the new Mac! :()1:
USCGC Mackinaw WAGB-83
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures01/mackinaw-wht-jh-pg.jpg
USCGC Mackinaw WLBB-30
http://www.baymills.org/newspaper/2005/12-29/122905-featured-cutter1.jpg