USCGC Acushnet

213-foot USCG Medium Endurance Cutter

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History

Constructed at the Basalt Rock Company yard in Napa, CA. The Cutter Acushnet began life as the Diver-class salvage ship USS Shackle (ARS-9.) Her keel was laid down in October of 1942 and later launched in April 1943. Commissioned in February, 1944, the Shackle served in the PTO (Pacific Theater of Operations) during WWII, conducting numerous diving and salvage assignments at Midway, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Wake. The USS Shackle earned three Battle Stars for her campaign participation in the PTO.

Following the war, the Shackle was decommissioned in June of 1946, stricken from the Naval Register, and transferred to the Coast Guard. Commissioned as the Acushnet and designated an ocean going tug (WAT-167) the Acushnet would serve as a search and rescue vessel in the Atlantic Ocean through July 1968. In July of 1968 the Acushnet was again redesignated, this time as an oceanographic research vessel (WAGO-176) and transferred from Portland, ME. To San Diego, CA. to work with the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. In 1977 Acushnet was transferred again, this time to Gulfport, MS. to support the National Data Buoy Center.

In 1979 the Acushnet was redesignated as a medium endurance cutter (WMEC-167) where it performed maritime law and fisheries enforcement, as well as search and rescue duties in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 1990 the Acushnet was transferred back to the Pacific Ocean and homeported in Eureka, CA. where it continued its service as a medium endurance cutter until transferred for a fifth time to its current homeport in Ketchikan, AK. in 1998.

With the retirement and decommissioning of the USCGC Storis, the Aushnet has been designated as the "Queen of the Fleet," a title reserved for the oldest cutter in active service. In recognition of her unique status, the Acushnet's hull numbers will be painted in gold, rather than standard black, paint.

Description

General Characteristics:
The Acushnet is 213 feet long, has a beam of 39 feet, and draw 15 feet of water. Her displacement is 1,557 tons at full load and her compliment is 7 officers and 68 enlisted. The Acushnet has a top speed of 15 knots, and a cruising speed of 10 knots. Her operational range at top speed is 9,000 miles while her maximum cruising range is 13,700 miles. The Acushnet is not flight operations capable.

Propulsion:
The Acushnet is powered by four Fairbanks-Morse diesels, producing 3,000 horsepower combined. Propulsion is provided by two shafts. One interesting feature regarding the Acushnet's machinery is that despite numerous upgrades to the ships electronics, bridge controls, and ship's machinery, engine commands are still delivered from the pilothouse via a manual order telegraph system.

Electronics:
In addition to UHF/VHF communications, the Acushnet with twin SPS-64 short-range I-band surface search and navigation radars.

Armament:
The Acushnet is armed with a four M2 .50 caliber machineguns.