Coast Guardsmen and women today are still performing this vital mission here in the Port of Tampa. The. Hes going to take care of him.. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. In 2000, the service heeded Clutters calls, awarding William Flores posthumously with the Coast Guard Medal, the forces highest peacetime service award. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. PO1 Subrino I Avila Flowers have been left. Water began gushing into the Blackthorn. 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. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. After this tragedy, the Coast Guard made critical improvements to service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Department today. 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. 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. For years after the accident, Clutter pushed for the Coast Guard to honor Flores. 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. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Letsgetstarted. 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. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). Ensign John Ryan had the conn. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Although refloated, the BLACKTHORN was a total loss. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1980, 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", "Mexican American hero of WWI up for Texas' highest military honor", National Park Service Report on the 180-foot (55m) buoy tenders, "U.S. Coast Guard Sea-going & Coastal Buoy Tenders, 1939-2000", Article about 20th Anniversary of the sinking, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BLACKTHORN, Galveston, Galveston County, TX, List of cutters of the United States Coast Guard, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USCGC_Blackthorn&oldid=1149906296, Historic American Engineering Record in Texas, Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The U.S. Coast Guard held a service Friday to honor the lives lost at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg. While the Port of Tampa Bay has always been a valuable port, it is different than it was 40 years ago. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Primary responsibility for the collision was placed on the Blackthorn's captain, Lt. Flores statue is the first in the monument to resemble a particular person. As our nations Coast Guard, you secure our ports and waterways, interdict drug smugglers, lead search and rescue missions, and respond to national emergencies. 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. Every year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost in the collision. Vote 1 comment Best Add a Comment Currently, the Blackthorn is broken into two pieces and is a very popular dive and fishing site. List of United States Coast Guard cutters; References. For now, the number is 13. . Huse was just one of dozens of Coast Guardsmen and women who gathered Monday to celebrate Flores heroism and to honor the lives lost. With the officer of the deck confused in regard to the standard operating procedure, Blackthorns Captain issued orders for evasive action. 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. [7][8] Despite the Blackthorn's evasive action, a collision occurred. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180 buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. As our nations Coast Guard, you courageously head out on dark and stormy nights so that others may live. Their commitment and dedication, we will never forget," Keynote speaker VADM Steven D. Poulin said. One of 40 180-foot buoy tenders built during World War II, Blackthorn was commissioned in 1944. But just west of the bridge's twin spans at the mouth of Tampa Bay, the Blackthorn collided with the freighter Capricorn.. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crew members were rescued. Thats how old Seaman Apprentice William Flores was when he heroically went down with his ship. To those who traveled to join usthank you for being here to honor the brave men lost forty years ago today. Unable to make radio contact with the tender, Capricorns pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. Thirty years ago tonight, having just completed a 3 month overhaul, the Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay. Today we remember and honor his sacrifice and all the lives lost during this terrible accident. Thursday marked the 41st anniversary of the Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of . A Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among 114 lieutenant commanders . The Blackthorn sank, taking 23 crewmen with her. All of that is according to two government reports. 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. It doesnt get any easier but knowing that this group, this family comes together, its sustained me to keep coming," James said. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. 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. Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was . Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. What: Coast Guard commemorates 40th anniversary of Blackthorn Tragedy, Location: Blackthorn Memorial Site FL-55, the southbound Pinellas County side of the Sunshine Skyway rest area, St. Petersburg, Florida 33752. 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. SA Flores paid the ultimate price after locating the life jacket locker, ensuring all survivors in the water received a life jacket, and staying with the sinking ship determined to save the lives of his shipmates trapped in the sinking hull. 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. Uncle Billy served in the Coast Guard. Blackthorn, Axe: Bullock, John: 12/3/17: Tamaroa: 86-91: Burton, Darrell: 9/10/18: Ojibwa : Byer, Howard: 3-26-18: Ojibwa: 75 . The Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tanker Capricorn on Jan. 28, 1980, in the biggest peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. 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. The item Marine casualty report : USCGC Blackthorn, SS Capricorn, collision in Tampa Bay on 28 January 1980 with loss of life, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation report and commandant's action represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Indiana State Library. 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. Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. He was one of the 23 crew members killed in the tragedy. Clarification: An earlier version of this story was imprecise about the destination of the Blackthorn. [1][2][3] An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 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. or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. Melville USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). 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 . Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. A memorial ceremony honoring the lives lost . His actions saved a number of lives during the accident. 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 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. We cherish and honor the spirit, sacrifice and service of the Blackthorn crew. However, on 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the completion of the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Cemetery Visibility: Public. If you served in USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. 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. So how does Richard Flores feel about seeing his son follow in William Flores footsteps? 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. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. [2] 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. And even once the crews did spot one another, an inexperienced Blackthorn officer failed to properly communicate with the Capricorn. On board, chaos. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph), This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 05:34. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. 27 crew members survived. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. The U.S. Coast Guard held a. 7 and the Propeller Club - Port of Detroit at a memorial service held on the 30th Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn disaster. 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. Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. [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 World War II, . She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Example video title will go here for this video. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . Forty years ago, 23 of these heroes lost their lives in the line of dutybut they have not, nor will they ever, pass from our memory. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. We remember and we honor the crew of Cutter Blackthorn; both those surviving and those lost. 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. Our Coast Guardsmen and women know this reality very well. USCG:"On 28 January 1980 at approximately 2021 e.s.t. The anchor became embedded in the tenders hull and ripped open the port side. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). Twenty-three Blackthorn crew members were killed in the accident, the worst peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. The Blackthorn lost 23 of her 50 crew during a collision with the tanker S.S. Capricorn . The Blackthorn collision provided the impetus for the establishment of the . His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. As a result of the collision, the BLACKTHORN was cpasized and sank, and 23 Coast Guardsmen were drowned. 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. The ceremony consisted of remarks by Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the 7th Coast Guard . The sea, while often characterized as mysterious and majestic, can be just as dark and treacherous under any circumstances. Blackthorn sunk at the mouth of Tampa Bay, 28 January 1980. The cutter eventually sank into the water. The Alexander Hamilton was initially stationed in Oakland, California and performed patrols to the Bering Sea. USCGC Blue Shark (WPB-87360) is an 87-foot (27 m) . 1989- USCGC Northwind decommissioned. 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. 11 memorials. He drowned about 15 feet away from me, remembered Jeff Huse, a survivor of the Blackthorn. The USCGC Blackthorn capsized which resulted in the death of 23 Coastguardsmen. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive. 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. Thats how many years its been since the Coast Guard suffered the worst peacetime tragedy in its history. Find USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. The Blackthorn then navigated to almost mid-channel and resumed course. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. [5][6] In 2000 he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism in peacetime. Richard Flores, one year older than Billy, has seen his son Bobby, a high school senior in Texas, grow older than his heroic brother. Citizenship And Immigration Services Ombudsman, This page was not helpful because the content, Acting Secretary Wolf Commemorates USCG Blackthorn Memorial. The U.S.C.G. This mission is absolutely critical to facilitating commerce safely. '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. -Copyright (C) 2003-2011 TogetherWeServed - External links. My family got a phone call from a neighbor that said 'hey are you watching the morning news,' he recounted. 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.\r\rThe U.S. Coast Guard held a service Friday to honor the lives lost at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg.\r\rAt approximately 8:21 p.m. on Jan. 28, 1980, USCGC Blackthorn collided with the U.S. tankship Capricorn in Tampa Bay waters near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Coast Guard explains.\r\rThe port anchor of Capricorn was then reportedly lodged into Blackthorn's port side as a result of the collision.\r\rMomentum from the two vessels caused the Capricorn's port anchor chain to be stretched, capsizing Blackthorn. The cutter eventually sank into the water.\r\rTwenty-seven crew members working on Blackthorn were rescued during the incident, while 23 others died that day.\r\rEvery year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost after the collision in Tampa Bay. 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