Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 . Unable to make radio contact with Blackthorn, Capricorn's pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. Flores statue is the first in the monument to resemble a particular person. George was fresh out of basic training and the USCGC Blackthorn was his first assignment. 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 Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. Just seconds after the slack in the anchor chain became taut, Blackthorn capsized. [1][2][3] 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. [2] After less than ten minutes, the vessel was sunk, 23 of its crew of 50 lost. 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. [7][8] Tampa, Florida (FL), US. James Rovolis' brother George was among the crew who lost their lives in the tragedy. 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. He drowned about 15 feet away from me, remembered Jeff Huse, a survivor of the Blackthorn. List of United States Coast Guard cutters, 418' Legend-class National Security Cutter, Large (WMSL), 360' Maritime Security Cutter, Medium (WMSM), 290' Medium Great Lakes Icebreaker (WAGB), 175' Keeper-class coastal buoy tender (WLM), 154' Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (WPC), 133' White-class coastal buoy tender (WAGL/WLM), 87' Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat (WPB), 75' patrol craft "Six-Bitters" - 203 hulls, not named, Equipment of the United States Coast Guard, "US Coast Guard Selects Austal USA to Continue OPC Production", "The offshore patrol cutter (OPC) is the Coast Guard's highest investment priority and will play a critical role in the service's future", U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HORNBEAM, Cape May, Cape May County, NJ, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE SAGE, U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Base, 1 Thames Street, Bristol, Bristol County, RI, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE HEATH, USGS Integrated Support Command Boston, 427 Commercial Street, Boston, Suffolk County, MA, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHITE LUPINE, U.S. Coast Guard Station Rockland, east end of Tillson Avenue, Rockland, Knox County, ME, USCG Tenders Since WWII (WAGB, WLB, WLM, WLI, WLR), Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_United_States_Coast_Guard_cutters&oldid=1144714065, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 March 2023, at 05:09. The crew of USCGC JOHN SCHEURMAN continues the streak of excellence in the Arabian Sealeading yet another U.S. Coast Guard interdiction of illicit Liked by Fernando Gutierrez She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. It was a typical day at school. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. 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. 2 Westinghousegenerators Its still in service today. Blackthorn). 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. (No one on the Capricorn was harmed.). And even once the crews did spot one another, an inexperienced Blackthorn officer failed to properly communicate with the Capricorn. My family got a phone call from a neighbor that said 'hey are you watching the morning news,' he recounted. Find USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. The board determined that the cause of the collision was the failure of both vessels to keep well to the side of the channel which lay on each ship's starboard (right) sides. Ensign John Ryan had the conn. 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. Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn Cutter colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers. Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. USCGC William Flores is a Sentinel-class cutter scheduled to serve in Miami, Florida upon her commissioning. 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.[7]. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. practice will most likelv place in jeopardy not onlv the Coast Guard vessel and crew, hut also other vessels which the Coast Guard vessel might meet in the same waterway, such U.S. Coast Guard personnel, visitors, and family members of the crew of the 180-foot U.S. Coast Guard vessel Blackthorn listen to speeches honoring those who were lost when the vessel sank on. She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Letsgetstarted. LCDR George Sepel, the captain [] In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. If you served in USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Copyright Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO). 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. At 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. But I put it in Gods hands. After this loss of life, critical improvements were made to Service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Service today. The Alexander Hamilton was initially stationed in Oakland, California and performed patrols to the Bering Sea. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. The U.S.C.G. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Length: 180ft (55m) USCGC Ironwood (WAGL-297/WLB-297) was a Mesquite-class sea-going buoy tender operated by the United States Coast Guard. Class & type: Iris At least one of the passing Capricorn and Blackthorn ships was too close to the center of the channel near the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Beam: 37ft (11m) USCGC White Sumac (WLM-540) at anchor as Coast Guard and Navy divers assemble on the deck of the buoy tender to prepare to dive on the sunken cutter USCGC Blackthorn. 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. Official websites use .gov As a result of the collision, the BLACKTHORN was cpasized and sank, and 23 Coast Guardsmen were drowned. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. 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. 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. Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. 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. Hes going to come back a man, Richard Flores said. The collision occurred in the evening of 28 January 1980, near the junction of Mullet Key and Cut "A" Channels approximately three-quarters of a mile from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. The anchor of the CAPRICORN became snagged and embedded in the port side of the BLACKTHORN. On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. Private. Huse was just one of dozens of Coast Guardsmen and women who gathered Monday to celebrate Flores heroism and to honor the lives lost. Although refloated, the BLACKTHORN was a total loss. Families of crew members of the Coast Guard . To those who traveled to join usthank you for being here to honor the brave men lost forty years ago today. On January 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with a tanker in Tampa Bay, Florida.Seaman Apprentice William Flores, just eighteen years old and a year out of boot camp, stayed on board as the cutter sank, strapping the life jacket locker open with his belt, giving his own life jacket to those struggling in the water, and giving aid to those wounded on board. Water began gushing into the Blackthorn. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. Complement: 48Armament: As of July 2022: 5 cutters ordered; 10 more optioned; 25 cutters total in program of record[1][2], Cyclone-class patrol ships on loan from the United States Navy. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Wartime: 1 3"/50 caliber single mount Installed power: 2 Cooper-Bessemerdiesel engines [5][6] The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. She now sails with a crew of sixty students and six instructors. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. It is a privilege to be here with the survivors, families, friends and Coast Guard men and women at the 40th Anniversary of the tragic sinking of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn. Although some accounts of the disaster say Flores wore a life jacket himself, his body was found without one, his brother Sam Flores said. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. Though 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. [1][2][3] Its a surreal fact made stranger by Bobby and Billys striking resemblance. 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. 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 cutter eventually sank into the water. Gus Bilirakis writes letter in support of Tampa Bay Jan. 6 protester, Higher cancer rates found in military pilots, ground crews, Whats known about Ron DeSantis time in the Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Tampa producer and Blair Witch director are making movies about military, Retired MacDill airman admits holding classified documents at Tampa home, Veterans retreat is leaving Hillsborough over land dispute with county, US downs Chinese balloon over ocean, moves to recover debris, Florida veterans nursing homes grapple with staffing shortages, Largo sisters found military funeral flag in trash, honor soldier in home, On Pearl Harbor Day, Ybors founding family is honored for loss, Barred before, active-duty military can now file malpractice claims. 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. [9] In May 2021, Flores was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor for his actions on USCGC Blackthorn.[10]. 4 20 millimeter/80 caliber 1 May 1948 - 28 Jan 1980. Twenty-seven others managed to escape. Today we remember and honor his sacrifice and all the lives lost during this terrible accident. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. Twenty-three of the Blackthorn's 50 crewmembers lost their lives during the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. Burial Details Unknown . 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. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped in the skin of the ship. Range: 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph) 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. Sort By. 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. 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. Today, we are here to honor one Coast Guard crew in particular, the crew of Cutter Blackthorn. About 2021 E.S.T., on January 28, 1980, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter BLACKTHORN and the U.S. tankship CAPRICORN collided in Tampa Bay, Florida. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. No grave photo. Our Coast Guardsmen and women know this reality very well. She served in World War II, . 1989- USCGC Northwind decommissioned. A memorial inscribed with the names of the crewmembers that perished now stands two miles north of the accident site. The Blackthorn lost 23 of its 50 crew . 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! 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. On Jan. 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with . [1] [2] [3] An Iris -class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Frye, a Blackthorn crew member for just 12 days, was below deck on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980, when the . Despite the Blackthorn's evasive action, a collision occurred. This would be the worst. '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. 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. Mobile Layout The vessels hit almost head-on, with the Blackthorn running down the port side of the much larger tanker. References External links. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the ship's bridge to investigate a problem with the newly-installed propulsion shaft. Skip past search results. 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. From the official U.S. Coast Guard history on Blackthorn: "Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. The remarks as prepared can be found below. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. Like the rest of the service's aging fleet, Blackthorn underwent numerous overhauls during its. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the bridge to investigate a problem with the newly installed propulsion shaft. And, perhaps most poignantly, the number 18. 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. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and attended Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On January 28, 1980, the Coast Guard buoy tender Blackthorn passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the black of night. the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackthornand the U.S. tankship Capricorncollided in Tampa Bay near the junction of Cut 'A' and Mullet Key Channels. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. Although 27 crewmen . However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. 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