The conversion to AGCs consisted of the removal of most of their heavy armament, the addition of more anti-aircraft weaponry, and the construction of enclosed rooms for the addition of 35 radio receivers and 25 radio transmitters. Well done.". There she served as the flagship for Commander, Mine Craft, Pacific Fleet. These operations called for off-shore patrols of up to three weeks. If you have specific questions, please contact our Chief of Operational Medicine, CAPT Jerry Taylor at (202) 475-5211 or Gerald.N.Taylor@uscg.mil. On the 28 May 37 ships detached for Hampton Roads. He left office on 4 March 1845 when President James K. Polk was inaugurated, but stayed in the national capital practicing law until he died there on 14 April 1859.=====================================================================. On the next day she departed the convoy in company with Schenck and arrived at Hvalfjordur that evening, proceeding to Reykjavik next day. Another Val, taken under fire by naval units, westward of Geruma Shim was brought down. One merchant vessel detached for the Azores. The plane had just flown over Tokashika Shima and was approaching the southern anchorage near Bibb. Many of Bibb's crewmen leapt into the water to assist the nearly frozen survivors, and the cutter Ingham assisted. The smoke hung low, never rising above 100 feet, the wind was steady and moderate and from a most favorable position dead ahead of the convoy. Shortly afterwards an American airplane, which had been patrolling over the main convoy reported two submarines each 24 miles distant on different bearings. Fortunately Bibb was able to pull all 21 survivors and Coast Guardsmen on board the surfboat and in the raft to safety, leaving 22 on board the Queen. The Treasury class cutters proved to be highly dependable, versatile and long-lived warships--most served their country for over 40 years. Their primary task was to report meteorological information, which was used in weather forecasts for the burgeoning trans-Atlantic commercial air traffic as well as for surface vessels. I hope I never see another drowned man as long as I live.". An hour later a Netherlands war vessel joined the task force as an anti-aircraft ship. On the 21st Portent stood by to cover one of the convoy vessels that had steering trouble. A few minutes later another raft was sighted dead ahead and two survivors of SS Bonneville were taken aboard. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1987, "USCG: Flag/SES Bios - Commander Coast Guard Atlantic Area", List of cutters of the United States Coast Guard, Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, Bullhead Point Historical and Archeological District, Maritime Heritage Trail Battle of Saipan, List of shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USCGC_Bibb&oldid=1131140070, Ships built in Charleston, South Carolina, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sunk as an artificial reef off the Florida Keys on 28 November 1987, 2 x Westinghouse double-reduction geared turbines; 2 x Babcock & Wilcox sectional express, air-encased, 400 psi, 200 superheat 5,250 (total shaft horse power), 1937: 12 officers, 4 warrants, 107 enlisted, 1941: 16 officers, 5 warrants, 202 enlisted. With the decrease in the threat by U-boats by 1944 and the increase in the number of available Allied escort vessels, the Navy determined that the 327s would better serve the national security needs of the nation as command and control vessels [known as AGCs] for amphibious landings. It had one 6 cylinder Ruston Stafford 6 CSRKM 4 Stoke diesel engine with a single shaft and one screw. The Iceland Unit, consisting of seven ships, detached from the main convoy at 1900. During these missions she fired 2,760 rounds from her 5"/38 main battery, destroying 30 structures, 11 sampans, and four bunkers, while damaging 145 structures, 11 sampans and four bunkers--killing three and wounding 30 of the enemy. She anchored in Palermo outer harbor, moving next morning to the breakwater. It was a combination ocean station patrol and search and rescue operation that brought Bibb and her crew international recognition when, while operating on Ocean Station Charlie on 14 October 1947, the transoceanic airliner Bermuda Sky Queen was forced to make a landing during a gale with high winds and in rough seas when the flying boat ran low on fuel. On 14 April she departed for Guam where she arrived on the 15th and on the 19th rendezvoused with USS Aaron Ward (DD-132) which acted as her escort to Okinawa. The Bibb also visited many foreign ports on her deployment, many of which she had sailed into during World War II. The USS Johnson (DE-683) detached temporarily from the task force on the same day and proceeded to Bermuda for repairs, rejoining on the 6th. The barometer dropped and the winds rose with a number five sea. On the 13th Task Group 21.13 joined, departing the next day. On 14 June 1945 Bibb stood out of Kerama Retto, in company with two other Navy vessels, and escorted by three destroyers, to ride out a reported storm at sea. Bibb is credited with destroying one Japanese kamikaze aircraft in action at Karema Retto. Additional star shells were fired an hour later, indicating another torpedoing. On 25 November 1942, Bibb stood out of Reykjavik Harbor to screen in the van of west bound convoy ONS-148 consisting of eight ships. On the 11th she anchored in Buckner Bay and acted as flagship for Task Group 52.9 until 1 December 1945, when she departed for the United States. The Tony crash dived into the stern of the USS St. George (AV-16) causing only superficial damage. Books and Government Publications. In 1981 Bibb conducted a six-week patrol that included two training stops and several rescues. While on ocean station, the Bibb came to the rescue of the airliner, the Bermuda Sky Queen. If you served in USCGC Bibb (WPG-31/WHEC-31), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. The passage across the Atlantic continued without incident. In the words of one naval historian, John M. Waters, Jr., they were truly their nation's "maritime workhorses." Those who did not make it into a life raft died from hypothermia. On 14 December two British escort vessels departed with some of the ships of the convoy for St. John's, Newfoundland. An hour later there were numerous red flares and shortly afterwards a lifeboat and raft ware sighted. The cutters. After more than a decade of comparative retirement from the national scene, Bibb returned to the United States Senate in 1828 as a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson. Bibbwas named for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (July 4, 1844 - March 7, 1845) George M. Bibb. The final 327-foot design was based on the Erie-class Navy gunboats; the machinery plant and hull below the waterline were identical. The Bibb located Collis P. Huntington and led her safely to anchorage at Reykjavik. Using that raft as a bridge between the flying boat and the motor surf boat, the Coast Guardsmen managed to save 28 persons in three trips and get them back to Bibb. CG-71) was built at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina, and was launched in 1937. She arrived at San Juan on 7 January 1944 and departed on the 8th for Guantanamo Bay where she arrived on the 9th. Electronics:HF/DF: (1943)Radar: (1945) SK, SG-1; (1966) AN/SPS-29D, AN/SPA-52.Fire Control Radar: (1945) Mk-26; (1966) Mk-26 MOD 4Sonar: (1945) QC series; (1966) SQS-11. USCGC SPENCER (WMEC 905) Commanding Officer, CDR Corey M. Kerns. Vessels joined the convoy at Gibraltar on the 10th. On 2 October all ships were inside Grotta Point, Iceland, maneuvering for anchorages. >27,500 (10 days for 50 man crew using 50 gpd : Maximum Range: 4,000 NM @ 12 kts 9,000 NM @ 9 kts : Stopping Distance < 1,000 feet : Circumnavigate Beset 1000' Vessel in Heavy Ice (32" solid level) Yes - within 12 minutes : Sewage Treatment, Trash, & Hazmat Storage : Hold for 10 days (based on 50 person crew) All grey water, all black water . On the 13th Task Group 21.13 joined, departing the next day. On the 25th a plane reported sighting a submarine diving 14 miles from the convoy and the Bibb increased speed to search the area. If a type of glove had been incorporated in the suit instead of the tight fitting wrist bands, this edema, it is believed, would not have occurred. Other duties besides conducting weather patrols included search and rescue standby and other patrols for the First Coast Guard District, making reserve training cruises, and occasional search and rescue details at Bermuda and Argentia. She had a sound contact at 900 yards and dropped a full pattern with negative results. .Built for only $2.5 million each, in terms of cost effectiveness we may never see the likes of these cutters again.". The next day she sighted the bow of the tanker and left it in sinking condition also. This standardization saved moneyalways paramount in the Coast Guards considerationsand the cutters were built in U.S. Navy shipbuilding yards. CG-71) was built at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina, and was launched in 1937. During November 1944 through 29 January 1945, When an enemy aircraft was sighted coming in from the northwest on 28 April 1945, The plane disappeared in a smoke screen. Armament:1936:3 x 5/51 (single); 2 x 6-pounders. Ordered to Boston Navy Yard for repairs, she searched en route for a Coast Guard plane reported down in the vicinity of White Island. Seven similar "combat cutters" were built and named for secretaries of the United States Treasury. The Bibb was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her participation in "Operation Sea Lords" from October to December 1968. Description [ edit] MV Hephaestus was a steel -built tanker with a tonnage of 595 GRT. Each of our products is invested with brains and time to create by the best designers, as well as a dedicated team of ideas. It was a clear night with a bright, full moon which made visibility very good. Just as the plane entered its steep glide, preparing to crash dive, two of Bibb's guns picked up the target and began firing. From October 1973 until she was decommissioned, Bibb was stationed at New Bedford. The contact was not regained after the last attack. Various vessels near the path of the plane opened fire. On the 30th, two merchant ships detached and 10 joined from Algiers. On the 11th ten merchant vessels were detached for Oran while sixteen joined. After she returned to service, The following year brought a number of notable seizures for drug and fisheries charges. Many of them were suffering from exposure and edema, but after treatment almost all recovered. On 9 May, 1943 Bibb proceeded to New York and anchored in Sandy Hook Bay on the 13th in company with Task Force 66 consisting of Bibb, as flagship, Ingham and seven Navy destroyers. Bibb, under the command of CAPT Paul D. Cronk, had picked up an aircraft on radar heading west at 0232 (GCT) on 14 October 1947. She began the year 1971 by serving on Ocean Station Bravo, where she served from 3 to 26 of January. The attack took place at 36 23' N x 00 26.5' E. No planes came within range of Bibb during the entire action. Anderson, USCG, as commanding officer of, On 4 July 1944 there were detachments from the convoy for Horta, Azores and for Casablanca on the 9th and 11th. After she returned to service, Bibb undertook a cadet cruise to Bermuda and then to Europe. The Bibb returned on the 21st and proceeded to Buckner Bay, where she remained at anchor during the balance of July. She remained underway except for three days, until 11 October, carrying out typhoon plan X-RAY. On the 15th a destroyer escort fired across the bow of a fishing boat to keep it clear of the convoy after the fisherman had refused to follow orders. ; 1 x 1-pounder. Another merchant vessel from Casablanca joined the convoy. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Winnebago (WHEC-40) had the Agenor's 17 crewmen on board. ; 1 x 1-pounder.1941: 1 x 5/51 (single mount); 3 x 3/50 (single mounts);2 (?) The Bibb undergoes conversion for combat as an anti-submarine warship and convoy escort in October, 1941. Bibb was then directed to coordinate the search efforts for the missing sailing vessel Patriot with six crewmen aboard. Escorted by USS Barry (APD-29) Bibb departed Norfolk on the 15th of February and arrived at Panama on the 22nd. On the 9th the Casablanca section, escorted by two destroyers, joined the main convoy. Then it was on to Guantanamo Bay for more intensive training with the Navy. The ship 327' and is laying on its starboard side, in 130' of water and it was a gr. On the 27th two merchant vessels were detached for New York. Sighting Narragansett 15 miles distant, Bibb came alongside and then proceeded to the floating drydock, two and one-half miles away, and took her in tow. Six hours later while returning to the convoy Bibb picked up 33 survivors from the Greek SS Kalliopi. During November 1944 through 29 January 1945, Bibb remained at the Charleston Navy Yard, undergoing conversion to an AGC [Amphibious Command & Control] vessel, her designation being then changed to WAGC-31. Because of the weather zigzagging was discontinued. The star shells marked the successful attack by a U-boat. If a type of glove had been incorporated in the suit instead of the tight fitting wrist bands, this edema, it is believed, would not have occurred. On the 16th she got underway in the van of a number of Navy craft who stood out of Buckner Bay and proceeded independently in accordance with the typhoon plan. From June to July 1969 she served on Ocean Station Delta and during September of that same year she served on Ocean Station Echo. The Babbitt was directed to join and try to bring her back to convoy. On the 26th the Delaware section of the convoy departed under escort of Ingham and USS Threat (AM-124) and at 0935 the lead ships were ordered to follow Bibb to the swept channel of New York harbor. The 5" battery expended seven rounds. For three days we provided the men with food and shelter as we stood by the disabled ship. Sunk as an artificial reef off the Florida Keys on 28 November 1987, 2 x Westinghouse double-reduction geared turbines; 2 x Babcock & Wilcox sectional express, air-encased, 400 psi, 200 superheat. On the 22nd the Norfolk section of the convoy was detached, escorted by four destroyer escorts, and a little later the Delaware section left under escort of two destroyer escorts. On the 24th Bibb changed course to effect a rendezvous with convoy SC-105, joining the convoy on the 26th. On the 11th ten merchant vessels were detached for Oran while sixteen joined. Later in the day she took station "one" in convoy UGS-39 forming off Norfolk swept chanced as flagship of Task Force 60, with six Coast Guard-manned, and six Navy-manned destroyer escorts. One merchant vessel was detached for St. John's. The Bibb left Toltec at the swept channel buoy No. With the advent of newer navigation and communication technology the Coast Guard soon discontinued ocean station patrols. On the same day two vessels broke off for Europe Point and the convoy was joined by the Gibraltar section. BIBB (C.G. On the 3rd information received was that there were some indications that enemy submarines were nearing the convoy. Hellcat fighters were being vectored to intercept the raid. Again on the 29th, On the morning of 6 May 1945, at 0846, SOPA warned that bogeys as well as many friendly planes were within four miles. On the 27th friendly aircraft were sighted screening the convoy. 4 of us did the Florida Keys Wreck Trek and the Bibb was our first dive. From 1946 to 1973. Bibb was named for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (July 4, 1844 March 7, 1845) George M. Bibb. The Bibb continued searching until sunset when she was relieved by CGC Dallas (WHEC-716) which had sailed from New York. USCGC Bibb (WPG-31) The Bibbwas a 327-foot (100 m) Secretary-Class (also known as "Treasury Class") Coast Guard ship commissioned in 1936. Fourteen minutes later a bogey consisting of probably two planes at low altitude, was reported as closing rapidly. On 27 February 1952 Bibb sustained minor damage when a Navy tug collided with her while maneuvering in Narragansett Bay. The Bibb joined the convoy on the 19th. All these planes were suicide planes which chose medium sized and large ships at anchor as their targets, and used various tactics, some attacking at night, some at dusk and others during daylight. From April to August of 1945 she participated in the assault on Okinawa, surviving numerous kamikaze attacks. Three hours later Bibb stood into the harbor and moored, remaining there until the 31st. She was commissioned on 10 March 1937. On 1 October the convoy was augmented by 30 merchant ships and three Navy vessels. Attempting various methods, including using a pulling boat and various rubber rafts from both the cutter and the flying boat, three passengers of the latter volunteered, only two hours before sunset, to attempt to make it to the cutter using one of the flying boat's small rafts. On the 2nd they were en route to Raufarhofn, where Nova discharged and loaded passengers. The Navy then designated her as WPG-31. USCGC Bibb (WHEC-31) - Steel Hip Flask - WI3. In August, 1949 she served on Ocean Station Dog. He, like the other officers who commanded these cutters, knew his business. Robert Scheina. The convoy consisted of 69 merchant ships, 19 LSTs and one British aircraft carrier. At the same time eight merchant vessels under escort of PC vessels were detached for Casablanca, making the total number of ships in the convoy 82, plus the oiler. At the end of World War II, each Secretary Class cutter was returned to her peace-time makeup. Two minutes later lookouts on Bibb sighted one aircraft identified as an Aichi D4A "Val" dive-bomber at a range of 8,000 yards appearing just over Hokaji Island, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. Next day she identified convoy ON-176 and delivered the section from Iceland. On 7 February 1943, the, Rescue operations continued throughout forenoon, 202 survivors being taken from three lifeboats and numerous rafts. She departed Boston on 20 December 1947, en route to Ocean Station Charlie via Argentia, relieving CGC Androscoggin (WPG-68) on 26 December 1947. Bibb saw service in World War II. Bibb was underway again on 9 June 1943 as flagship of Task Force 66 in company with Ingham and six Navy destroyers and six French escort vessels. These men had been some 60 hours in rough seas in an open boat and on rafts and their condition was much better than would be expected. The Bibb returned to Reykjavik Harbor, Iceland on the 10th where she remained until the 25th. Ten minutes later the second ship sank, stern first. The Bibb was underway on zig-zag courses at five knots at the time from Norfolk to Casco Day, Maine. Seven similar "combat cutters" were built and named for secretaries of the United States Treasury. On the 19th and 20th a number of ships were detached for Oran and Algiers, others joining from those ports. On the 26th, the escort duty completed, Bibb proceeded to South Boston Navy Yard Annex, mooring there on the 28th and remaining through the balance of October. The ship fought in the Battle of the Atlantic serving as a convoy escort. Bibb continued at anchor in Kerama Retto until 7 July 1945 when she proceeded to Buckner Bay, where she anchored remaining through the 16th. On the 17th she was underway to report to the escort commander of convoy HX-226. On several occasions she was praised for her gunfire support. On the 8th, with Skagie Point abeam to port, the Free French Corvette Roselys joined the task force. On 29 and 30 January 1945 she was depermed, degaussed and tested. By 0305 the rescue ships had completed operations and were underway to rejoin the convoy. A minute later at 0359 an enemy aircraft was sighted at a range of about 5,000 yards and about 1,000 feet in altitude. Anti-submarine weaponry was added in mid-1941 and under Executive Order of 11 September 1941, Twice during the next two hours, first two and then one ship in the convoy fired into the water, and one of the escorts, HMS, Standing out of Reykjavik harbor on 21 September 1942, Within two hours after being brought aboard, all survivors had been fed, showered, wrapped in blankets and placed on mattresses on the mess deck and in the engineer's passageway. Rescue operations continued throughout forenoon, 202 survivors being taken from three lifeboats and numerous rafts. By the 28th the ships were widely scattered and seldom in contact with each other. The Duane was directed to stand by while repairs were made. On the 16th two YMs detached for Bermuda. On 17 July 1982, In 1984 she participated in a multifaceted law enforcement operation code-named "Operation Wagon Wheel" in the Caribbean. On the next morning, 1 September 1942 at 1110, Bibb made a sound contact and five minutes later dropped a barrage of six small and two large depth charges. A place for old 327 BENO sailors to meet, swap sea stories and tall tales, and share photos. She then proceeded with the two Navy destroyers to point "COLD" to rendezvous with two more Russian submarines. This PAGE is dedicated to the memory and preservation of the USCGC George M. Bibb WHEC-31 (W-31, WPG-31) that served from 1937 till 1985 and presently lies as an artificial reef of the coast of Key West, Fl. The convoy began break-off operations on the 7th. The passengers panicked and leapt overboard into the 50 water. In the various areas of Coast Guard Cutter operations which included Market Time Patrol and Naval Gunfire Support, you leave behind an impressive record of operational excellence. On the 25th she proceeded to Argentia in company with USS SC-688 and USS SC-189. She departed Charlie upon relief by Duane on 16 January 1948. Crew of the USCGC Hamilton Home Browse by Topic Assets Water All Cutters (65 ft or greater) Cutter Resources Cutter Listing by Class Collapse All Expand All 420' Healy Class Icebreaker (WAGB) 399' Polar Class Icebreaker (WAGB) 378' High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) 338' Alamosa Class Cutter (WAK) 327' Treasury Class Cutter (WPG) The Vigilant capsized and sank one hour later. Eight merchant vessels were detached for Gibraltar on the 15th. On the 15th USS Edwards (DD-619) departed for Bermuda, her sound gear inoperative. Most of the armament was removed, except for the addition of a 40mm anti-aircraft battery, a 5-inch 38 caliber main battery and "mousetrap" anti-submarine armament. This convoy was part of an east bound trans-Atlantic convoy which had broken off and was headed for Iceland. On the 14th they observed a plane, which was providing air coverage, crash at sea. On the 13th, sixteen merchant vessels detached for Algiers while 23 merchant vessels joined from that port. On August 6th Bibb expended 11 depth charges on a sound contact which was later evaluated as non-submarine. The Bibb departed Guantanamo Bay on 29 December 1943, escorting convoy GAT-108 and arrived at Trinidad 3 January 1944. On the 8th she stood out of Gibraltar Harbor in command of Task Force to meet convoy GUS-11 at the straits. Twenty minutes later she sighted a life raft with three men on it end she directed the rescue ship to pick them up. The next year, in June-July, she served on Ocean Station How and in July of 1950 she and her sister Treasury-class cutters had Mark 10 projectors installed. On the 23rd two destroyers were ordered to cover the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9), while another destroyer transferred 15 survivors of an enemy sub sunk by one of Bogue's planes on the 23rd. The Bibb now maneuvered near Coulmore and found her in good condition and floating on an even keel, even with the torpedo hole in her bow. At the end of World War II, each Secretary Class cutter was returned to her peace-time makeup. Thirty-two preliminary designs of a modified Erie-class gunboat were drawn up before one was finally selected. The next day she had a sound contact and carried out an embarrassing attack, dropping two depth charges. CGC Bibb in her post-war configuration and paint. Standing out of Reykjavik harbor on 21 September 1942 Bibb awaited the assembly of a convoy of two columns of five ships each which was underway by 1600. All were experienced seamen who were prepared to carry the war directly to the U-boats although their training in fighting submarines was scarce to non-existent. Because the air passenger trade was expanding both at home and overseas, the Coast Guard believed that cutter-based aircraft would be essential for future high-seas search and rescue. At 2210 Bibb received a challenge on bearing 340 degrees and answering it, the challenge was identified as the submarine HMS Seawolf on the surface below the horizon. The 327s were an attempt to develop a 20-knot cutter capable of carrying an airplane in a hangar. In August 1956 Bibb was on Ocean Station Delta and served there again in December of 1956. 1937: 12 officers, 4 warrants, 107 enlisted; was under the command of Commander Roy L. Raney during the convoy battles to come. A second message followed an hour later adding that the vessel was now on fire. Call Sokolove Law right now at (800) 647-3434 if you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. The USCGC Bibb (WPG-31) was a 327-foot (100 m) Secretary-Class (also known as "Treasury Class") Coast Guard ship commissioned in 1936. The Bibb was underway on zig-zag courses at five knots at the time from Norfolk to Casco Day, Maine. A distress message from the disabled SS Agenor gave the Bibb an opportunity to resume its customary peace-time job of search and rescue. She passed through to canal and departed Balboa on the 23rd for Pearl Harbor. On March 2nd four merchant vessels detached for Gibraltar and Task Force 66 was relieved of escorting the convoy by a British task force. On 10 September 1945, the Commander, Mine Craft, shifted his flag to Terror, and the Bibb became relief flagship for RADM Arthur D. Struble, USN, newly appointed Commander, Mine Craft. On 7 March 1943, Bibb got underway from Reykjavik to augment the escort of convoy SC-121. Bibb was named for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (July 4, 1844 - March 7, 1845) George M. Bibb . Dedicated also to the Bibb Shipmates Assc. All escorts were given permission to open fire at will on unidentified aircraft. After maneuvering close to the Bibb to secure a mooring line, the flying boat lost control and collided with the cutter's hull, damaging the nose of the aircraft as well as both wings and their attached floats. Complement: 1937: 12 officers, 4 warrants, 107 enlisted; The U.S. Coast Guard cutter George M. Bibb (Builder's No. Mooring at Norfolk on the 11th three more destroyers reported to the task force and they departed the same day to escort convoy UGS-12 to North Africa ports. On the 13th the commander of Task Force 60 was transferred aboard USS Merrill (DE-392) relieving the Bibb as flagship. Saw lots of mail bags, boxes, wood, wood splinters, empty life jackets, oars, upturned boats, empty life rafts, bodies, parts of bodies, clothes, cork, and a million other things that ships have in them. Seven hours later Bibb fired a barrage of depth charges on a sound contact and a few minutes later the McLeish reported a sound contact which was almost immediately lost. Most of the armament was removed, except for the addition of a 40mm anti-aircraft battery, a 5-inch 38 caliber main battery and mousetrap anti-submarine armament.