USCGC Clover (WLB-292)
Encyclopedia
USCGC Clover WAGL/WLB/WMEC-292, a Cactus (A) Class buoy tender
was built by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding, Duluth, Minnesota
. Her keel was laid 3 December 1941, and she was launched 25 April 1942. She was commissioned on 8 November 1942 in the United States Coast Guard
as the United States Coast Guard Cutter Clover. She was built as a WAGL, redesignated a WLB in 1965, and again redisignated a WMEC in 1990.
From April 1943 through September 1943 Clover was employed in the construction of the Bering Sea
LORAN chain at St. Paul Island, Unimak Island, St. Matthew Island, and Cape Sarichef, Alaska. On 20 December 1943, the cutter towed the damaged PC-780 to safety. In July 1945 Clover assisted the distressed ATS TP-127. From 1944 to 1945 Clover was assigned to ALASKASEAFRON and performed general aid to navigation (ATON) duties.
for ATON work. On 7 May 1950 the tender assisted FV Evolution in Warm Springs Bay
, Alaska. On 14 August 1950 Clover helped a grounded barge in Hooper Bay, Alaska. On 12 January 1951 Clover assisted the grounded MV Lady Jape at Valdez Arm, Alaska. On 8 August 1951 the cutter towed a disabled aircraft to Nome, Alaska.
During 27 through 29 March 1952 Clover assisted the disabled MV Garland at 56d 24m N, 154d 40m W. On 5 August 1952 Clover assisted FV Alice I near Chugach Island, Alaska. Later, on 15 August 1952 she towed the disabled FV Renabel into Seward, Alaska
. On 12 October 1953 APL-55 ran aground and Clover helped her to get back underway.
On 23 May 1955 Clover assisted USC&GS Surveyor
off Popof Island
Alaska. On 21 January 1956 the cutter rescued three marooned survivors from Amaniuliak Island, Alaska. During 18 to 19 April 1956 Clover towed the disabled FV Shamrock to Yakutat, Alaska. From 03 to 15 February 1958 Clover participated in a joint exercise with the United States Navy
.
From 1 July 1958 through 30 June 1964, Clover was stationed at Adak, Alaska
and did ATON, law enforcement, search and rescue, and fisheries patrol. Clover also tended lightships and lighthouse.
From 23 to 25 December 1959 Clover aided and then escorted the disabled Japanese MV Hokyo Maru from Nazan Harbor in the Aleutian Islands to Adak, Alaska. On 24 April 1960 she towed the disabled Canadian FV Norprince to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska
. During 28 through 30 April 1960 Clover discovered Japanese fishing vessels in U.S. territorial waters and escorted them to international waters.
From 1 July 1964 through 30 June 1965 Clover was stationed at Ketchikan, Alaska
, and performed ATON duties. Then Clover was re-assigned to Sitka, Alaska and homeported there from 1 July 1965 through December 1969. As she had in previous assignments, her primary duty was the maintaining of aids to navigation (ATON).
In April 1966 Clover took over the tow the disabled FV Astronaut from the Soviet FV Churkin 200 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska. On 27 November 1967 the crew performed a MEDEVAC
of a crewman from the Japanese MV Kirishima Maru in Sitka Sound, Alaska. On 20 May 1968 the Clover escorted the distressed FV Freeland 300 miles south of Cordova, Alaska, to Cape St. James, Alaska. On 12 September 1968 Clover escorted the MV Marutomo Maru which had an injured seaman on board to Sitka, Alaska. Later that month, on 29 September 1968, Clover towed the disabled FV Miss Georgia from Salisbury Sound, Alaska to Sitka, Alaska. On 2 January 1969 Clover salvaged a Champion aircraft which had ditched at Rodman Bay, Alaska.
On 6 January 1970 Clover went to the aid of the distressed FV Irene G off Sitka, Alaska. On 21 February 1970 she rescued five persons from the tugboat MV Intrepid 15 miles south of Ocean Cape, Alaska. On 5 May 1970 Clover escorted the distressed FV Oceanic to Ketchikan, Alaska
. On 27 June 1970 she seized the FV Akebono Maru No. 11 for illegal fishing within the U.S. contiguous zone. On 10 September 1975 Clover captured the Taiwanese FV Tong Hong 3 west of Sitka, Alaska for fisheries violations. On 9 February 1977 the tender apprehended FV Fukuyoshi Maru 75 for violating U.S. territorial waters.
From December 1979 until her decommissioning in June 1990 the Clover was stationed at Eureka, California
. Clover was reclassified as a USCG Medium Endurance Cutter
(WMEC), her hull painted white and performed search and rescue (SAR) and law enforcment (LE) patrols.
During March and April 1983 she assisted in the attempted salvage of Blunts Reef (California) Large Navigational Buoy. In August 1983 Clover conducted fisheries patrol off the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts. On 1 June 1990 Clover was decommissioned and salvaged and turned over to the U.S. Navy. In 1992 Clover was used for gunnery practice by the U.S. Navy, and sunk as an artificial reef fish habitat program.
Buoy tender
A buoy tender is a type of vessel used to maintain and replace navigational buoys. The name is also used for someone who works on such a vessel and maintains buoys....
was built by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding, Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
. Her keel was laid 3 December 1941, and she was launched 25 April 1942. She was commissioned on 8 November 1942 in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
as the United States Coast Guard Cutter Clover. She was built as a WAGL, redesignated a WLB in 1965, and again redisignated a WMEC in 1990.
World War Two
During the months of January and February 1943 Clover was used to break ice at Cleveland Ledge, Massachusetts and the Hog Island Channel in Chespeake Bay. Then Clover was assigned to the 13th Coast Guard District, Seattle, Washington; and used for escort duty due to the shortage of ships of that type.From April 1943 through September 1943 Clover was employed in the construction of the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
LORAN chain at St. Paul Island, Unimak Island, St. Matthew Island, and Cape Sarichef, Alaska. On 20 December 1943, the cutter towed the damaged PC-780 to safety. In July 1945 Clover assisted the distressed ATS TP-127. From 1944 to 1945 Clover was assigned to ALASKASEAFRON and performed general aid to navigation (ATON) duties.
Postwar
From 22 August 1946 through 17 October 1948 Clover was stationed at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and performed ATON duties. From 18 October 1948 through 30 January 1958 Clover was stationed at Kodiak, AlaskaKodiak, Alaska
Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline...
for ATON work. On 7 May 1950 the tender assisted FV Evolution in Warm Springs Bay
Warm Springs Bay
Warm Springs Bay is a 2.4 mile-long bay located just outside of the small community of Baranof Warm Springs on Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska. Warm Springs Bay receives the outflow of Baranof Lake and Baranof River. Warm Springs Bay is located at .It receives its name from...
, Alaska. On 14 August 1950 Clover helped a grounded barge in Hooper Bay, Alaska. On 12 January 1951 Clover assisted the grounded MV Lady Jape at Valdez Arm, Alaska. On 8 August 1951 the cutter towed a disabled aircraft to Nome, Alaska.
During 27 through 29 March 1952 Clover assisted the disabled MV Garland at 56d 24m N, 154d 40m W. On 5 August 1952 Clover assisted FV Alice I near Chugach Island, Alaska. Later, on 15 August 1952 she towed the disabled FV Renabel into Seward, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Seward is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,016....
. On 12 October 1953 APL-55 ran aground and Clover helped her to get back underway.
On 23 May 1955 Clover assisted USC&GS Surveyor
USC&GS Surveyor (1917)
The first USC&GS Surveyor was a survey ship that served in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1917 and from 1919 to 1956.-Construction:...
off Popof Island
Popof Island
Popof Island is an island in the Shumagin Islands south of mainland Alaska. The largest community in the area, Sand Point, is located on the northwest coast. Popof Island is 10 miles long, 5 miles wide and the peak elevation is 1,550 feet . It is located at...
Alaska. On 21 January 1956 the cutter rescued three marooned survivors from Amaniuliak Island, Alaska. During 18 to 19 April 1956 Clover towed the disabled FV Shamrock to Yakutat, Alaska. From 03 to 15 February 1958 Clover participated in a joint exercise with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
From 1 July 1958 through 30 June 1964, Clover was stationed at Adak, Alaska
Adak, Alaska
Adak , formerly Adak Station, is a city in the Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 326. It is the westernmost municipality in the United States and the southernmost city in Alaska. The city is the former location of the Adak Army Base and Adak...
and did ATON, law enforcement, search and rescue, and fisheries patrol. Clover also tended lightships and lighthouse.
From 23 to 25 December 1959 Clover aided and then escorted the disabled Japanese MV Hokyo Maru from Nazan Harbor in the Aleutian Islands to Adak, Alaska. On 24 April 1960 she towed the disabled Canadian FV Norprince to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska is a city in the Aleutians West Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Unalaska is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off of mainland Alaska....
. During 28 through 30 April 1960 Clover discovered Japanese fishing vessels in U.S. territorial waters and escorted them to international waters.
From 1 July 1964 through 30 June 1965 Clover was stationed at Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is a city in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, United States, the southeasternmost sizable city in that state. With an estimated population of 7,368 in 2010 within the city limits, it is the fifth most populous city in the state....
, and performed ATON duties. Then Clover was re-assigned to Sitka, Alaska and homeported there from 1 July 1965 through December 1969. As she had in previous assignments, her primary duty was the maintaining of aids to navigation (ATON).
In April 1966 Clover took over the tow the disabled FV Astronaut from the Soviet FV Churkin 200 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska. On 27 November 1967 the crew performed a MEDEVAC
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
of a crewman from the Japanese MV Kirishima Maru in Sitka Sound, Alaska. On 20 May 1968 the Clover escorted the distressed FV Freeland 300 miles south of Cordova, Alaska, to Cape St. James, Alaska. On 12 September 1968 Clover escorted the MV Marutomo Maru which had an injured seaman on board to Sitka, Alaska. Later that month, on 29 September 1968, Clover towed the disabled FV Miss Georgia from Salisbury Sound, Alaska to Sitka, Alaska. On 2 January 1969 Clover salvaged a Champion aircraft which had ditched at Rodman Bay, Alaska.
On 6 January 1970 Clover went to the aid of the distressed FV Irene G off Sitka, Alaska. On 21 February 1970 she rescued five persons from the tugboat MV Intrepid 15 miles south of Ocean Cape, Alaska. On 5 May 1970 Clover escorted the distressed FV Oceanic to Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is a city in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, United States, the southeasternmost sizable city in that state. With an estimated population of 7,368 in 2010 within the city limits, it is the fifth most populous city in the state....
. On 27 June 1970 she seized the FV Akebono Maru No. 11 for illegal fishing within the U.S. contiguous zone. On 10 September 1975 Clover captured the Taiwanese FV Tong Hong 3 west of Sitka, Alaska for fisheries violations. On 9 February 1977 the tender apprehended FV Fukuyoshi Maru 75 for violating U.S. territorial waters.
From December 1979 until her decommissioning in June 1990 the Clover was stationed at Eureka, California
Eureka, California
Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....
. Clover was reclassified as a USCG Medium Endurance Cutter
USCG Medium Endurance Cutter
The United States Coast Guard's cutter fleet contains numerous smaller vessels, and about three dozen large icebreakers, High endurance cutters, Medium Endurance cutters, and three National Security Cutters. There are two legacy vessels, the Alex Haley and the Acushnet.There are 13 vessels in the...
(WMEC), her hull painted white and performed search and rescue (SAR) and law enforcment (LE) patrols.
During March and April 1983 she assisted in the attempted salvage of Blunts Reef (California) Large Navigational Buoy. In August 1983 Clover conducted fisheries patrol off the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts. On 1 June 1990 Clover was decommissioned and salvaged and turned over to the U.S. Navy. In 1992 Clover was used for gunnery practice by the U.S. Navy, and sunk as an artificial reef fish habitat program.
External links
- USCG Historian's office USCGC Clover http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Clover1941.asp
- USCGC Clover veterans at the Coast Guard Channel Community http://www.community.coastguardchannel.com/