USCGC Blackthorn collides with the tanker Capricorn while leaving Tampa, Florida and capsizes, killing 23 Coast Guard crewmembers.

The Legacy of the USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391): A Story of Service and Sacrifice

The USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a distinguished 180-foot (55-meter) seagoing buoy tender, a vital asset of the United States Coast Guard. These robust vessels, designated WLB, are primarily responsible for maintaining and servicing aids to navigation, such as buoys, lighthouses, and daymarkers, which are crucial for safe maritime passage in waterways across the nation. The Blackthorn's operational history, however, tragically concluded on January 28, 1980, when she was involved in a devastating collision near the iconic Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida. This maritime accident led to the rapid sinking of the vessel and the profound loss of 23 brave crew members, marking one of the most significant tragedies in U.S. Coast Guard history.

A Legacy of Design and Wartime Construction

The USCGC Blackthorn belonged to the renowned Iris-class, a series of highly capable buoy tenders designed to be the backbone of the Coast Guard's aids-to-navigation fleet. Her construction took place at the Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota, a key shipbuilding hub during World War II. The initial preliminary design for this class was meticulously developed by the United States Lighthouse Service, an agency that later merged with the Coast Guard and whose expertise laid the groundwork for safe maritime infrastructure. The final detailed design work was then executed by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation itself. The vessel's rapid construction reflected the urgent demands of wartime; her keel was laid on May 21, 1943, she was successfully launched on July 20, 1943, and proudly commissioned into service on March 27, 1944. At the time, the original cost for her hull and machinery alone amounted to $876,403, representing a substantial investment in the nation's maritime safety infrastructure during a critical period.

The Extensive Iris-Class Fleet: A Standard for Buoy Tenders

The USCGC Blackthorn was part of an impressive fleet of 39 identical 180-foot (55-meter) seagoing buoy tenders, all constructed between 1942 and 1944. This standardized production during World War II underscored the critical need for a robust fleet capable of maintaining vital navigation aids across the nation's waterways, supporting both commercial shipping and naval operations. Remarkably, almost the entire Iris-class fleet, with the sole exception of the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297), was constructed in Duluth, Minnesota, solidifying the city's significant contribution to the Coast Guard's wartime efforts and its post-war operational capabilities.

A Career Spanning Coasts: Blackthorn's Diverse Service

Throughout her career, the USCGC Blackthorn demonstrated remarkable versatility and adaptability, serving in various critical roles across different geographical regions of the United States. Initially, she was assigned to the Great Lakes, where her robust design and power were utilized for essential ice-breaking duties, ensuring the navigability of frozen waterways for commerce and transportation. However, her deployment was brief, and after only a few months, she was strategically reassigned to San Pedro, California, on the Pacific Coast. Here, she served for several years, undertaking crucial buoy tender operations in the busy shipping lanes of Southern California. Later in her service life, Blackthorn moved to the Gulf Coast region, initially based in Mobile, Alabama, before being transferred to Galveston, Texas, for her final years of dedicated service to maritime safety. This diverse operational history highlights the wide-ranging demands placed upon these essential Coast Guard vessels and their enduring impact on safe navigation.

Tragic End and New Purpose: The 1980 Collision

In a cruel twist of fate, the USCGC Blackthorn had just completed a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida, a comprehensive maintenance period from 1979 to 1980 designed to extend her service life and ensure her continued operational readiness. On January 28, 1980, while departing Tampa Bay, her journey was abruptly and tragically interrupted. In a fateful encounter, the Blackthorn collided with the large tanker SS Capricorn, a vessel laden with fuel. The impact was catastrophic; shortly after the collision, the Blackthorn rapidly capsized and sank, leading to the devastating loss of 23 crew members. The scale of the tragedy prompted an immediate and thorough investigation into the causes of the collision, highlighting critical maritime safety protocols. Following the complex recovery operation to raise the cutter from the seafloor for examination, the USCGC Blackthorn was ultimately scuttled – intentionally sunk – in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, far from her initial duties, the wreck of the Blackthorn serves a new, vital purpose: it functions as a thriving artificial reef, providing essential habitat for marine life and a popular destination for recreational diving and fishing enthusiasts. This transformation offers a poignant legacy for a vessel that dedicated decades to maritime safety.

Frequently Asked Questions About the USCGC Blackthorn

What was the USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)?
The USCGC Blackthorn was a 180-foot (55-meter) seagoing buoy tender operated by the United States Coast Guard. Her primary mission was to maintain aids to navigation, such as buoys and lighthouses, ensuring the safety of maritime traffic in coastal waters and the Great Lakes.
When and where did the USCGC Blackthorn sink?
The USCGC Blackthorn tragically sank on January 28, 1980, following a collision with the tanker SS Capricorn near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida.
How many crew members were lost in the Blackthorn collision?
The devastating collision resulted in the fatalities of 23 crew members aboard the USCGC Blackthorn, making it a significant loss of life for the U.S. Coast Guard.
What was the Iris-class, and where were these vessels built?
The Iris-class was a standardized series of 39 seagoing buoy tenders built for the U.S. Coast Guard between 1942 and 1944 during World War II. Almost all of these essential vessels, including the Blackthorn, were constructed by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota.
What happened to the USCGC Blackthorn after it sank?
After being raised from Tampa Bay for a thorough investigation into the collision, the USCGC Blackthorn was intentionally scuttled (sunk) in the Gulf of Mexico. It now serves as an artificial reef, supporting diverse marine ecosystems and attracting recreational divers and fishermen to its site.