USCGC Spar (WLB-403)

The USCGC "Spar" (WLB-403) was a convert|180|ft|m|0|sing=on sea going buoy tender. An "Iris" class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. "Spar'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. On 13 September 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 02 November 1942 and commissioned on 12 Jun 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $865,941.

"Spar" was one of 39 original convert|180|ft|m|0|sing=on seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders (the USCGC "Ironwood") were built in Duluth.

"Spar's" most notable accomplishment was being a member of a group of United States Coast Guard vessels to be the first to circumnavigate North America in 1957.

"Spar" was decommissioned in 1997 and sold at auction. After changing hands several times, she ended up being transferred to the Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation, who evaluated her and determined their best use of the ship was to sell her, or parts of her, to raise money to support their other projects. "Spar's" main engines, generators, and other equipment were removed and sold to re-power another vessel. The remains of the vessel were scuttled in October 2004 in 108 feet of water, convert|30|mi|km|0 off Morehead City, North Carolina, where she now serves as an artificial reef.

References

* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/NPS_180_HAER_Report.pdf National Park Service Report on the convert|180|ft|m|0|sing=on buoy tenders]
* [http://www.northeasternmaritime.org/Spar.shtml Northeastern Maritime Website]
* [http://www.hagertygrain.com/spar/ The Spar Museum]