USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)

USCGC "Ingham" (WHEC-35) , one of only two preserved "Treasury"-class cutters. Originally "Samuel D. Ingham", she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham (1779–1860 ). She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.Fact|date=August 2008

History 1934-1988

"Ingham" was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard The Treasury Department awarded her contract on 30 January 1934. Her keel was laid on 1 May 1935 and she was launched on 3 June 1936 along with her sisters "William J. Duane" and "Roger B. Taney". "Ingham" was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

"Ingham" served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, "Ingham" battled stormy weather, German U-Boats, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942,cite book | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/| title = The official chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II | chapter = Chapter IV: 1942 | chapterurl = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1942.html | first = Robert | last = Cressman | location = Annapolis, Maryland | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2000 | isbn = 9781557501493 | oclc = 41977179 | accessdate = 2007-12-15 ] during one crossing, "Ingham" engaged and sank the enemy submarine "U-626". After 1944, "Ingham" served as an amphibious flagship.

"Ingham" patrolled the waters surrounding Korea during the 1950-1953 Korean War and earned a Presidential Unit Citation for her service during the 1959-1975 Vietnam War.

After the war the cutter returned to regular Coast Guard duties, serving until 1988, when she was decommissioned. At that time, Ingham "was the oldest commissioned U.S. warship afloat".

Museum Ship and Memorial

Acquired by Patriot's Point in 1989, "Ingham" is displayed along with the aircraft carrier "Yorktown", the destroyer "Laffey", and the submarine "Clamagore".

The Commandant of the Coast Guard has declared "Ingham" the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action In World War II and Vietnam. These 912 casualties are identified on a memorial plaque on Ingham's quarterdeck. [cite web|url=http://www.hnsa.org/ships/ingham.htm|title=HNSA Web Page: USS Ingham|accessdate=2008-03-28] USCGC "Ingham" was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/92001879.pdf Maritime Heritage of the United States NHL Theme Study--Large Vessels Registration: "Ingham" / U.S. Coast Guard Cutter "Ingham" (WPG-35)] |32 KB|date=November 1, 1991 |first=James P. |last=Delgado |publisher=National Park Service and PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/92001879.pdf "Accompanying three photos, exterior, from 1944, 1953, and 1990"] |32 KB]

Trivia

This ship is mentioned in the song "Wolfpack" by Swedish powermetal band Sabaton.Fact|date=August 2008

References

* "This article includes text from the public domain website of the Office of the Historian, United States Coast Guard. The entry can be found [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history here] ."

External links

* [http://www.patriotspoint.org/ Patriot's Point Maritime Museum]
* [http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/charleston/S10817710154/index.htm U.S.S. Ingham, Charleston County (Patriot’s Point, Mount Pleasant vicinity)] , with 3 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/Ingham_WPG_35.html uscg.mil: USCGC "Ingham"]
* [http://www.hnsa.org/ships/ingham.htm HNSA Web Page: USS Ingham]
* [http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/charleston/S10817710154/index.htm U.S.S. Ingham, Charleston County listing in National Register Properties in South Carolina]