USCGC Evergreen (WLB-295)

The USCGC "Evergreen" (WLB-295, WAGO-295, and WMEC-295) was originally built as a convert|180|ft|m|0|sing=on sea going buoy tender (WLB). A "Cactus", or A-class vessel, "Evergreen"'s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota (also the builders). The keel was laid on 15 April 1942. It was launched on 03 July 1942 and commissioned on 30 April 1943. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $871,946.

"Evergreen" is 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 (WLB-307), were built in Duluth. Like all of these tenders, the "Evergreen" was named after a plant.

Starting In 1948, "Evergreen" served as part of the International Ice Patrol, in addition to her duties as a buoy tender. In 1956, "Evergreen" served as the commanding vessel in the rescue of survivors from the Andrea Doria sinking. In 1964, "Evergreen" was converted to an oceanographic vessel and re-designated WAGO-295. During the conversion, a computer was installed, and "Evergreen" became the first government oceanographic ship to have one. As an oceanographic vessel, she was also converted from a black hull paint scheme to a white hull paint scheme, which the vessel wore until it was decommissioned. In 1968 "Evergreen" suffered a major fire in her engine room while tied to the pier. The fire was extinguished and the vessel was repaired. In 1972, "Evergreen" underwent extensive modification, including the addition of a bow thruster, and changes to her superstructure. In 1982, when the Coast Guard's oceanographic research program ended, the vessel was converted to a Medium Endurance Cutter, and re-designated WMEC-295.

"Evergreen" was decommissioned on 26 June 1990. She was used by the Navy as a target and sunk in 1992.

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.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/WLB_Photo_Index.html Photo history of USCG buoy tenders by the Coast Guard Historian's Office]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/LANTAREA/IIP/General/history.shtml|History of the International Ice Patrol]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4442/is_200505/ai_n16056460|Evergreen Fire Article]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/WMEC_Photo_Index.html|History of Medium Endurance Cutters]