USCGC Storis (WMEC-38)

The USCG medium endurance cutter "Storis" (WMEC-38) was the oldest vessel in commission with the United States Coast Guard fleet at 64 years and 5 months. She was the first American vessel to circumnavigate North America.

The keel of "STORIS" was laid down on July 14, 1941. "STORIS" was launched on April 4, 1942 and commissioned on September 30, 1942 as an ice patrol tender. Initially assigned to the North Atlantic during World War II, "STORIS" participated in the Greenland Patrols. She was tasked with patrolling the east coast of Greenland to prevent the establishment of German weather stations.

On 10 June 1943, the began escorting convoy GS-24 from Narsarssuak to St. John's, Newfoundland, in company with the "MOJAVE" (Flag), "TAMPA", "ESCANABA", and "ALGONQUIN", the convoy consisting of USAT "FAIRFAX" and USS "RARITAN". At 0510 on the 13th, dense black and yellow smoke was reported rising from the "ESCANABA". She sank at 0513. "STORIS" and "RARITAN" were ordered to investigate and rescue survivors while the rest of the convoy began zigzagging and steering evasive courses to avoid submarines. At 0715 the two cutters returned, having rescued 2 survivors and found the body of Lt. Robert H. Prause, which was on the "RARITAN". No explosion had been heard by the other escort vessels. The entire crew of 103 of the "ESCANABA" was lost with the exception of these two men.

During her first years, "STORIS" operated in the very waters from which her name was derived. "Storis" is a Scandinavian name taken from the Eskimo word "sirorssuit" meaning "great ice."

Following the war, the homeport of "STORIS" was changed from Boston to Curtis Bay, Maryland. On September 15, 1948, "STORIS" was reassigned to Juneau, Alaska where she participated in the Bering Sea Patrol, which entailed delivering medical, dental and judicial services to isolated native villages in the far reaches of the territory. At the same time, "STORIS" assisted in establishing Alaskan LORAN radio-navigation stations, provided supplies for the Defense Early Warning System and conducted hydrographic surveys in the uncharted waters off the Arctic.

On July 1, 1957, "STORIS" departed in company with the Coast Guard Cutters BRAMBLE (WLB-392) and USCGC SPAR (WLB-403) to search for a deep draft channel through the Arctic Ocean and to collect hydrographic information. Upon her return to Greenland waters, "STORIS" became the first U.S. registered vessel to circumnavigate the North American continent. Shortly after her return in late 1957, the "STORIS" was reassigned to her new homeport of Kodiak, Alaska.

In 1972, "STORIS" underwent a major renovation converting her from a light icebreaker to a medium endurance cutter. With the change in designation, there also came a change in primary duties. The primary functions of "STORIS" shifted to enforcing laws and treaties of the domestic and foreign fisheries in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. "STORIS" underwent another major maintenance overhaul in 1986 that replaced her power plant and expanded her living quarters to include a new berthing area for women and a lounge for the crew.

The "STORIS" was decommissioned in a ceremony in Kodiak on February 8, 2007. The cutter then sailed to Alameda, California, where it was made ready for its immediate destination as part of the "Mothball Fleet" at Suisun Bay. [http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_5470165 See article]

Some, including Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young, both Republicans of Alaska, are working towards turning "STORIS" into a museum ship. [http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_5470165]

The ultimate fate of the vessel is yet to be determined.

24 April 2008, the Coast Guard Authorization Bill was (H.R. 2830) was passed. Included is the clause to transform the "STORIS" to a Museum and educational center in Juneau, AK. [http://www.storismuseum.org/LATEST.html]

External links

* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/webcutters/storis1942.htm Official USCGC STORIS Web Site]
* [http://www.uscgalaska.com/ Coast Guard Alaska News]
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org/Magazine/archives/arc_news_2006/112906.htm National Trust Preservation online article about decommissioning the ship]
* [http://www.storismuseum.org/index.html Storis Museum, Juneau, AK]