USCGC Klamath (WHEC-66)

USCGC "Klamath" (WHEC-66) was an "Owasco" class high endurance cutter built for World War II service with the United States Coast Guard. The war ended before the ship was completed and consequently "Klamath" did not see wartime service until the Vietnam War.

"Klamath" was built by Western Pipe & Steel at the company's San Pedro shipyard. Named after Klamath Lake, Oregon, she was commissioned as a patrol gunboat with ID number WPG-66 on 19 June 1946. Her ID was later changed to WHEC-66 (HEC for "High Endurance Cutter" - the "W" signifies a Coast Guard vessel).

Peacetime service

"Klamath" was homeported at Seattle, Washington, from 19 June 1946 to 1 May 1973. She was used for law enforcement, ocean station, and search and rescue operations in the Pacific. Additionally, she also conducted Bering Sea Patrol annually.

From 20 to 24 March 1966, she inspected the Soviet MV "Olyturka", which had sought haven in U.S. waters following a casualty. On 25 March 1966, the Japanese FV's "Bansho Maru No. 38" and "Tenyo Maru No. 3" were discovered in U.S. waters and escorted out.

Vietnam War

"Klamath" was assigned to Coast Guard Squadron Three, Vietnam, from 14 May 1969 to 31 January 1970.

Return to peacetime duties

In February 1972, a boarding party from "Klamath" helped save the badly damaged MV "Tenzan Maru" and she was subsequently escorted to safety.

Decommissioning

"Klamath" was decommissioned on 1 May 1973 and was sold for scrap on 18 November 1974.

References

* [http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Klamath_1946.html "Klamath" WHEC-66] , United States' Coast Guard website.
*Scheina, Robert L.: "U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft of World War II" Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1981, pp. 1-3.
*Scheina, Robert L.: "U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft, 1946-1990" Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990, pp. 18-26.