USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70)

USCGC "Pontchartrain" (WHEC-70) was an "Owasco" class high endurance cutter built for World War II service with the United States Coast Guard. The ship was commissioned just days before the end of the war and thus did not see combat action until the Vietnam war.

"Pontchartrain" was built by the Coast Guard yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland, one of only two "Owasco" class vessels not to be built by Western Pipe & Steel. Named after Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, the ship was commissioned as a patrol gunboat with ID number WPG-70 on 28 July 1945. Her ID was later changed to WHEC-70 (HEC for "High Endurance Cutter" - the "W" signifies a Coast Guard vessel).

Peacetime service

"Pontchartrain" was originally named "Okeechobee". She was stationed at Boston, Massachusetts, from 1 April 1946 to 17 October 1947 [there is conflicting data that indicates station at Boston until 23 August 1948!] and was used for law enforcement, ocean station, and search and rescue operations. She was subsequently decommissioned and stored at the Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, MD, until 5 September 1948. She was re-commissioned and homeported at Norfolk, Virginia until 12 November 1949. From 12 November 1949 to 19 October 1973, she was stationed at Long Beach, California. She was used for law enforcement, ocean station, and search and rescue operations in the Pacific.

On 4 May 1950, "Pontchartrain" assisted the disabled FV "Eta" near Catalina Island. On 20 August 1955, she escorted the disabled American MV "John C". On 26 and 27 August 1955, she assisted the disabled FV "Nina Ann". On 16 October 1956, she rescued all on Pan American Clipper 943, which ditched only ½ mile from the cutter. On 20 November 1956, "Pontchartrain" assisted LSM-455 aground on San Clemente Island. On 26 August 1957, she assisted the disabled FV "Modeoday" 2 miles north of North Point Pinos. On 22 November 1957, she assisted the disabled yacht "Gosling" at 33°59’N, 120°16’W.

On 25 February 1958, "Pontchartrain" assisted the disabled yacht "Intrepid". From 11 to 21 August 1958, she served on a reserve training cruise. She patrolled the Ensenada Bay Race on 10 May 1959. On 10 July 1959, she assisted FV "Carolyn Dee" at 33°N, 120°W. On 13 and 14 July 1959, she assisted MV "Mamie". On 17 August 1960, she patrolled the Acapulco Yacht Race. From 20 August to 3 September 1960, she served on a reserve training cruise. On 19 October 1960, she rescued three from the ketch "Alpha" at 30°21’N, 117°56’W. On 22 January 1961, she medevaced a patient from USNS "Richfield". On 30 April 1963, "Ponchartrain" assisted the disabled FV "Gaga" 10 miles east of San Nicolas Island.

Vietnam war

"Pontchartrain" was assigned to Coast Guard Squadron Three, Vietnam, from 31 March to 2 July 1970.

Decommissioning

"Pontchartrain" was decommissioned on 19 October 1973. She was scrapped with the rest of the "Owasco" class in 1974.

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Pontchartrain_1945.html "Pontchartrain" WHEC-69] , 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.