COWSLIP USCGC
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 2:00 am
USCGC Cowslip (WLB-277) is a 180-foot (55 m) sea going buoy tender (WLB). A Cactus-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Cowslip's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On 16 September 1941 the keel was laid. She was launched on 11 April 1942 and commissioned on 17 October 1942. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $918,873.
Cowslip is one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 - 1944. All but one of the original tenders, the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-307), were built in Duluth.
After commissioning Cowslip was assigned to the 1st District and stationed at Boston, MA. During January-February 1943the cutter was used to break ice in the Cape Cod Canal. On 1 May the cutter was transferred to Portland, ME. During August 1944 and July 1945 Cowslip serviced buoys and anti-submarine nets at Argentia, Newfoundland.
After World War II Cowslip continued to be stationed at Portland, ME until her first decommissioning in March 1973. During this time the cutter was primarily used for ATON and ice breaking. While the cutter primarily tended ATON during the post-war years, it also provided valuable assistance in bringing disabled vessels into port. Cowslip’s crew was also adept at fighting fires. Some of the more noteworthy instances included subduing blazes on board fellow USCG vessels Modoc on 12 February 1946 and the tug CG-¬64301 on 22 March 1947; fires on Boston pier on 11 May 1947 and in Portland Harbour on 25-26 January 1954; and a forest fire at Waldoboro, ME on 22-23 October 1947.
Perhaps the ship’s biggest fire-fighting effort was that on board the tanker Dean Reinauer in Portland Harbour during 30 December 1969-1 January 1970. Also, on two different occasions, 15 August 1947 and 5 August 1955, the tender brought water to Monhegan Island during times of acute shortage.
On 29 March 1973 the cutter was decommissioned and sold only to be re-acquired at Miami, FL on 19 January 1981 for $1.6 million. The cutter was intended as a replacement for USCGC Blackthorn which sank on 28 January 1980 after a collision with the tanker Capricorn in Tampa Bay Channel.
On 9 November 1981 USCGC Cowslip was re-commissioned and stationed at Governors Island, NY. She later moved to the USCG Yard at Curtis Bay, MD where she underwent major renovations from 13 January 1983-25 June 1984.
The work done to Cowslip, which cost $8.9 million, was completed in 1984 and required 16 months. The upgrades included new main engines, a Marine Sanitation Device system, upgraded electronics and navigation equipment, a propulsion control computer, and a central fluid power system. In addition, the ship's berthing spaces were renovated, the ship's office and radio room were expanded, additional storeroom space was added and the boom control booth was relocated. After renovation, Cowslip was assigned to Portsmouth, Virginia, where she stayed until 1995. In 1995 Cowslip moved to the west coast and called Astoria, Oregon home port until her retirement.
One notable incident in Cowslip's career is a collision with the 757-foot (231 m) container ship Ever Grade that occurred in the Columbia River in 1997. Although sustaining significant damage, Cowslip was repaired and sent back into service.
Cowslip was decommissioned for a second time in November 2002 and sold to the Nigerian Navy for use as a general purpose vessel.
Name: USCGC Cowslip (WLB-277)
Builder: Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota
Cost: $918,873
Laid down: 16 September 1941
Launched: 11 April 1942
Commissioned: 17 October 1942
Decommissioned: 1973
Re-commissioned: 1981
Decommissioned: 2002
Status: Sold to Nigerian Navy and subsequently re-christened Olepu.
General characteristics
Class & type: Cactus (Class A)
Displacement: 1,025 tons
Length: 180 ft (55 m)
Beam: 37 ft (11 m)
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors EMD 645 V8 diesel engines
Speed: 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Range: 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Complement: 48
Armament: Wartime: 20-mm guns, a 3-in cannon, and depth charges.
Peacetime: None
The attached image would appear to show the original artwork that the stamp designer has used.
Sources: Wikipedia; http://www.flickr.com/photos/usmilitary ... otostream/
http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Cowslip1942.asp
Peter Crichton.
Mozambique 2013 16.00MT sg?, scott?
Cowslip is one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 - 1944. All but one of the original tenders, the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-307), were built in Duluth.
After commissioning Cowslip was assigned to the 1st District and stationed at Boston, MA. During January-February 1943the cutter was used to break ice in the Cape Cod Canal. On 1 May the cutter was transferred to Portland, ME. During August 1944 and July 1945 Cowslip serviced buoys and anti-submarine nets at Argentia, Newfoundland.
After World War II Cowslip continued to be stationed at Portland, ME until her first decommissioning in March 1973. During this time the cutter was primarily used for ATON and ice breaking. While the cutter primarily tended ATON during the post-war years, it also provided valuable assistance in bringing disabled vessels into port. Cowslip’s crew was also adept at fighting fires. Some of the more noteworthy instances included subduing blazes on board fellow USCG vessels Modoc on 12 February 1946 and the tug CG-¬64301 on 22 March 1947; fires on Boston pier on 11 May 1947 and in Portland Harbour on 25-26 January 1954; and a forest fire at Waldoboro, ME on 22-23 October 1947.
Perhaps the ship’s biggest fire-fighting effort was that on board the tanker Dean Reinauer in Portland Harbour during 30 December 1969-1 January 1970. Also, on two different occasions, 15 August 1947 and 5 August 1955, the tender brought water to Monhegan Island during times of acute shortage.
On 29 March 1973 the cutter was decommissioned and sold only to be re-acquired at Miami, FL on 19 January 1981 for $1.6 million. The cutter was intended as a replacement for USCGC Blackthorn which sank on 28 January 1980 after a collision with the tanker Capricorn in Tampa Bay Channel.
On 9 November 1981 USCGC Cowslip was re-commissioned and stationed at Governors Island, NY. She later moved to the USCG Yard at Curtis Bay, MD where she underwent major renovations from 13 January 1983-25 June 1984.
The work done to Cowslip, which cost $8.9 million, was completed in 1984 and required 16 months. The upgrades included new main engines, a Marine Sanitation Device system, upgraded electronics and navigation equipment, a propulsion control computer, and a central fluid power system. In addition, the ship's berthing spaces were renovated, the ship's office and radio room were expanded, additional storeroom space was added and the boom control booth was relocated. After renovation, Cowslip was assigned to Portsmouth, Virginia, where she stayed until 1995. In 1995 Cowslip moved to the west coast and called Astoria, Oregon home port until her retirement.
One notable incident in Cowslip's career is a collision with the 757-foot (231 m) container ship Ever Grade that occurred in the Columbia River in 1997. Although sustaining significant damage, Cowslip was repaired and sent back into service.
Cowslip was decommissioned for a second time in November 2002 and sold to the Nigerian Navy for use as a general purpose vessel.
Name: USCGC Cowslip (WLB-277)
Builder: Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota
Cost: $918,873
Laid down: 16 September 1941
Launched: 11 April 1942
Commissioned: 17 October 1942
Decommissioned: 1973
Re-commissioned: 1981
Decommissioned: 2002
Status: Sold to Nigerian Navy and subsequently re-christened Olepu.
General characteristics
Class & type: Cactus (Class A)
Displacement: 1,025 tons
Length: 180 ft (55 m)
Beam: 37 ft (11 m)
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors EMD 645 V8 diesel engines
Speed: 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Range: 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Complement: 48
Armament: Wartime: 20-mm guns, a 3-in cannon, and depth charges.
Peacetime: None
The attached image would appear to show the original artwork that the stamp designer has used.
Sources: Wikipedia; http://www.flickr.com/photos/usmilitary ... otostream/
http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Cowslip1942.asp
Peter Crichton.
Mozambique 2013 16.00MT sg?, scott?