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NEWS RELEASE
The U.S. Coast Guard Tug Association
brought the former Coast Guard Cutter Apalachee (WYTM-71) to Cleveland in June of 2009 to be restored and presented as a maritime and Coast Guard museum ship. The Apalachee is a 110-ft icebreaking tug and the sister ship to the USCGC Kaw, which hailed from Cleveland for many years; the latter having provided icebreaking services for, among many others, the steamship William G. Mather,
a museum ship currently in Cleveland, for many years.
The Apalachee will become an important attraction to Cleveland’s Lakefront revitalization project. As a USCG museum, a platform for educational opportunities, and a working venue for organizations such as the Sea Scouts, Navy Sea Cadets, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Coast Guard and Navy reserves, the Apalachee will become an important destination in Cleveland’s already growing harbor front attractions.
The Tug Association is seeking volunteers and donations to help in the restoration of the ship. Decommissioned by the Coast Guard some 22 years ago, she is in amazing shape with her paint still in USCG colors. Mechanically, she is sound and fit for sea. She is the last of the 17 WYTM class ships in existence that is in this
good condition. The others have been sold into commercial marine work and pushed hard, or lost to history.
The Apalachee was built in 1943 by Ira S. Bushey & Sons, Brooklyn, NY. Her single propeller is powered by a 1,000 horsepower electric motor, driven by 2 Elliot Electric Company generators, driven by 2 Ingersoll Rand 8-cylinder diesels.
This "C" class 110-foot tug was contracted for on 8 June 1941. Their design was based on the earlier 110-foot Calumet and Raritan class designs which entered commissioned service beginning in 1934. The newer design simply incorporated changes needed for operations in Greenland waters as well as better fire-fighting capabilities.
Apalachee was commissioned on 26 November 1943. She was the first of the
"C" class to enter service. She was assigned to Baltimore, MD where she served through 1984. Throughout her career, her main missions were law enforcement, search and rescue patrols, fire fighting, and icebreaking when needed.
From 11 to 12 June 1965, she assisted in fighting the fire aboard the Columbian motor vessel Ciudad de Nieva near Baltimore. On 13 February 1968, she assisted in fighting a fire on Pier 5 in Baltimore. On 4 June 1969, she assisted in fighting the fire aboard the motor vessel Provence Town, again, near Baltimore. She transferred to Portland, ME on 17 September 1984 where she served until she was decommissioned on 11 April 1986.
The Apalachee is scheduled to arrive at Cleveland’s Whiskey Island, Wendy Park complex in early June 2009, under her own power, delivered by a “vintage” crew of former USCG 110-ft tug sailors.
She will tie up at the old Coast Guard Station there on Whiskey Island.
Apalachee needs you help. Three areas you
can contribute to are Material, Volunteering, and DONATIONS. Although
she is in amazingly good shape she still needs routine maintenance and
painting. Original equipment has been removed and navigation equipment
is minimal. A want list will be posted soon so if you have anything on
this list and care to donate it, we'd be most appreciative. And you can
get a tax write off on top of doing something to benefit the Apalachee.
Donations
can be sent to the address below. Material donations probably do not fit
in our post office box so please contact us directly to make shipping arrangements.
Coast Guard Tug Assoc.
PO Box 771535
Lakewood, OH 44107
OR
The Coast Guard Tug Association
is a non-profit 501 C3 Veteran's
organization located in Cleveland, Ohio, whose mission is to
preserve the heritage and history of U.S. Coast Guard Tugs, and to
continue the camaraderie and Esprit de Corps of those veterans who
served in them.
Our goal is to educate the public of the vital role these cutters
played in search and rescue, icebreaking for commercial
shipping
and maintaining aids to navigation; and highlight the
important role they played
in United States maritime history. With our mission clearly defined,
please explore this website, learn about the Coast Guard's work horse cutters.
Learn about their rolls in maritime safety
past present and future. Learn what it is like to be
"Guardian Of The Seas".
The Life
blood of our organization is it's members. We are financially supported
by all those with a keen interest in preserving the history
of Coast Guard Tugs.
The CGTA
is a 501 C3 non-profit organization and donations are fully tax
deductable. We have provided a link here for a convenient way to support
us with your donation. Please help us preserve the history of the United
States Coast Guard using the donation button below.
