Melville USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). Letsgetstarted. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. Bobby Flores knows how deep service runs in his family. or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped inside the ship. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. It tore into the cutters hull, then pulled the ship down. Official websites use .gov Families of crew members of the Coast Guard . USCGC Blackthorn is raised from Tampa Bay shipping channel Watch on The Blackthorn was 180 feet by 37 feet with a maximum cruising speed of 13 knots. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped in the skin of the ship. USCGC Blackthorn was a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. Bruce Lafond was drowned when the Blackthorn capsized. Perhaps he gave his own life preserver to a colleague in need. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. Blackthorn ' s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the . Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. Before Mondays ceremony, Bobby Flores read about the Blackthorn on Wikipedia. U.S. Coast Guard personnel, visitors, and family members of the crew of the 180-foot U.S. Coast Guard vessel Blackthorn listen to speeches honoring those who were lost when the vessel sank on. The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of Capricorn's master and pilot. I could not think of a better way to honor and remember the 23 sailors we lost, than to introduce a man who I have gotten to know well over the last 2 years, a man who I respect, and a man who is a selfless leader to our Coast Guard men and women. The. Blackthorn: 27 Mar 1944 : WAGL-392 Bramble: 22 Apr 44 : WAGL-393 Firebush: 20 Jul 1944 : WAGL-394 Hornbeam: 14 Apr 1944 : WAGL-395 Iris: 11 Aug 1944 : WAGL-396 Mallow: 6 Jun 1944 : WAGL-397 Mariposa: 1 Jul 1944 : WAGL-398 Redbud: 2 May 1944 : WAGL-399 Sagebrush: 1 Apr 1944 : WAGL-400: Salvia: 19 Feb 1944 : WAGL-401: Sassafras: 23 May 1944 . After this tragedy, the Coast Guard made critical improvements to service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Department today. The remarks as prepared can be found below. 'This is tough': 3 killed, including 2 young children, in Hillsborough County fire, Hillsborough deputy helps rescue father, daughter stranded in water for almost an hour, 10 Weather: Showers early Monday then clearing skies, FWC: Boat captain killed by lightning strike in Brevard County, It's been 41 years since the deadly Blackthorn collision in Tampa Bay, Memorial service honors victims of 1980 Blackthorn tragedy. I probably floated with one of the life jackets that he tossed out.. Cemetery Visibility: Public. Looking for U.S. government information and services? There is a memorial service being held in St. Petersburg, Florida this morning for the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn. As local politicians and members of Flores family looked on, Brighter Future Florida, a local nonprofit founded by former Congressman David Jolly, unveiled a concrete statue of Flores for its Circle of Heroes underwater monument off the coast of Clearwater. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 . Blackthorn'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. Hes going to come back a man, Richard Flores said. Though 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. USCGC White Sumac (WLM-540) at anchor as Coast Guard and Navy divers assemble on the deck of the buoy tender to prepare to dive on the sunken cutter USCGC Blackthorn. Having just completed her overhaul at the Gulf Tampa Drydock Company, which included overhaul of the main propulsion generators, Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. Indeed, it has grown into the largest port in the region. Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. Every day, the members of DHS face inherent risk in their missions. A freak set of circumstances led to catastrophe the evening of Jan. 28, 1980. 10 Tampa Bay 263K subscribers Subscribe 10 Share 822 views 1 year ago Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. [1] [2] [3] An Iris -class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. The USCGC Blackthorn collided with the Liberian Tanker "Capricorn". LCDR George Sepel, the captain [] As a result of the collision, the BLACKTHORN was cpasized and sank, and 23 Coast Guardsmen were drowned. On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Lodge Member Tom Allor represented Detroit Lodge No. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. She served in San Pedro for several years before being brought into the gulf coast region to serve in Mobile, Alabama then transferred to Galveston, Texas for the final years of her service until the accident. Twenty-seven others managed to escape. By kjfitz @ 2010-12-06 12:05:55. All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. 223K views 2 years ago #Disaster #History On the 28th of January 1980 the USCGC Blackthorn collided with the SS Capricorn and would go down with nearly half her crew. The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral John B. Hayes, approved the report of the marine board of investigation on the collision between Blackthorn and Capricorn. And even once the crews did spot one another, an inexperienced Blackthorn officer failed to properly communicate with the Capricorn. 4 20 millimeter/80 caliber It is a privilege to be here with the survivors, families, friends and Coast Guard men and women at the 40th Anniversary of the tragic sinking of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn. Eighteen is how old Flores nephew Bobby Flores is now. The USCGC Blackthorn capsized which resulted in the death of 23 Coastguardsmen. The Blackthorn collision provided the impetus for the establishment of the . Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. Skip past search results. A memorial ceremony honoring the lives lost . The Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tanker Capricorn on Jan. 28, 1980, in the biggest peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. Blackthorn's captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel had departed the bridge to investigate a problem with the newly installed propulsion shaft. On Monday, it was the number 40. Theres some anxiety when I think, Hes going off to boot camp. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive however, Capricorns anchor was ready for letting go. [1] [2] [3] Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. Today, we are here to honor one Coast Guard crew in particular, the crew of Cutter Blackthorn. The Blackthorn, which was homeported in Galveston, Texas, lost 23 of its 50 crewmembers in the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. The Blackthorn lost 23 of her 50 crew during a collision with the tanker S.S. Capricorn . On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. Concurring with the marine board's determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized in his "Action" that the failure of the persons in charge of both vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the primary contributing cause. Momentum from the two vessels caused the Capricorn's port anchor chain to be stretched, capsizing Blackthorn. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. An official website of the United States government. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn lost their lives after colliding with a tanker in Tampa Bay. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. General characteristics ST. PETERSBURG, Fla Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn lost their lives after colliding with a tanker in Tampa Bay. Coast Guardsmen and women today are still performing this vital mission here in the Port of Tampa. On January 28, 1980, USCGC BLACKTHORN sank in Tampa Bay and 23 Coast Guard personnel lost their lives after colliding with the the 600 tanker S.S. CAPRICORN. Like the rest of the service's aging fleet, Blackthorn underwent numerous overhauls during its. Flores statue is the first in the monument to resemble a particular person. 1990- The President's Report on Polar Icebreaker Requirements has indicated a national need for three polar icebreakers operated by the Coast Guard plus one ice capable research vessel leased by the National Science Foundation. Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and attended Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. The momentum of the two vessels caused Capricorn's anchor chain to become taut which resulted in the Blackthorn's capsizing. courtesy of Wikipedia There is no greater example of service. Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn Cutter colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. The Alexander Hamilton was initially stationed in Oakland, California and performed patrols to the Bering Sea. In October 2010, it was announced that the third new Sentinel-class fast response cutter, a 154-foot patrol boat, would be named for Flores. Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. I have found no finer public servants anywhere in the United States Government. Mobile Layout The following crew list identifies those individuals who have yet to be awarded the Purple Heart for their sacrifice. In 19791980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. And in 2012, the Coast Guard dubbed a vessel the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores. Our Coast Guardsmen and women know this reality very well. Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. Vote 1 comment Best Add a Comment Blackthorn (WLB-391)black is one of the most popular wreck dives in the Tampa area. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. According to reports, Blackthorn had just completed. USCGC Blackthorn being raised, in July 1980. His heroic role was initially overlooked by the two official reports by the Coast Guard and the NTSB, but was later given the recognition he deserved. Every year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost in the collision. US Coast Guard photo. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. The board determined that the cause of the collision was the failure of both vessels to keep well to the side of the channel which lay on each ship's starboard (right) sides. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). ST. PETERSBURG, FL The Coast Guard held a memorial service Thursday for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg. Find USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Complement: 48Armament: One day, his group hopes to include 24 statues in total, Jolly said. Sources cite both "Willy" and "Billy" as nicknames, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FuQnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5487%2C4950715, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FuQnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6801,5003607, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UWdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5047,2072390&hl=en, "Skipper Pleads Fifth Amendment; Attorney Requests Immunity", http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UmdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7108,2497103&hl=en, "Getting his due Coast Guard hero receives honor posthumously", http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF9298B7BF1FC5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM, http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-telegram.com%2F2011%2F11%2F26%2F3552733%2Fnew-coast-guard-cutter-bears-name.html&date=2011-12-02, National Park Service Report on the 180-foot (55m) buoy tenders, "U.S. Coast Guard Sea-going & Coastal Buoy Tenders, 1939-2000", http://www.uscg.mil/history/WEBCUTTERS/WLB_Photo_Index.asp, Article about 20th Anniversary of the sinking, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota, 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph). Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. Hes going to take care of him.. In October 2010, it was announced that the third new Sentinel-class fast response cutter, a 154 foot patrol boat, would be named for Flores.[7]. One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman . This 180 foot long ship was finished on May 21, 1943 in Duluth, Minnesota and first serviced as a sea going buoy tender maintaining navigational aids. The captain was on the bridge, but a junior officer had the conn. Having been overtaken by the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan, Blackthorn continued almost in mid-channel. - I/ For more detailed information read, "Marine Accident Report--Collision of USCGC BLACKTHORN and U.S. Tankship CAPRICORN, Tampa, Florida, Januarv 28, 1980 (N TSR . It tragically sank at 8:20PM on January 28, 1980, at the entrance to Tampa Bay in Florida, near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Frye, a Blackthorn crew member for just 12 days, was below deck on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980, when the . [5][6] In 2000 he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism in peacetime. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A new statue honoring a hero of the USCGC Blackthorn tragedy was unveiled today before being added to a unique underwater memorial off the coast of Pinellas County. The ceremony consisted of remarks by Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the 7th Coast Guard . Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. General characteristics Class & type: Iris Displacement: 935 long tons (950 t) Length: 180 ft (55 m) Beam: 37 ft (11 m) Memorials inscribed with the names of the crewmembers who perished stand 2 miles north of the collision site and on Base Galveston. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On January 28, 1980, the Coast Guard buoy tender Blackthorn passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the black of night. The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral John B. Hayes, approved the report of the marine board of investigation on the collision between Blackthorn and Capricorn. If you served in USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. His grandfather, Robert, and uncle, Sam, served in the Navy. A Coast Guard Academy graduate, Sepel was among 114 lieutenant commanders . We remember and we honor the crew of Cutter Blackthorn; both those surviving and those lost. What: Coast Guard commemorates 40th anniversary of Blackthorn Tragedy, Location: Blackthorn Memorial Site FL-55, the southbound Pinellas County side of the Sunshine Skyway rest area, St. Petersburg, Florida 33752. She served in World War II, . A 501c3 nonprofit supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all ranks in the U.S. Sea Services! USCGC Blackthorn memorial. Forty years ago, 23 of these heroes lost their lives in the line of dutybut they have not, nor will they ever, pass from our memory. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. After this loss of life, critical improvements were made to Service readiness, training, and safety that still echo across the Service today. Capricorn began to turn left, but this would not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. Copyright Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO). Each of them is forever a part of the Coast Guards legacy. Blackthorn, Axe: Bullock, John: 12/3/17: Tamaroa: 86-91: Burton, Darrell: 9/10/18: Ojibwa : Byer, Howard: 3-26-18: Ojibwa: 75 . USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. But I put it in Gods hands. 7 and the Propeller Club - Port of Detroit at a memorial service held on the 30th Anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn disaster. In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida and upon completion was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of January 28, 1980. USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83) 282' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) [ edit] USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39) USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39) 270' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) [ edit] Main article: Famous-class cutter USCGC Thetis (WMEC-910), a Famous-class cutter USCGC Bear (WMEC-901) USCGC Tampa (WMEC-902) USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) USCGC Northland (WMEC-904) Blackthorn capsized after being ripped open by Capricorn's anchor, killing 23 of her crew, including Seaman Apprentice Billy Flores who was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal. Sort By. It was a typical day at school. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of the channel to allow the passenger ship to pass. Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California. Blackthorn was initially assigned to the Great Lakes for ice-breaking duties, but after only a few months, she was reassigned to San Pedro, California and served in San Pedro for several years before being brought into the Gulf Coast region to serve in Mobile, Alabama then Galveston, Texas. USCGC Ironwood (WAGL-297/WLB-297) was a Mesquite-class sea-going buoy tender operated by the United States Coast Guard. On 28 January 1980, while leaving Tampa Bay after the overhaul, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. 9,371 were here. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Tampa, Florida (FL), US. Blackthorn'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. With the officer of the deck confused in regard to the standard operating procedure, Blackthorns Captain issued orders for evasive action. Thursday marked the 41st anniversary of the Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of . Concurring with the marine board's determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized in his "Action" that the failure of the persons in charge of both vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the primary contributing cause. Having just been overtaken by a brightly lit cruise ship, the Blackthorn had maneuvered into the center of the . On January 28, 1980, USCGC BLACKTHORN sank in Tampa Bay and 23 Coast Guard personnel lost their lives after colliding with the the 600 tanker S.S. CAPRICORN. The vessels hit almost head-on, with the Blackthorn running down the port side of the much larger tanker. All of that is according to two government reports. USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities. About 2021 E.S.T., on January 28, 1980, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter BLACKTHORN and the U.S. tankship CAPRICORN collided in Tampa Bay, Florida. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1980, Sources cite both "Willy" and "Billy" as nicknames, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation, "Skipper Pleads Fifth Amendment; Attorney Requests Immunity", "Getting his due Coast Guard hero receives honor posthumously", "New Coast Guard cutter bears name of Benbrook man who saved others", "Mexican American hero of WWI up for Texas' highest military honor", National Park Service Report on the 180-foot (55m) buoy tenders, "U.S. Coast Guard Sea-going & Coastal Buoy Tenders, 1939-2000", Article about 20th Anniversary of the sinking, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BLACKTHORN, Galveston, Galveston County, TX, List of cutters of the United States Coast Guard, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USCGC_Blackthorn&oldid=1149906296, Historic American Engineering Record in Texas, Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 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