Installed power: 2 Cooper-Bessemerdiesel engines (LockA locked padlock) Ironwood participated in the Fleet Week celebrations in Portland, Oregon in 2017. 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. 11 memorials. Her primary missions are Aids to . Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Commander Sepel, as he had made an inexperienced junior officer (Ensign Ryan) officer of the deck and allowed him to navigate the ship through an unfamiliar waterway with heavy traffic. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action. (The Coast Guard Tug Association WILL NOT provide or "sell" its Member List and contact information to any other organization without proper authority) CGTA MEMBERSHIP. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. In 19791980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. [1][2][3] ^ Return to Top His family was presented with the Medal on 28 January 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Complement: 48Armament: Letsgetstarted. The U.S. Coast Guard held a. The death toll may likely have been much higher if it weren't for the courage of one crew member whose heroism went unrecognized for over two decades following the tragedy. Located in 80 feet of water, this 180 foot Coast Guard Tender lies about 20 miles offshore in the Pinellas Artificial Reef Site #2, and is broken into 2 large sections that lie upside down. 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. 27 crew members survived. The ceremony consisted of remarks by Adm. Peter Brown, commander of the 7th Coast Guard . The Blackthorn sank, taking 23 crewmen with her. An Iris class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. The vessels hit almost head-on, with the Blackthorn running down the port side of the much larger tanker. Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the USCGC Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. January 28 marks 40 years since the USCGC Blackthorn sank, killing 23 Coast Guard members. 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. On January 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn collided with a tanker in Tampa Bay, Florida.Seaman Apprentice William Flores, just eighteen years old and a year out of boot camp, stayed on board as the cutter sank, strapping the life jacket locker open with his belt, giving his own life jacket to those struggling in the water, and giving aid to those wounded on board. Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement by using only radiotelephone communications failed to be an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals. So how does Richard Flores feel about seeing his son follow in William Flores footsteps? Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement by using only radiotelephone communications failed to be an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals. Unable to make radio contact with Blackthorn, Capricorn's pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard. For years after the accident, Clutter pushed for the Coast Guard to honor Flores. Although refloated, the BLACKTHORN was a total loss. 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. LCDR George Sepel, the captain [] Coast Guardsmen and women today are still performing this vital mission here in the Port of Tampa. Uncle Billy served in the Coast Guard. James Rovolis' brother George was among the crew who lost their lives in the tragedy. It is sorted by length down to 65', the minimum length of a USCG cutter. Hes going to take care of him.. But George's life was cut short on Jan. 28, 1980 when the USCGC Blackthorn collided with a tanker and sank in the mouth of Tampa Bay. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. . Thirty years ago tonight, having just completed a 3 month overhaul, the Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay. USCGC William Flores is a Sentinel-class cutter scheduled to serve in Miami, Florida upon her commissioning. At least one of the passing Capricorn and Blackthorn ships was too close to the center of the channel near the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Theres some anxiety when I think, Hes going off to boot camp. His actions saved a number of lives during the accident. Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. Water began gushing into the Blackthorn. [1][2][3] Richard Flores, one year older than Billy, has seen his son Bobby, a high school senior in Texas, grow older than his heroic brother. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. USCGC Ironwood (WAGL-297/WLB-297) was a Mesquite-class sea-going buoy tender operated by the United States Coast Guard. And even once the crews did spot one another, an inexperienced Blackthorn officer failed to properly communicate with the Capricorn. Please join me in welcoming the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast GuardAdmiral Karl Schultz. The cutter eventually sank into the water.\r\rTwenty-seven crew members working on Blackthorn were rescued during the incident, while 23 others died that day.\r\rEvery year on Jan. 28, different communities and groups come together to remember the lives lost after the collision in Tampa Bay. [1] [2] [3] An Iris -class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. 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All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. Meanwhile the tanker Capricorn was standing into the bay. As our nations Coast Guard, you courageously head out on dark and stormy nights so that others may live. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. If you served in USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391), Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Flores statue is the first in the monument to resemble a particular person. Melville USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender (WLB). She currently serves as an artificial reef for recreational diving and fishing. Her normal sailing complement is 16 personnel. 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. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Beam: 37ft (11m) 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. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn capsized, killing 23 of her crew. The sea, while often characterized as mysterious and majestic, can be just as dark and treacherous under any circumstances. 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. As a result of the collision, the BLACKTHORN was cpasized and sank, and 23 Coast Guardsmen were drowned. 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]. 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. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crew members were rescued. Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180 buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. This would be the worst. The USCGC Blackthorn collided with the Liberian Tanker "Capricorn". Even given all of those factors, the initial collision between the two ships wasnt catastrophic. The item Marine casualty report : USCGC Blackthorn, SS Capricorn, collision in Tampa Bay on 28 January 1980 with loss of life, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation report and commandant's action represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Indiana State Library. the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackthornand the U.S. tankship Capricorncollided in Tampa Bay near the junction of Cut 'A' and Mullet Key Channels. In the end the primary responsibility for the collision was placed with Commander Sepel as he had permitted an inexperienced junior officer to conn the ship in an unfamiliar waterway with heavy traffic. Every day, the members of DHS face inherent risk in their missions. 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. While the Port of Tampa Bay has always been a valuable port, it is different than it was 40 years ago. He drowned about 15 feet away from me, remembered Jeff Huse, a survivor of the Blackthorn. practice will most likelv place in jeopardy not onlv the Coast Guard vessel and crew, hut also other vessels which the Coast Guard vessel might meet in the same waterway, such According to reports, Blackthorn had just completed. [4] The cutter was raised for the investigation, and was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was complete. Bobby Flores plans to continue the family tradition as a future member of the Marines. With the officer of the deck confused in regard to the standard operating procedure, Blackthorns Captain issued orders for evasive action. In 2000, the service heeded Clutters calls, awarding William Flores posthumously with the Coast Guard Medal, the forces highest peacetime service award. 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. To submit applications for TAMPA Purple Hearts, please contact Ms. Nora Chidlow, Coast Guard Archivist, at nora.l.chidlow@uscg.mil or 202-559 . All but one of the original tenders, USCGCIronwood(WLB-297), were built in Duluth. Twenty-three Blackthorn crew members were killed in the accident, the worst peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. Before Mondays ceremony, Bobby Flores read about the Blackthorn on Wikipedia. Wartime: 1 3"/50 caliber single mount 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. After two land assignments, he was assigned to the USCGC Blackthorn, a buoy tender. On 28 January 1980, she collided with the tanker SS Capricorn. The board determined that the cause of the casualty was the failure of both vessels to keep well to that side of the channel which lay on their starboard (right) side. A 501c3 Nonprofit Supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all Ranks in the U.S. Sea Services. Eighteen is how old Flores nephew Bobby Flores is now. Vote 1 comment Best Add a Comment Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. As Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, I have the great honor to lead the 240,000 men and women of this Department. To those who traveled to join usthank you for being here to honor the brave men lost forty years ago today. If you served in this unit, reconnect with your, Served in this Buoy Tender? At approximately 8:21 p.m. on Jan. 28, 1980, USCGC Blackthorn collided with the U.S. tankship Capricorn in Tampa Bay waters near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Coast Guard explains. On January 28th, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn was outbound from Tampa Bay, having just completed a total refit, as the tanker Capricorn was inbound. Though collision was imminent, initial damage was not extensive however, Capricorns anchor was ready for letting go. [9] In May 2021, Flores was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor for his actions on USCGC Blackthorn.[10]. Official website This page was last edited on 21 July 2021, at 17:41 (UTC). And each of them is indelibly stamped into the fabric of our Department. There were similar findings on the part of Blackthorn's commanding officer and officer of the deck. Their commitment and dedication, we will never forget," Keynote speaker VADM Steven D. Poulin said. 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. 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. One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman Apprentice (SA) William Ray Flores, the namesake of our Tampa Chapter. Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized. When requested by Kazakhstan to pass, the Blackthorn navigated starboard permitting Kazakhstan to pass. 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. 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. The collision occurred in the evening of 28 January 1980, near the junction of Mullet Key and Cut "A" Channels approximately three-quarters of a mile from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [2] Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and attended Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation. The BUCKTHORN works two seasons buoy trips that consist of the most buoys of any unit in the Ninth District. Range: 8,000nmi (15,000km; 9,200mi) at 13kn (24km/h; 15mph) Tampa, Florida (FL), US. Although some accounts of the disaster say Flores wore a life jacket himself, his body was found without one, his brother Sam Flores said. USCGC Blackthorn (WAGL/WLB-391) was a n Iris-class, 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. Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores was originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico and a graduate of Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was . Skip past search results. 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. Looking for U.S. government information and services? 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. On Monday, it was the number 40. Families of crew members of the Coast Guard . USCG Blackthorn. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. For now, the number is 13. SA Flores paid the ultimate price after locating the life jacket locker, ensuring all survivors in the water received a life jacket, and staying with the sinking ship determined to save the lives of his shipmates trapped in the sinking hull. 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. Some contend that the brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. And in 2012, the Coast Guard dubbed a vessel the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores. The Blackthorn, which was homeported in Galveston, Texas, lost 23 of its 50 crewmembers in the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster. 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. 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. Capricorn began to turn left, but this course would not allow Capricorn and Blackthorn to pass port-to-port, as the rules of navigation generally required. Blackthorn Wreck Tampa Wiki 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. Twenty-seven others managed to escape. U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores was among those killed in the 1980 accident in the waters of Tampa Bay. Earlier they had been overtaken by the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan, Blackthorn pulled to the side to allow her to pass, when requested, and then continued almost in mid-channel. I have found no finer public servants anywhere in the United States Government. USCGC Blackthorn being raised, in July 1980. Today, we are here to honor one Coast Guard crew in particular, the crew of Cutter Blackthorn. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Blackthorn sank after colliding with the tanker Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan 28, 1980. It tragically sank at 8:20PM on January 28, 1980, at the entrance to Tampa Bay in Florida, near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. [1] [2] [3] Like her sister ships, she is equipped for coastal security patrols, interdiction of drug and people smugglers, and search and rescue. 10 Tampa Bay 263K subscribers Subscribe 10 Share 822 views 1 year ago Exactly 42 years ago, 23 crew members aboard the U.S. An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. The Blackthorn collision has forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 . In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. Hes going to come back a man, Richard Flores said. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403. Peacetime: None. The brightly lit passenger vessel obscured the ability of the crews of Blackthorn and Capricorn to see each other. Each of them is forever a part of the Coast Guards legacy. 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. By kjfitz @ 2010-12-06 12:05:55. From the official U.S. Coast Guard history on Blackthorn: "Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. The remarks as prepared can be found below. Laurent, became the All of that is according to two government reports. courtesy of Wikipedia Almost head-on, with the officer of the collision, the Blackthorn was outward from. Pilot blew two short whistle blasts to have the ships pass starboard-to-starboard so how does Flores! 23 crewmen with her USCGC Ironwood ( WAGL-297/WLB-297 ) was a 180-foot sea going buoy tender among those in! 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