USCGC Bramble (WLB-392)

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Career

Laid down:	2 August 1943
Launched:	23 October 1943
Commissioned:	22 April 1944
Cost to build:	$925,464
Built by:	Zenith Dredge Company, Duluth, Minnesota
Decommissioned:	22 May 2003
Fate:	museum ship
General Characteristics
Displacement:	1,025 tons
Length:	180 feet
Beam:	37 feet
Propulsion:	2 General Motors EMD-645 V-8 Diesel engines
Speed:	13 knots
Range:	8000 miles at 13 knots
Complement:	48
Armament:	Wartime: 20mm guns, a 3 inch cannon and depth charges. Peacetime: None
Aircraft:	None
Motto:	Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

The USCGC Bramble (WLB-392) was built by Zenith Dredge Company in Duluth, Minnesota. Bramble'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 2 August 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 23 October 1943 and commissioned on 22 April 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $925,464.

Bramble is one of 39 original 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders, the USCGC Ironwood (WLB-307), were built in Duluth.

In the spring on 1945, she departed the Great Lakes to her first homeport of San Pedro, California, to perform aids to navigation duties. Later that year, Bramble was transferred to Juneau, Alaska For supply and aids to navigation work around the Aleutian Islands.

After World War II, Bramble's homeport was changed to San Francisco. Except for a brief stay in Hawaii in 1946, she remained assigned to San Francisco until 1949. From July to October 1947, Bramble participated in "Operation Crossroads," the first test of an atomic bomb's effect on surface ships, at Bikini Island.

In 1949 Bramble was reassigned to San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved again in 1953 to Miami, Florida. About this time renewed interest in the Northwest Passage brought about another mission for Bramble.

The Coast Guard Cutters Bramble, Spar (WLB-206) and Storis (WMEC-28) were selected to attempt a forced passage along the northern shore of Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. This feat has been an ambition of mariners for 400 years. Preparations for the difficult voyage included fitting Bramble with a stainless steel propeller and strengthening her bow to withstand tremendous pressures created by the Arctic ice pack. Bramble departed for this historic adventure from Miami on 24 May 1957 en route Seattle, Washington via the Panama Canal. On 1 July 1957 the task force departed Seattle for the Atlantic via the Bering Straits and Arctic Ocean. The ships traveled through 4,500 miles of semi-charted water in 64 days to recross the Arctic Circle into the Atlantic. On 2 December 1957 Bramble returned to Miami. The success of the mission distinguished the three cutters as the first surface ships to circumnavigate the North American continent.

In 1962 Bramble transferred to Detroit, Michigan to perform the missions of aids to navigation, search and rescue, icebreaking and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes. Bramble completed a major renovation and overhaul in 1974, during which her engines were removed and rebuilt and her berthing areas were expanded and modernized. A new hydraulic boom was also installed.

Upon completion of the major renovation in September 1975, Bramble reported to Port Huron, Michigan, her present homeport. In addition to her normal duties, Bramble has been involved in some unique missions. She has frequently served as the Patrol Commander for the Port Huron-to-Mackinac sailboat race. This race started in 1925 and is one of the largest freshwater sailboat races in the country, with an average of 300 boats competing each year. Bramble has also set buoys for the International Freedom Festival in the Detroit River.

From December 1986 to April 1987, Bramble performed law enforcement duties in the Caribbean. Bramble was involved in six cases during which one vessel was seized, three persons arrested and 50 tons of marijuana confiscated.

From June to November 1989, Bramble again underwent major renovations in Toledo, Ohio. Her original engines were replaces with General Motors electromotive Division EMD-645 V-8 diesel engines. New 200 kW ship's service generators, boilers, associated plumbing and electrical cable were also part of the project.

1994 marked the Golden Anniversary of Bramble's commissioning, along with her Great Lakes sister ships USCGC Acacia (WLB-406), home ported in Charlevoix, Michigan, and Sundew (WLB-404), home ported in Duluth, Minn.

From December 1997 to April 1998 the Bramble was involved in "Operation Snowbird." This took the cutter down south where the main mission was to help train marine police of 10 eastern Caribbean nations. While down south, the crew also performed work on aids to navigation and participated with Venezuela in a joint law enforcement operation. During this operation Bramble steamed over 12,165 miles.

Aids to navigation is Bramble's primary mission; aids to navigation assist the merchant fleet and private vessels in safely navigating waterways. Bramble's area of responsibility includes eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. Currently, Bramble is responsible for maintaining 187 buoys, 1 NOAA weather buoy and three fog signals. During winter months Bramble's capabilities as an icebreaker enable her to escort ships through the ice, assist ships in distress and break ice for relief.

Bramble primarily deploys twice a year for buoy operations. In late fall or early winter, Bramble spends between eight-10 weeks for "buoy decommissioning" – removing buoys and installing temporary winter marks (small buoys not normally damaged by ice). During this period approximately 101 lighted buoys will be decommissioned. Then, starting in early spring as the lake ice season begins to subside, Bramble starts the eight-10 week "buoy commissioning" season to replace winter marks with regular buoys. Along with commissioning the buoys, there are approximately 86 unlighted aids that must be services and inspected in the spring. Her winter months are normally spent, when not icebreaking, undergoing maintenance and training; her summer months are usually spent in regularly-scheduled drydock or dockside availabilities, training conferences and festival celebrations throughout the lakes.

Throughout Bramble's service it has been awarded many awards and ribbons. She has received the Department of Transportation Gold Medal, CG Unit Commendation, CG Meritorious Unit Commendation, CG "E" Ribbon, CG Bicentennial Unit Commendation, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Arctic Service Medal and the Special OPS Service Ribbon.

With new technology evolving, the door opened for a new class of cutters to take over the position that the 180-footers held. The new Juniper-class cutters started replacing the 180s'. The new 225-foot cutters have the primary mission of buoy tending but also are able to perform multiple missions like its predecessor. The 225's also are able to help with environmental cleanups, search and rescue, law enforcement and icebreaking.

On 22 May 2003, the Bramble was decommissioned. The replacement for Bramble is the new Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock (WLB-214), a 225 Juniper-class. Bramble is now a museum ship, and is docked at the Seaway Terminal.

180-class Coast Guard Cutters

Class A (Balsam)