USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77)
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The United States Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WPG-77) was built at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan in 1932. Prior to World War II, her permanent station was Grand Haven, Michigan.
On 15 June 1942, while escorting convoy XB-25 from Cape Cod to Halifax, she had two submarine contacts, and made attacks. No sinkings were confirmed.
From 1 July until 23 August 1942, she was on weather patrol.
On 10 June 1943, she began escorting convoy GS-24 from Narsarssuak to St. John's, Newfoundland, in company with the Mojave (Flag), Tampa, Storis, and Algonquin, the convoy consisting of USAT Fairfax and USS Raritan.
At 0510 on the 13 June, dense black and yellow smoke was reported rising from the Escanaba. She sank at 0513. Storis and Raritan were ordered to investigate and rescue survivors while the rest of the convoy began zigzagging and steering evasive courses to avoid submarines. At 0715 the two cutters returned, having rescued two survivors and found the body of Lt. Robert H. Prause, which was on the Raritan. No explosion had been heard by the other escort vessels. The entire crew of 103 was lost with the exception of these two men.
[edit] Sources
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- The Coast Guard at War
