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USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) facts for kids

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Ingham.jpg
USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)
Quick facts for kids
History
United States
Name
  • Samuel D. Ingham
  • Ingham (May 1937)
Namesake Samuel D. Ingham
Awarded 30 January 1934
Builder Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Laid down 1 May 1935
Launched 3 June 1936
Sponsored by Katherine Ingham Brush
Commissioned 12 September 1936
Decommissioned 27 May 1988
Reclassified
  • WPG-35 (1 July 1941)
  • WAGC-35 (24 July 1944)
  • WHEC-35 (1 May 1965)
Motto Never too old to serve
Status Museum ship
General characteristics
Displacement 2,700 long tons (2,700 t)
Length 327 ft (100 m)
Beam 41 ft (12 m)
Installed power
  • 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers
  • 6,200 hp (4,600 kW)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Westinghouse double reduction geared steam turbine engines
  • 2 × Propellers
Speed 21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range 8,270 nmi (15,320 km; 9,520 mi)
Complement
  • (1937) 12 officers, 4 warrants, 107 enlisted
  • (1941) 16 officers, 5 warrants, 202 enlisted
  • (1966) 10 officers, 3 warrants, 134 enlisted
Armament
  • Depending on the time period:
  • 1 to 4 × 5" (127 mm)/38 caliber Mk.30
  • 2 × 5" (127 mm)/51 caliber
  • 2 × 6-pounder saluting guns
  • varying numbers of .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns
Aircraft carried originally 1 Grumman Duck seaplane, later removed
USCGC Ingham
USCGC Ingham (WHEC 35) 469.jpg
Ingham preserved in Key West.
USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) is located in Florida
USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)
Location in Florida
Location Key West, Florida
Built 1935
Architect US Coast Guard; Philadelphia Navy Yard
NRHP reference No. 92001879
Significant dates
Added to NRHP 27 April 1992
Designated NHL 27 April 1992

USCGC Ingham (WPG/WAGC/WHEC-35) is one of only two preserved Treasury-class United States Coast Guard Cutters. Originally Samuel D. Ingham, she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham. She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

History 1934–1988

Ingham was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Treasury Department awarded her contract on 30 January 1934. Her keel was laid on 1 May 1935, and she was launched on 3 June 1936, along with her sisters USCGC William J. Duane (WPG-33), USCGC Taney (WHEC-37) and the USCGC George W. Campbell (WPG-32). Ingham was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

Ingham USNavyYardSouthCarolina USNavy 11Oct1944 cropped
Ingham at U.S. Navy Yard, S.C., 11 Oct 1944

Ingham served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-boats, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942, during one crossing, Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626. After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship and she would later take part in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Ingham was the last active warship in the US fleet with a U-Boat kill.

Convoys escorted

Convoy Escort Group Dates Notes
HX 164 10–19 Dec 1941 from Newfoundland to Iceland
ON 49 27 Dec 1941-5 Jan 1942 from Iceland to Newfoundland
HX 171 22–30 Jan 1942 from Newfoundland to Iceland
ON 63 7–13 Feb 1942 from Iceland to Newfoundland
HX 177 MOEF group A2 1–8 March 1942 from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 77 MOEF group A2 18–26 March 1942 from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 190 MOEF group A3 20–27 May 1942 from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 102 MOEF group A3 10–17 June 1942 from Northern Ireland to Iceland
ON 116 25–29 July 1942 Iceland shuttle
SC 93 29 July 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 117 31 July-3 Aug 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 124 24–27 Aug 1942 Iceland shuttle
SC 97 29 Aug-1 Sep 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 132 21–24 Sep 1942 Iceland shuttle
SC 101 28–30 Sep 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 136 5–9 Oct 1942 Iceland shuttle
SC 103 10 Oct 1942 Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 107 5–7 Nov 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 144 8–15 Nov 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 152 11–15 Dec 1942 Iceland shuttle
SC 112 16–21 Dec 1942 Iceland shuttle
ON 160 14–21 Jan 1943 Iceland shuttle
HX 223 23–27 Jan 1943 Iceland shuttle
ON 175 4 Feb 1943 Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 118 5–9 Feb 1943 Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 121 9–11 March 1943 Iceland shuttle
Convoys HX 229/SC 122 19–21 March 1943 Iceland shuttle

Post-war service

In August 1966, Ingham rescued lone sailor William Willis off the US eastern seabord, landing him at the Argentia Coast Guard station.

Ingham USNavy 1953 cropped
Ingham in 1953
USCGC Ingham Logbook July 1968
USCGC Ingham Logbook July 1968
USCGC Ingham Logbook August 1968
USCG Ingham Logbook August 1968

Ingham earned two Presidential Unit Citations for her service in Operation SEA LORDS and Operation SWIFT RAIDER during the Vietnam War on a deployment from 3 August 1968 to 28 February 1969.

On completion of her deployment to Vietnam, Ingham returned to regular Coast Guard duties, serving until 1988, when she was decommissioned. At that time, Ingham was the second oldest commissioned U.S. warship afloat, second only to USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts.

Museum Ship and Memorial

Ingham PointPleasant Delgado 1990 cropped
Ingham at Patriots Point in 1990

Acquired by Patriot's Point (located near Charleston, South Carolina) in 1989, Ingham was displayed along with the aircraft carrier Yorktown, the destroyer Laffey, and the submarine Clamagore until 20 August 2009.

On 20 August 2009 Ingham was towed to the Coast Guard piers in North Charleston, South Carolina for minor repairs and to await dry docking. She underwent a short dry docking period at Detyen's Shipyard in North Charleston and was then towed to Key West, Florida arriving there on 24 November 2009. She is now a member of Key West Maritime Memorial Museum.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard has declared Ingham the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action in World War II and Vietnam. These 912 casualties are identified on a memorial plaque on Ingham's quarterdeck. Ingham was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.

Awards

Ingham-Ribbons
Ribbons and Medals painted on in January 2010.
  • Presidential Unit Citation – 2 awards
  • Coast Guard Unit Commendation - 2 awards with "O" device
  • Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation – 2 awards
  • Coast Guard E Ribbon – 3 awards
  • China Service Medal
  • American Defense Service Medal with "A" device
  • American Campaign Medal with one battle star
  • European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three battle stars
  • Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars
  • World War II Victory Medal
  • Navy Occupation Service Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal with star
  • Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
  • Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
  • Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
  • Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
  • Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star
  • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Gallery

  • Ingham USNavy 1953 cropped

    Ingham in 1953

  • Ingham

    The Ingham ca. 1965

  • USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) off Vietnam c1968

    USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) off Vietnam ca. 1968

  • The USCGC Ingham in Key West

    Ingham in Key West in 2019

  • Officer's Stateroom

    Executive Officer's stateroom

  • The bow

    View of the bow of the Ingham with a 5"/38 caliber gun, and a 6-pounder saluting gun

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