The USCGC Citrus (WAGL-300 / WLB-300) was a Cactus-class (also known as A-class) buoy tender of the United States Coast Guard. Commissioned in 1942, she served for over 51 years, primarily on the U.S. West Coast and in Alaskan waters, maintaining aids to navigation and performing various other Coast Guard missions.
History
- Construction and Commissioning: Citrus was built by the Basalt Rock Company in Napa, California. She was launched on December 3, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and commissioned into service on May 2, 1942. Her initial hull designation was WAGL-300, reflecting her role as a "Coast Guard Auxiliary Light Tender." This was later changed to WLB-300 (Coast Guard Buoy Tender, Long Endurance) in 1965 as part of a service-wide reclassification.
- Service Life: Throughout her career, Citrus was stationed at various homeports, including Galveston, Texas; San Pedro, California; Eureka, California; Coos Bay, Oregon; and Ketchikan, Alaska. Her primary mission was the maintenance of coastal and inland aids to navigation, which included servicing buoys, lighthouses, and daymarkers. She also performed critical secondary missions such as search and rescue (SAR), maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and light icebreaking.
- Decommissioning and Fate: After more than half a century of service, the USCGC Citrus was decommissioned on September 25, 1993. Following her decommissioning, she was sold and converted into a private yacht named Patriot.
Design and Characteristics
The Cactus-class buoy tenders, including Citrus, were built during World War II and designed for robustness and versatility. They were critical to maintaining maritime safety during the war and through the latter half of the 20th century.- Class: Cactus-class (A-class) buoy tender
- Hull Number: WAGL-300 (1942–1965), WLB-300 (1965–1993)
- Displacement: 935 tons (full load)
- Length: 180 feet (55 m)
- Beam: 37 feet (11 m)
- Draft: 12 feet (3.7 m)
- Propulsion: Diesel-electric; two General Motors 8-268A diesel engines, two Westinghouse electric motors, driving a single shaft.
- Speed: 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
- Complement: Approximately 6 officers and 48 enlisted personnel.
- Features: Equipped with a powerful crane for buoy handling, robust hull construction for working in various sea conditions, and facilities to support extended missions.
Service
The USCGC Citrus played a vital role in ensuring safe navigation along the U.S. West Coast and in Alaska's challenging waters. Her crew conducted countless operations to deploy, retrieve, and repair buoys, often in adverse weather conditions. Beyond aids to navigation, Citrus participated in numerous search and rescue missions, saving lives at sea. She also enforced maritime laws, conducted fisheries patrols, and responded to environmental incidents, showcasing the multi-mission capability expected of Coast Guard cutters. Her long and distinguished career exemplified the enduring service of the Cactus-class tenders.References
- United States Coast Guard Historian's Office records.
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter History File.