We ran across one of those items on eBay that you only find on eBay. Sure, there are a number of great new items on the site, from designer clothing at the Fashion Outlet to the latest model car on eBay Motors, and numerous tablet computers, smartphones, and eBook readers. Truly the new eBay integrated advertising campaign for the holidays, “buy it new, buy it now” resonates throughout the site. But the flip side of the campaign says “when it’s on your mind, it’s on eBay,” and we find that to definitely be true. We just never realized that, for some people, the thing on their minds would be a decommissioned Coast Guard cutter.
Indeed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the historic USCGC Acushnet, designated the “oldest commission cutter” following the decommissioning of the USCGC Storis.
The Acushnet is a US diver class vessel, built for the US Navy in 1943. The vessel was transferred to the US Coast Guard in 1946, where it acquired the name Acushnet. Most recently the vessel patrolled the Arctic Sea. From the auction description:
“Homeported in Ketchikan Alaska, USCGC ACUSHNET (WMEC 167) is the oldest commisioned cutter serving the U.S. Coast Guard earning her the title “Queen of the Fleet” and ceremonial gold hull numbers. [The Acushnet] achieved an impressive service record during World War Two before being transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946.
From Ketchikan, ACUSHNET patrols from the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific, and south to the Continental United States carrying out her primary missions of Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Maritime Law Enforcement, and Environmental Protection.”
The Acushnet is an authentic piece of American history, one that anyone would be proud to own. The US Coast Guard notes that the “Acushnet’s operational history as USS Shackle includes participation in the salvage efforts at Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, Eniwetok, Guam, Saipan, and Japan. The salvage ship also played active roles in the battles over Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During WWII it earned three battle stars.”
In addition, the Acushnet participated in various search and rescue missions, including the Mariel boatlift from Cuba in 1980. From 1990 to 1998, the Acushnet patrolled the waters from the waters of southern California to the Bering Sea. In 1998, it was transferred to Ketchikan, Alaska, where it continued its mission of homeland defense, search and rescue, and law enforcement. The cutter’s motto, is “Juvate, Servate, Confirmate,” which means “Help, Save, Strengthen.”
So, what can you do with a retired Navy cutter? The listing indicates that the vessel can be modified or retrofitted as a super yacht with extraordinary living accommodations, or that it could be used as a dive vessel, for research, salvage, and so on. More fancifully, you could use it to locate old wrecks and for treasure-hunting. Happy sailing!
No matter what, be aware of one detail stated on the listing:
“There are no weapons or artillery onboard or included in the sale.”
Very nice i think we have her brother here in the philippines it was renamed BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, a 378-foot Hamilton-class cutter which was obtained by the Philippine government under the United States’ Foreign Sales Military Program, embarked on its three-week voyage to the Philippines from the United States Coast Guard’s Alameda Island in Northern California on July 18.
I would donate this vessel to a not-for-profit shelter. I know that many domestic violence shelters are packed full and do not always have the best living conditions. Giving this boat as well as paying for the remodeling of it could give these women something more in life. It could spark new job careers, new interests, and new outlooks on life.
The vessel could be used for housing of the women. Nothing makes for a better DV prevention vehicle than a boat with living quarters!
I would love to have it
I think Jordan makes an excellent point. It could also be converted to a clinic or hospital ship and sailed abroad or domestically to different places that require aid. I think it would be tax dollars well spent.
What an interesting story about the life and times of a military Ship, that went from being a U.S. Navy Ship to a U.S. C. G. Cutter. I read that during W.W. II a lot of U.S. Navy Troop Transport Ships were also transfered from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Coast Guard. My father was on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ironwood during W.W. II. I have a picture of it with a Japanese Mini-sub tied along side of her, that the ship and her crew captured in the South Pacific.
Man I would leave it as is and donate it to a museum.
That’s a piece of history right there.
I would donate it to Whale Wars campain.
An unarmed warship is like beer with no alcohol.
She’s been a great ship. I was stationed on her as a Radioman from 1964 thru 1966. She did ocean going rescues and was based at Maine State pier in Portland, Maine. Her “on duty” status was anchored in P-Town harbor (Cape Cod) and ran two week intervals at sea. She is definately an important piece of American History and has helped her crews save many many lives. I’m 70 yrs now but I remember well that great cutter.
@David – thanks for telling us a little about your personal experience with her – I was hoping someone would read this post who had actually served on the cutter. Cheers!
Wow, I agree with Trooper_87. That’s a beautiful piece of history right there! I would leave it as a floating museum or use it for training the USCG OCS and enlisted men as well.
I think it should be donated or purchased by FEMA. I’m sure it could have been a big help during Katrina and other problems along our shores.
how much is this baby? could you see the look on a banker’s face?
I would do WW2 Historical cruises for WW2 buffs and donate the proceeds to Wounded Warriors. I would pay!! Great way to live History
Man, Renaming a ship is a horrible omen to place upon a fine vessel of any sort!
I think Amada Knox and OJ Simpson can use it to search for the real killers.
In my opinion, it is a ship that needs to keep on serving!!! I live in Guatemala, Central America, and would love to see that ship giving a hand here in Guatemala. Could be as a hospital, school, nursing, patrol, etc. But for sure would me a nice piece of history to have here in Guatemala.
Nice, but who wants something old?
It certainly is a proud piece of U.S. history. Would hate to see it made into some non-military hulk. Kept as, or restored to it’s original purpose and displayed as a museum piece would be nice. Don’t let the left wing progressives have it.
Hi , once NAVY always NAVY .why are we selling to start with. i am sure that the United States of America can find an occupation for this fine vessel without help from any other country. God bless America .
With such an illustrious past, it would be a shame to turn her into a “Stuffed and Mounted”
museum piece. So why not turn her into a mobile emergency hospital ship, to provide medical care in many isolated island communities, in areas of the west pacific. Though old she is obviously strong and has many years of service ahead in such a roll. Funding for her conversion and upkeep should come from the World Health Organization, and the U.N.
She could then be the prototype for the use of many other redundant warships.
SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES , as it were!
you need to send it back to ketchikan and put it back to work saving alaskens as it has done for 30 years it is missed
You know we are missing the most important thing here. The United States citizens paid for the construction of this ship. The proceedes should go right back to the tax payer in some way. I’m all for helping foreigners but not before we pay back our own accounts. That is the problem with our finances today. We have forgotten to take care of our own bank roll. We give and give and give. We even give to countries who hate us and harbor terrorist. Who owns this ship currently? We the people do. I say sell it and or use it to aide in the needs of this great country. So, with that being typed I have to agree with anybody who puts this ship in service of the U.S. public. P.S. We should fire every single failing politician in office and start over.
Stacy–
The US government already sold this ship through GSA Auctions earlier this year after she was decommissioned in April 2011. It is currently being sold by the private citizen who bought it through that auction. FWIW, I think his buy it now price is WELL above what he paid the US government for her.
Acushnet is the last active duty warship from world war two. I served aboard as leading seaman late 1980-81. She is slow, but excellent in heavy weather. I surfed her down a large wave off Lousianna Texas during a storm one early morning I recall watching OD float past me from one side of bridge to the other.