WW1:US Coast Guard Does its Duty on Rook

By virtue of its name I believed the US Coast Guard did just that, guarded the coastlines of America, but this armed service also sends men and women overseas to fight in foreign wars and in World War I they came to Gibraltar.

The US Coast Guard was formed on 28th January 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the US Life Saving Service. Prior to the USentering the war the Coast Guard was responsible for enforcing the neutrality laws. But after the declaration of war the Navy Department took control of all of the Coast Guard's vessels (47), officers(223)and enlisted men (4500).

The United States didn't announce its entry into the war until April 1917 but had been pre paring for the inevitable for some time and was quick to mobilise.

When Britain requested help with escorting convoys between the Mediterranean and the British Isles the US Navy sent six Coast Guard cutters to be based at Gibraltar. The cutters, Osssipee, Seneca, Yamacraw, Algonquin, Manning and Tampa arrived at the Rock during August and September. Of the six the Tampa would be the most feted but also the most tragic. Sailing out of Gibraltar under Captain Charles

Satterlee the Tampa escorted a total of 18convoys safely to the UK. In a letter of commendation to Satterlee Rear Admiral Niblack, commander of the US naval forces stationed at Gibraltar noted that the Tampa "...was never disabled, and was ready whenever called upon."

Tampa's luck ran out on her next mission, however,and she was lost with all hands.It was 26th September 1918. The convoy had made it safely through the crossing of the perilous Bay of Biscay and was nearing the destination of Milford Haven when at8.45pm a loud explosion was heard. Tampa was never seen again.

She had gone down with the loss of all 115 crew and 16 passengers.It was the greatest loss of life suffered by any US warship in World War 1. The only identifiable piece of wreckage ever found was a brass plaque displaying the words 'U.S. Coast Guard Boat No. 718' — Tampa's boat number, which was found on a beach at Porthcawl in 1924.

The German submarine UB 91, commanded by Walter Hans Hertwig, was credited with the sinking. The Tampa was one of only four ships sunk by UB-91, which survived the war and was broken up after surrendering to the Royal Navy.

In honour of the Tampa's contribution the British Admiralty issued a statement;

"Their Lordships desire to express their deep regret at the loss of the USS Tampa. Her record since she has been employed in European waters as an ocean escort to convoys has been remark able. She has acted in the capacity of ocean escort to no less than 18 convoysfrom Gibraltar comprising 350 vessels, with a loss of only two ships through enemy action. The commanders of the convoys have recognised the ability with which the Tampa carried out the duties of ocean escort. Appreciation of the good work done by the USS Tampa may be some consolation to those bereft and their lordships would be glad if this could be conveyed to those concerned."

The only other ofthe six shipssent to Gibraltar to suffer casualties in action was the Seneca.

It was 17th September, 1918, just nine days before the loss of the Tampa. Seneca was escorting a convoy through the aforementioned danger ous Bay of Biscay when she came to the aid of the British merchant ship Wellington, which had been torpedoed and abandoned by her crew. Despite terrible weather conditions the Captain of the Seneca called for volunteers for a salvage attempt. 18 men volunteered and managed to keep the foundering ship afloat for several hours but eventually it sank at the cost of ten lives.

The 18 volunteers were awarded the Navy Cross "For extraordinary heroism".

The names of the men from the Tampa and the Seneca who lost their lives are now enshrined on the Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. along with the names of all the other Coast Guard personnel who perished in World War 1.

In the monument's stone foundation and pyramid design, architect George Howe and sculptor Gaston Lachaise have captured the spirit of the Coast Guard's legendary steadfast ness. A bronze seagull, poised with its wings uplifted, alights below the Coast Guard motto Semper Paratus(Always Ready).

Although the Coast Guard's primary duties remain life saving and protecting US coastlines their members continue to be sent to foreign conflicts and today they are serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.