uscg november 1999 - cgretirenw.org · care finders to assist in finding physicians in the tricare...

“They Also Serve”

COAST GUARD RETIREE COUNCIL NORTHWEST NEWSLETTER

RETIREE

NEWSLETTER

U. S. Attorney General Janet Reno Breaks abottle of Champagne on the bow of the SPAR to

launch the 225-foot buoy tender.

LCDR. Nida Glick,USCGR

A WWII SPARBy Bethanne Kelly Patrick

Some 10,000 women joined theCoast Guard auxiliary between1942 and 1946, includingCleveland high school teacher NidaGlick. Glick would remain in theservice for decades, a stalwart ofthe Coast Guard Reserve.

Like its sister services, the Coast Guard created a women’sreserve in the early 1940s — the SPARS — to free upmen for overseas combat duty. Most SPAR officercandidates — more than 700 in all — trained at the CoastGuard Academy in New London, Conn., making themthe first women to attend a military academy. A six-weekindoctrination immersed them in Coast Guard lore,tradition, and knowledge, while two experienced womenofficers taught practical leadership and administrativeskills.

After their first few weeks, Glick and her classmates wereissued their seabags, and later sent to their first

Attorney General Janet Reno Launches Coast Guard Cutter

The U. S. Coast Guard honored its women who served in WWII during aAugust 12 launching ceremony for Coast Guard Cutter SPAR (WLB 206)at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin. U. S. AttorneyGeneral Janet Reno served as keynote speaker and sponsor.

The SPAR was named in honor of the 11,000 women who served in theUnited States Coast Guard during World War II. “Semper Paratus – AlwaysReady,” the Coast Guard motto, was condensed to the S.P.A.R. acronymto symbolize the woman’s corps because it reflected their attitude andwillingness to contribute to the war effort. Like the Army WACs (Women’sArmy Corps), Air Force WASPs (Womens Airforce Service Pilots) andthe Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service),the SPARs were integral to the Allied victory in World War II. Nearly ahundred Coast Guard SPAR veterans attended the ceremony.

In addition to success in their wartime role, the pioneering service of the Women’s Reserves helped to lay a cornerstone for thefuture integration of females into the Coast Guard, where all opportunities and jobs are open to women.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SPAR is a 225-ft seagoing buoy tender that will serve in Kodiak, Alaska under the command ofLCDR Joanna Nunan. It will have a complement of six officers and 34 enlisted personnel. SPAR will join her sister cutters, nowoperating in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which form a new fleet of technically advanced and highly capable buoytenders. SPAR is equipped to perform search and rescue, law enforcement, pollution response and domestic icebreaking missionsas well as servicing aids to navigation. The newest SPAR is the second Coast Guard vessel to bear the name. The first waslaunched in 1944 and decommissioned in 1997.

Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest RETIREE NEWSLETTER

October 2000

RETIREE NEWSLETTER

The RETIREE NEWSLETTER is a publication containing newsof general interest, suggestions, and information to keepCoast Guard retirees and their dependents informed ofrecent developments. This publication shall not beconsidered authority and is non-record material.Comments and suggestions should be directed to theeditor, Patrick Wills, care of:

COAST GUARD RETIREE COUNCIL NORTHWEST

USCG Integrated Support CommandWorklife (Retiree Council)1519 Alaskan Way South, Bldg. 1Seattle, Washington 98134

assignments in their six-gored serge skirts, four-buttonblouses, and officer’s “boats” (hats). Because of hertraining and facility with languages — Glick grew upspeaking German and added Russian, French, andSpanish while earning a master’s degree in languages— she was assigned to naval intelligence in Washington,D.C. During her three years of active duty, she alsomanaged a ship’s service station in North Carolina andexplained the G.I. Bill to returning servicemen in NewYork.

But when Glick and her fellow SPARS reached end oftheir service commitment on June 30, 1946, Glickremained with the Coast Guard Reserve. She returnedto teaching, eventually becoming head of herdepartment at Lincoln High School, but continued toserve the Coast Guard in numerous ways. She was anOhio personnel officer and helped to establish theOfficers’ Club in Cleveland, but her influence wasnational. She founded an in-house Coast Guardnewspaper that was read throughout the country, andheld the posts of vice president of the Reserve OfficersAssociation and program director of the ReserveOfficers of the Naval Services. On her death in 1996,LCDR Glick was buried with full military honors inArlington National Cemetery.

Holiday Dinner Dance

The CGFA, Puget Sound Officer Assoc. and the SeattleCouncil of the Navy League will again jointly sponsora Holiday Dinner Dance at the College Club, 505Madison St., Seattle. There will be free parking

Saturday, December 27-8PM Social hour8-9PM Dinner9-Midnight Dancing

Menu:Salmon or Baked Chicken BreastCost: $27.00 per personPOC: Pearl Grantham (425) 641-8577

Holiday Stockings

Once again the CG Family Association will be sewingHoliday stockings for homeless children. Last year wesewed, filled and delivered over 650 stockings to localshelters. Please call Bobette Scheid (206) 232-9854for fabric and patterns if you can help make stockings.Any other questions call Pearl Grantham (425) 641-8577. We are in need of donations of personal careitems, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, new small toys,

underwear for 0-17 years, school supplies and children’sand teenager books. Cash donations are alwayswelcome.

TID BITS OFINFORMATION

The Coast Guard Retiree Council – Northwest hasgrown to fifteen (15) members with the addition of two(2) new members. ATCM Charles H. (Chuck) Craigand ETCM Timothy M. (Tim) Lackey were entered tothe roll during the Council’s July meeting at the CoastGuard National Motor Lifeboat School,Ilwaco,Washington.

MCPO William B. Beardsley, Command Master Chief,Group North Bend, Oregon has offered his assistanceto members of the retired community. Questions of alocal nature can be addressed to the Master Chief at541) 756-9239.

MKCS Mark Jones, Chief of the Mess, Group/MSOPortland, Oregon has offered his assistance to membersof the retired community. Question of a local naturecan be addressed to the Senior Chief at 503) 240-9364.Senior Chief Jones would like to hear from all formerCPO’s, SCPO’s and MCPO’s interested inreestablishing a CPOA Chapter. Remember officerswho went through the ranks may join.

Help wanted…. Points of contact in Alaska whowould be willing to give some time and effort indeveloping information of interest for the retiredcommunity. Contact the Secretary, Ev Black, of theCG Retiree Council – Northwest.

The Retirees’ Council Meeting for the 2nd

Quarter 2001 will be at CGAS PortAngeles on Saturday morning, 7 April2001.

October 2000


This is thelast installment of a series of questions and answers about TRICARE.

55. I am under age 65 and have Medicare Part A andB due to end-stage renal disease. I am responsible forand pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium. If Ienroll in TRICARE Prime, will I also be responsiblefor the enrollment fee or will it be waived? DoD hasinstituted a new rule that allows them to waive the en-rollment fee for all persons who fall into this very cat-egory.56. Can Medicare eligibles, over 65, enroll in Prime?In an effort to better serve the medical needs of all ofour over 65 retirees, DoD has long supported a pro-gram that would allow dual-eligible beneficiaries to usetheir Medicare benefit at Military Treatment Facilities(MTFs). This program was previously referred to asMedicare Subvention. Congress recently passed legis-lation that allows DoD and the Health Care FinancingAdministration (HCFA-the government agency respon-sible for Medicare) to conduct a Medicare Subventiondemonstration, called TRICARE Senior Prime, in se-lected areas. Six project sites have been selected andenrollment may be an option for you if you reside inthese areas. If you do not live near one of these dem-onstration sites, you can continue to seek care in anMTF on a space-available basis; acquire prescriptionsthrough military pharmacies, as well as a retail and mailorder pharmacy program if you reside in a Base Re-alignment and Closure (BRAC) area; and use the HealthCare Finders to assist in finding physicians in theTRICARE Extra network who will accept Medicare. 57. How will TRICARE Senior Prime work?TRICARE Senior Prime, DoD’s Medicare Subventionprogram, will operate similar to a Medicare at-riskhealth maintenance organization (HMO), with the goalof becoming a fully participating Medicare HMO inthe future. All care must be obtained either by orthrough your Primary Care Manager at the MTF.58. How can I be part of the TRICARE Senior Prime

demonstration program? To be eligible to enrollin TRICARE Senior Prime, you must meet all ofthe following requirements:

• Be age 65, or attain age 65 on or prior to the firstday of health care delivery, dates to be announced.

• Live in the geographic area covered by the demon-stration program + Be eligible for Medicare andcare in the MTF.

• Received medical care in an MTF prior to July 1,

1997, or became eligible for Medicare after 7/1/97• Be enrolled in Medicare Part B• Agree to access covered services only through the

TRICARE Senior Prime program. Even if youmeet all of the eligibility requirements listed, youmay not be enrolled in the demonstration if you:

• Have elected Medicare hospice coverage or haveend-stage renal disease*

• Are under age 65 and eligible for Medicare becauseof a disability

* Exception: A beneficiary who is diagnosed withend-stage renal disease or who elects the MedicareHospice benefit after enrollment in the project iseligible to remain in the program.

59. How can I obtain more information about theTRICARE Senior Prime demonstration Project? If youlive in one of the six geographic areas covered by thedemonstration project, you will receive, in the mail, aninformation packet with more specific details about theproject in your particular area, or call your localTRICARE Service Center.DENTAL60. What is the TRICARE Selected Reserve DentalProgram (TSRDP)? In order to maintain dental readi-ness, the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act di-rected the establishment of the TSRDP for members ofthe Selected Reserve.61. What sort of coverage do I get with the TSRDP?Covered services include diagnostic, preventive, basicrestorative, oral surgery and emergency services; itemssuch as crowns, root canals, bridges and orthodontiaare not covered.62. Will the TSRDP cost me anything? The monthlypremium is $4.36. Enrollees must submit a prepay-ment of 4 months of premiums ($4.36 x 4 = $17.44)with their enrollment form. There are no copaymentsfor diagnostic, preventive or emergency care services.Copayment responsibilities for restorative services forE1 through E-4 are 10%, for E-5s and above it is 20%.Copayment responsibilities for oral surgery services forE-1 through E4 is 30%, for E-5s and above it is 40%.The maximum annual benefit for all services is $1,000of paid allowable charges per contract year. Modestannual changes to the premium levels are anticipated.63. How can I get more information about the TSRDP?The contractor for the TSRDP, Humana Military HealthCare Services has a toll free telephone number, 1-800-211-3614, which will be staffed Monday through Fri-day 0800-1800 E.S.T., to answer your questions.New Book published in August. “U. S. Lighthouse Service Tenders”by Douglas Peterson, USCG (Retired) The first book to feature allthe Lighthouse Tenders and auxiliary craft of the United StatesLighthouse Service from 1840 until 1939.

EASTWIND PUBLISHING4302 Baildon RoadTrappe, MD 21673


October 2000

Do You Know About theUniformed Services Federal

Health Plan?

Beneficiaries of the seven uniformed services are eli-gible for health care benefits through the military health

Purple Heart Recipients

Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart arebeing placed in a higher priority category for healthcare at VA medical facilities. Also, the co-payment isnot longer charged for inpatient or outpatient care atVA facilities. The $2 co-payment for a 30 days supplyof pharmaceuticals will remain. These changes in lawbecame effective 29 November 1999 and any PurpleHeart Veteran that has paid a co-payment since that datewith have the co-payment reimbursed. Additional in-formation on this and other VA benefits can be foundat http://www.va.gov.

Korean War Service Medal

If you served in Korea during 25 June 1950 and 27July 1953 you are eligible for the Korean War ServiceMedal. The medal will be provided free of charge toveterans who served during that period or their survi-vors. The Air Force is the designated agency to re-ceive requests and supply the medals. When applying,you will need a DD Form 214, or a corrected versionof the DD Form 214, better known as a DD Form 215showing service in Korea. Interested veterans can callthe AF at 1-800-558-1404 Monday through Friday0730-1630 CST, or (210) 565-2432/2520/2516, or writ-ing to HQ AFPC/DPPRA, 550 C Street West, Suite 12,Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714 or http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awards/.

Rest in Peace Old Friend

care system which is now called TRICARE. Benefi-ciaries who are less than 65 years old obtain their healthcare in military facilities or from civilian providersthrough TRICARE Standard, TRICARE Extra orTRICARE Prime. Those who are age 65 or older ob-tain their health care, on a space available basis, frommilitary facilities or use Medicare in the civilian world.

However, there is another TRICARE option availablein only 7 areas of the United States. It’s called the Uni-formed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP). Thoseof us who live in the Puget Sound area are lucky tohave access to this option. PacMed Clinics, a group of12 provider clinics in King and Snohomish counties isthe TRICARE designated provider who contracts withDoD to provide and administer USFHP.

PacMed is a former public health facility and has pro-vided healthcare to uniformed services beneficiariessince the 1930’s. PacMed has been administering healthbenefits programs for the uniformed services since1981. In 1998, that program was officially namedUniformed Services Family Health Plan at PacMedClinics, a TRICARE Designated Provider – or, as it’sbetter known – USFHP.

USFHP is the only military healthcare program whichprovides benefits and care to beneficiaries regardlessof age. This means that beneficiaries 65 and older canenroll in USFHP and continue to receive their militaryhealthcare benefit. USFHP is an enrollment basedmanaged care program that provides the same benefitsat the same costs as TRICARE Prime. Besides the lackof age restrictions, the other significant differences arethat benefits are administered via a community based,not-for-profit provider group and that USFHP admin-istration is entirely based in the community it servesPer Tita Montero, VP of Federal Affairs at PacMed andthe person who heads up USFHP: “We pride ourselveson providing the personal touch – whether that’s thehealthcare experience or providing personal attentionto enrollees regarding the program and their benefits.”

Usually there is an annual open enrollment period forUSFHP. However, PacMed is part of a demonstrationto study the effects of offering enrollment opportuni-ties throughout the year. So, PacMed can currentlyaccept enrollment applications at any time.

To find out more about USFHP or to obtain an enroll-ment application you can call the USFHP EnrollmentManagement Team at (206) 621-4568.

October 2000


Is Someone Misusing YourSocial Security Number

One way to find out is to check your earning record.You may call Social Security’s toll free number (800)772-1213 and request a Personal Earnings and BenefitEstimate Statement Form. You can also download anapplication at www.ssa.gov or visit your local SocialSecurity Office. If you find incorrect earnings, or yourname, or your date of birth is incorrect, report the errorto Social Security and they’ll correct your record. Ifsomeone has misused your Social Security number toget credit, you should report it to the Social SecurityFraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271. Social Security cannotfix your credit record; however, they may open aninvestigation depending on the circumstances of thecase. To resolve any credit problems, you need tocontact the institution that approved the credit, as wellas the major credit report agencies. Get a copy of yourcredit report. Ask to have an alert placed on your record,requiring the company to contact you before approvingadditional credit using your name and number. Threemajor credit reporting ages are: Equifax – (800) 525-6285; Trans Union –(800) 680-7289; and Experian –(800) 301-7195. You should work with each creditbureau, creditor, employer and government agencyinvolved to remove incorrect information from yourrecords. Continue to check your credit report annuallyfor errors. Keep copies of your correspondence, recordsof your telephone calls and other documents showingyour efforts to correct the problem.

Happening in Group Astoriaarea through early January

Clinic construction is scheduled for May 2001 throughMarch 2002. We plan to set up a temporary medicalclinic in the Astoria area, the project may result in somereduction in service to current patients. Medical shouldbe able to give you a little more info on this. They canbe reached at (503) 861-6240

October8th Great Columbia Crossing Fly-by —prior to racePOC LT Langum (503)861-613111th ICS Training Camp Rilea —Begins 0800POC ENS Rasch (503)861-623114th Longview Fire Department Training—all dayPOC LT Langum (503)861-613123rd Advance Rescue Swimmer School begins. Runsuntil Nov 17th

POC LT Langum (503)861-613128th Kids Halloween Party— times TBDPOC LTJG Dronen (503)861-6226

November17th Last day of Advance Rescue Swimmer School.19th-20th Spouses association annual food baskets forthe community. All day in the Group GymPOC LTJG Dronen (503)861-622628th USCGC Steadfast holding retirement at theAirstationPOC USCGC Steadfast (503)325-6812

December 9th Children’s Christmas Party at the Airstation. 1000-1300POC LTJG Dronen (503)861-622613th Safety Standown All day at Camp RileaPOC LCDR Kotson (503)861-622915th Adult Christmas Party at the Elks. 1800-???POC LTJG Dronen (503)861-622618th-Jan 2nd Holiday routine

January3rd End of Holiday Routine—return to normal work-day.

It’s Legitimate but maybea Bad Idea!

MILITARY PENSION LOANS: Military retirees havebeen receiving emails and letters by mail fromcompanies who are offering loans in exchange for theirretirement pensions. Many retirees are wondering ifthis is a scam. It is not. The Florida Department of VAAffair general counsel has checked with the AttorneyGeneral consumer fraud section and with The RetiredOfficer Association. As it turns out, these companiesare legitimate but terms of loans are indeed stringent.They will lend against your pension; they require a lifeinsurance policy to be purchased for the amount of theloan, naming the company as the beneficiary; and theydiscount the pension by a high percentage, in some cases40 per cent. This may not be the best use of your money.Additional info on this can be found on the at http://www.floridavets.org/retireeloans.htm.

VA Hearing Aid Entitlements

Veterans may be entitled to free hearing aids from theVA if they meet any of these categories:• Service connected for hearing loss; ear disease or

tinnitus.• Service connected, any medical problem at a

rating of 10% or more.• Former prisoner of war.


October 2000

Reunions

USCGC TANEY (WPG/WHEC 37): Reunionscheduled for October 12-15 in Baltimore. All formershipmates are invited. Contact SK1 Frank Tobat at(410) 546-1557 or CAPT Gene Moran at (757) 484-8210, or e-mail him at: [email protected].

USCGC IRONWOOD (WLB 297): Decommissioningscheduled for Oct. 6 at Integrated Support CommandKodiak, AK. All IRONWOOD sailors past and presentare encouraged to attend. As part of thedecommissioning, stories and photographs are beingcollected from previous Ironwood sailors forcompilation on the cutter’s web site. To obtain moreinformation about the ceremony, or to submit a story,you may contact the CGC IRONWOOD in any one ofthe following ways: visit www.uscg.mil/d17 and selectUNITS, and then CGC IRONWOOD; write toCommanding Officer, USCGC IRONWOOD, PO Box190651, Kodiak, AK 99619; call ENS Andy Myers at(907) 487-5344; or if the ship is underway, contact D17Public Affairs Detachment Western Alaska at (907) 487-5700.

A tale from history

The oldest commissioned war ship in the world, theUSS Constitution. It comes by way of the NationalPark Service, as printed in “Oceanographic Ships, Foreand Aft”, a periodical from the oceanographer of theUS Navy.

On 23 August 1779, the USS Constitution set sail fromBoston, loaded with 475 officers and men, 48,600gallons of water, 74,000 cannon shot, 11,500 poundsof black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum. Hermission: to destroy and harass English shipping. On 6October, she made Jamaica, took on 826 pounds of flourand 68,300 gallons of rum. Three weeks later,Constitution reached the Azores, where she provisionedwith 550 pounds of beef and 2,300 gallons ofPortuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail forEngland where her crew captured and scuttled 12English merchant vessels and took aboard their rum.By this time, Constitution had run out of shot.Nevertheless, she made her way unarmed up the Firthof Clyde for a night raid. Here, her landing partycaptured a whiskey distillery, transferred 13,000 gallonsaboard and headed for home. On 20 February 1780,the Constitution arrived in Boston with no cannon shot,no food, no powder, no rum and no whiskey. She did,however, still carry her crew of 475 officers and menand 18,600 gallons of water. The math is quiteenlightening: Length of cruise: 181 days. Booze

consumption: 1.26 gallons per man per day (this doesNOT include the unknown quantity of rum capturedfrom the 12 English merchant vessels in November).Naval historians say that the re-enlistment rate fromthis cruise was 92%.

YNCS Evereste A. Black,USCG (RET.) Recognition

Senior Chief Evereste A. Black, of the Coast GuardRetiree Council Northwest was cited for meritoriouspublic service for his outstanding support of CoastGuard personnel at a Sea Services Military Retreat on8 August 2000 in Everett, WA.

During this time honored tradition Senior Chief Blackwas awarded the colors of the United States and“specifically noted for his work in counseling CoastGuard personnel and their families as they undergosome of life’s most difficult transitions. During thelast two years Senior Chief Black has counseled over250 personnel regarding service-related benefits andentitlements, Department of Veterans Affairs and CoastGuard policy and procedures, as well as other resourcesavailable to active duty, retired, and dependentpersonnel. His care for others was most clearly evidentduring his hospital visits to severely ill Coast Guardpersonnel and his on-scene support of CasualtyAssistance calls. He was on hand for the crewmembersand family of the CG 44363 Surf Boat after the tragiclost of three Petty Officers at Station Quillayute River.His wise and thoughtful counsel provided tremendoussupport to families alleviating many concerns overfuture support. Senior Chief Black has also been a keypart of the Integrated Support Command Seattle Pre-retirement seminar staff, assisting future retirees withthorough medical record reviews. Those reviewsfrequently helped members document disability claimswhich provide long-term medical care and somemeasure of financial support. Since 1984 Senior ChiefBlack has been a member of the Northwest RetireeCouncil. Presently serving as Secretary of the Councilhe assists in publishing a monthly newsletter thatprovides up-to-date information concerning all militaryretiree’s. Senior Chief Black’s devotion to the CoastGuard and publichas earned himthe respect ofeveryone in theCoast Guardf a m i l y . ”CongradulationsEv!

October 2000


Columbia River Lightship No. 50From: Pacific Graveyard by James A. Gibbs

Columbia River Lightship No. 50 was the first lightship stationed on the U.S. Pacific Coast. The vessel was builtby the Union Iron Works of San Francisco and towed north by the tug Fearless. She took her station off themouth of the Columbia River in 1892, and maintained her vigil for seventeen years - except for a few monthsashore near McKenzie Head.

The No. 50 was 112 feet long with a twenty-six-foot beam and a depth of twelve and one-half feet. She wasconstructed with steel frames and oak planking. Her heavy construction enabled her to brave the most severeweather. The stem, sternpost, keel, and rudder were of white oak. Her arrival on the Columbia was received withgreat ceremony. Mariners recognized the lightship as a welcome and comforting sight in fair weather or foul.The vessel was not engined and was dependent on her jury rig for propulsion. She was equipped with twohorizontal return tubular boilers, which furnished steam to blow a twelve-inch foghorn and to raise lights on themast by nightfall. The night lights on her two masts consisted of six lamps placed in a circle around the crosstreesto afford visibility from any direction. By day the lamps were lowered, but the vessel was easily recognized byher name painted in large letters on her sides. She was equipped with comfortable quarters for a small crew, andher compartments were thoroughly watertight and seaworthy.

The lightship was stationed southwest of the river entrance, but, in 1894, was moved still farther south to facilitatetraffic. On November 28, 1899, the No. 50 was buffeted by terrific winds and unusually high seas, which causedher to slip her anchor cables and drift toward shore in the blackness of the night.

At the crack of dawn, the tugs Escort, Wallula, and the lighthouse tender Manzanita raced to the side of thedrifting lightship. The Wallula arrived first and managed to get a line on her. The tug had nearly gained the riverentrance with its troublesome tow, when the hawser parted. The Manzanita then maneuvered in and put her lineon the lightship, but it got tangled in her propeller and also broke. Next came the Escort, but she no sooner hadbegun to tow the vessel than her hawser also snapped. Fear was felt for the eight crewmen aboard the lightship,but all rescue efforts had proved futile. The Escort stood by till 7 p.m., when the lightship went aground on thesands inside McKenzie Head.

When the tide receded, the No. 50 was left high on the beach. From her position, salvage appeared a virtualimpossibility. Captain Joseph Harriman and his crew were removed from the vessel, little the worse for theirexperiences. The lightship remained on an even keel for several months, but her presence off the bar was badlymissed, and the experts were figuring some way of getting her off the sands. The solution for salvaging thelightship proved to be a unique operation.

It was determined that, because of shoals and currents, she could not be launched back into the ocean; consequently,engineers of the Lighthouse Board decided to attempt to move her across the peninsula and launch her intoBaker Bay. It was a journey of a mile, across beds of loose sand, through a forest, and over several elevations; abig job for which there was hardly a precedent. But they got to work, jacked the vessel up out of the sand, putenormously heavy trucks under her, rigged windlasses to haul the trucks, and got stout teams of horses to turn thewindlasses. At the same time they cut a road through the woods and built a timber roadbed strong and smoothenough for the trucks to travel on. Then they started her and eventually she went. Cables broke and had to bereplaced with stronger ones. Some days she progressed only a few feet. It took months to cover the distance, butit was done, and finally the No. 50 lay broadside to Baker Bay.

There the salvage crew built an incline of planking down into the water, greased it as the ways are greased at alaunching in a shipyard, stretched lines from bow, stern, and masts, to powerful steam tugs, then steadied herwith guy ropes. Presently, with a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together, the land-locked ship slid downthe beach and was afloat once again after sixteen months of imprisonment. The lightship was then towed toAstoria, where she was repaired and eventually returned to her station. Three lightships have been assigned tothis station at varying dates since the old No. 50 was retired in 1909. Many similar salvage ventures have beenattempted on the ocean shores of the world, but most of these have ended in complete failure. The No. 50’s landvoyage was a notable performance, novel and successful.

This is the first of hopefully many articles from the history of the Coast Guard in the 13th and 17th Districts--The Editor

% COMMANDING OFFICERUSCG Integrated Support CommandAttn: Work Life (Retiree Council)1519 Alaskan Way South, Bldg. 1Seattle, Washington 98134

Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest Newsletter

CO-CHAIRPERSONSRADM Alfred P. Manning, Jr.4751 91st Ave SEMercer Island, WA 98040(206) 230-9284, FAX (206) 230-9286e-mail: [email protected] Dana W. Starkweather16910 N.E. 88th StreetRedmond, WA 98052(425) 882-8517e-mail: [email protected] Ev A. Black3526 SW Rose StreetSeattle, WA 98126-3440(206) 935-6350e-mail: [email protected] Charles H. Craig10421 196th St. Ct. EastGraham, WA 98338e-mail: [email protected] A. R. Espejo11905 59th Avenue WestMukilteo, WA 98275(425) 315-1166e-mail: [email protected]

LCDR Ralph H. Preston15729 NE Eugene Street

Portland, OR 97230(503) 256-3595

e-mail: [email protected] P. F. (Phil) Smith

1807 NE 80th StreetSeattle, WA 98115

(206) 522-9378e-mail: [email protected]

YNCS W. R. (Bob) Wallace14611 64th Ave SE

Snohomish, WA 98290(425) 338-2358

email: [email protected] David L. Maxson

Representative, ISC Seattle1519 Alaskan Way S., Bldg 1

Seattle, WA 98134(206) 217-6610

e-mail: [email protected] Roger Pike

136 Horizon View DriveSequim, WA 98382


CAPT Albert D. Grantham15703 SE 45th Court

Bellevue, WA 98006-3222(425) 641-8577

e-mail: [email protected] Timothy M. Lackey

1836 South 245th PlaceDes Moines, WA 98198

e-mail: [email protected] Richard F. Malm

911 87th Ave NEMedina, WA 98039-4834


Mrs. Myrna Hackney(Widow CAPT R.V. Hackney)

13355 SE 43rd PlaceBellevue, WA 98006

(425) 643 8268e-mail: [email protected]

CAPT Gene W. Miller4457 142nd Ave SEBellevue, WA 98006


RDCM Gordon M. Penix129 NE 158th StreetSeattle, WA 98115


Retiree Council Members

USCGC SPAR (WLB 206)

U.S.COASTGUA

RD

RETIREE

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