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| Spar WLB 403 History
In 1943 a final design was completed at Marine Iron & Shipbuilding Company in Duluth, Minnesota and construction began on a series of welded steel buoy tenders for the United States Coast Guard. These ships were to replace the aging fleet of large Class A tenders. The 180 x 37 x 14’ tenders were constructed at Marine Iron and at a neighboring yard of the Zenith Dredge Company, both at Duluth. One tender, the Ironwood, was built at the Coast Guard yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. These cutters were commonly referred to as “180’s” and were assigned 5 officers and 42 crewmembers. There were slight modifications to the design, which separated them in three classes: Class A (“Cactus”), Class B (“Mesquite”), and Class C (“Iris”). These cutters went into immediate service for the USCG and were issued a Navy war designation of “WAGL”. In 1965 all the buoy tenders were separated by types and given new designations. The Sea-Going Buoy Tenders, which included the 180’s, were assigned “WLB” numbers. The USCGC Spar (WAGL 403) was commissioned in 1944 and assigned to Boston from 1944 to 1946. In 1946 she was transferred to Wood’s Hole and in 1951 was moved to Bristol, Rhode Island. In 1957 the Spar, along with sisters Bramble and Storis, made an historic voyage circumnavigating North America via the Panama Canal and Northwest Passage. During 1974-79 several of these cutters underwent a major renovation, including removal and overhaul of all the mechanical systems. The main engines and propulsion systems were rebuilt and a 200-HP bow thruster was installed. Berthing space was increased in the forward hold and they were recabled and repiped. The tenders to receive this rebuild were: Bramble, Sassafras, Sedge, Ironwood, Mariposa, Acacia, Woodrush, Sweetbrier, Hornbeam, Sundew, Firebush and Spar. After Spar was rebuilt in 1976, she was transferred to South Portland, Maine. She carried out ATON, SAR, and icebreaking duties throughout her long career. The Spar has only one coast guard recorded accident in her long career, which took place on January 29, 1971. This involved a grounding in which she sustained minor damage. In 1987, the Spar underwent another complete rebuild, which included replacement of nearly all her mechanical systems and repowering with a pair of new EMD 8-cylinder 645-E6 diesel engines. These engines generated power to turn her single 1200-HP DC propulsion motor. She was equipped with two new 1800-RPM turbocharged 6-71 Detroit 170-KW AC generators and an auxiliary 50-KW 6-71 AC generator, which also powered the hydraulic system. Disposition
The Spar was decommissioned in 1997 and sold at auction the following year. She towed the small tug Bay Jack up to Philadelphia in 1999 and went on a mooring where she sat on the north side of the city until late 2002. She was sold at auction to Bay Bridge Enterprises and towed to their scrap yard in Chesapeake, Virginia. One year later she was transferred to the Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation and towed by the tug Little Curtis to Dominion Marine’s yard on the East Branch of the Elizabeth River. With the Bramble now preserved as a museum vessel and the Sundew also heading in that route following her decommissioning this year, it was decided that the best use of the Spar would be to sell her, whole or in parts, as a fund raiser for the Foundation's preservation projects. The Spar WLB 403 took her last run on January 4, 2004 when her systems were brought back to life and demonstrated for a potential buyer. A deal was made and the Spar's main engines, generators and accessories were removed and used to repower the large twin screw towboat Roanoke. Her remaining equipment and fittings were offered to the Bramble and Tamaroa preservation groups, who picked her over for what they could use. Much of her electrical and spares were saved for Foundation use. With the vessel stripped to the bones and the best use made of each and every part, the hull was sold for sinking as an artificial reef. On June 10, 2004, this proud old Coast Guard cutter was laid to rest in 108 feet of water, 30 miles off Morehead City, North Carolina. Here she will provide fish habitat and be enjoyed by divers for decades to come. Special thanks for Jim Demske, Mike Dunavant, Mario Mazza, and Franz VonRiedel for making this successful project happen. Tour the Spar Click Here to take a virtual tour of the Spar. Spar Links
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