coast guard cuyahoga wix 157

• Long Service: The USCGC Cuyahoga (WIX-157) was originally commissioned in 1927, serving the United States Coast Guard for over 50 years. • Early Duties: Initially built as one of the 125-foot "buck and a quarter" class cutters, Cuyahoga was designed for anti-smuggling and Prohibition enforcement. • World War II Service: During World War II, the Cuyahoga was transferred to the U.S. Navy and operated in the Caribbean, protecting convoys from submarine threats. • Training Ship: In 1957, the Cuyahoga became the primary training vessel for officer candidates at the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia. • Tragic Collision: On October 20, 1978, the Cuyahoga was involved in a fatal collision with the freighter Santa Cruz II in the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in the loss of 11 crew members. • Heroic Actions: During the sinking, crew members and officer candidates displayed acts of bravery, helping others escape the rapidly sinking cutter. • Final Resting Place: After the tragedy, the Cuyahoga was raised, inspected, and deliberately sunk in 1979 as an artificial reef in the Chesapeake Bay, where it remains a dive site today. • Namesake: The ship was named after the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, a name that translates to "crooked river" from the Mohawk language. • Legacy: The loss of the Cuyahoga led to significant changes in Coast Guard training and operational procedures, improving safety for future generations. • Memorials: Several memorials and annual ceremonies honor the sacrifice of the Cuyahoga’s crew, ensuring their story is remembered by the Coast Guard community.