Name USCGC Iris (WLB-395) Commissioned 11 August 1944 Class and type Iris-class buoy tender Launched 18 May 1944 Builder Zenith Dredge Corporation | Laid down 10 December 1943 Decommissioned 20 June 1995 Construction started 10 December 1943 Length 55 m | |
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Fate Transferred to Maritime Administration 8 August 1997 | ||
The USCGC Iris (WLB-395) was a Iris-class buoy tender belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 18 May 1944 and commissioned on 11 August 1944.
Contents
Design
The Iris-class buoy tenders were constructed after the Mesquite-class buoy tenders. Iris cost $926,446 to construct and had an overall length of 180 feet (55 m). It had a beam of 37 feet (11 m) and a draft of up to 12 feet (3.7 m) at the time of construction, although this was increased to 14 feet 7 inches (4.45 m) in 1966. It initially had a displacement of 935 long tons (950 t; 1,047 short tons); this was increased to 1,026 long tons (1,042 t; 1,149 short tons) in 1966. It was powered by one electric motor. This was connected up to two Westinghouse generators which were driven by two CooperBessemer GND-8 four-cycle diesel engines. It had a single screw.
The Iris-class buoy tenders had maximum sustained speeds of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph), although this diminished to around 11.9 knots (22.0 km/h; 13.7 mph) in 1966. For economic and effective operation, it had to initially operate at 8.3 knots (15.4 km/h; 9.6 mph), although this increased to 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph) in 1966. The ship had a complement of six officers and seventy-four crew members in 1945; this decreased to two warrants, four officers, and forty-seven men in 1966. It was fitted with a SL1 radar system and QBE-3A sonar system in 1945. Its armament consisted of one 3″/50 caliber gun, two 20mm/80 guns, two Mousetraps, two depth charge tracks, and four Y-guns in 1945; these were removed in 1966.
Career
Upon receiving her commission, the Iris was assigned to the 8th Coast Guard District and homeported in Galveston, Texas where she was used for general ATON duties through the end of the war. In April 1947, she assisted with evacuating the injured from the Texas City disaster in which the SS Grandcamp carrying ammonium nitrate exploded. After assisting with evacuations, the Iris returned to the scene to assist with fighting the numerous fires that had spawned. In April 1989 she responded out to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and assisted with the clean up of Prince William Sound. In 1997 she was transferred to the Maritime Administration.