Name USCGC Mendota Laid down 20 Jun 1928 Commissioned 23 March 1929 | Namesake Lake Mendota Launched 27 November 1928 Length 76 m | |
 | ||
Fate Transferred to Royal Navy
30 April 1941 Builder Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation | ||
The USCGC Mendota (1930) was a Lake-class cutter belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 20 Jun 1928 and commissioned on 23 Mar 1929. After 12 years of service to the Coast Guard, she was transferred to the British Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease Act. She was ultimately sunk in January 1942 when struck by two torpedoes fired by U-105.
Contents
US Coast Guard - Mendota
After commissioning in March 1929, the Mendota was homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. On 22 December 1939, the Sebago attempted to assist the 2,847 tonnes (2,802 long tons; 3,138 short tons) Greek SS Aliakmon, which had grounded north of Wash Woods, Virginia. The 12-inch (30 cm) hawser that had been secured to the vessel parted, but the Mendota, having arrived a few hours later, was able to float the $200,000 vessel.
Royal Navy - Culver
As part of the Lend-Lease Act she was transferred to the Royal Navy where she was renamed the HMS Culver (Y 87) and commissioned on 30 Apr 1941. On 31 October 1941, the Culver picked up 25 people from the Dutch merchant vessel Bennekom which had been sunk by a torpedo from U-96.
Sinking
On 31 January 1942, while escorting convoy SL-98, the Culver came under fire by U-105. At 23:31 hours, she was struck twice, once on the port side in the forward boiler room and once further aft that likely struck the vessel's magazine. The Culver broke in two and sank in less than a minute. The commander, 7 officers and 119 ratings were lost. A single officer and 12 ratings survived the sinking and were rescued by the HMS Londonderry (U 76).