USCG 83-foot Patrol Boats of WWII

[BuoyJumper]

The Coast Guard's 83-foot Patrol Boat ... The Matchbox Fleet

The 83 footer story began in 1940 when the first of 230 cutters was built for the USCG. The wooden cutters were used for convoy duty in the Gulf and ASW patrol off the east coast of the U.S.  Sixty cutters participated in the Normandy invasion as RESFLO 1 where they rescued 1,437 men and one women (a nurse).  They were also known as the Matchbox Fleet.  Fifty-four cutters were sent to the South Pacific for various duties and as rescue craft for the invasion of Japan - scheduled for November 1, 1945 . The surrender of the last Japanese bastion in the Marianas took place on the deck of the 83434 when the Japanese formally surrendered the island of Aquijan.

After the war, sixty-one of the 83 footer fleet was utilized by the Coast Guard for Search and Rescue. During the cold war, most were assigned to Harbor Entrance Patrol duty. The last 83 footer, the WPB-83484, was decommissioned on April 15, 1963

(Intro is from the USCG 83-footers website. 
For some outstanding exterior and
interior photos and an entire album
of 83s click on the 83 photo link below.)

   

For more information on the 83s in
WWII go to Coast Guard Warriors

[BuoyJumper]

The Restoration of 83527, and a cordial invitation to all Coasties.

April 1, 2008

Hello 83 Footer Sailors and Friends:
 
 I just wanted to set down and update you on the CG-83527. We spent most of the summer last year in the yard at Port Townsend repairing some damage to the starboard running gear after hitting a submerged “object” while underway. All of that is now repaired and while we were hauled out we “burned” off 60 years of white paint and patched up the problem areas. We will get the final coat of paint on this spring and be ready for another year of visits to Puget Sound Ports of Call for public exhibit.
 
You may have heard the Coast Guard barque Eagle, “America’s Tall Ship,” will be in Tacoma, WA next Independence Day/4th of July weekend for the city’s major Tall Ships Challenge event. The Eagle has not visited Puget Sound for nearly 30 years so its long-awaited appearance this summer will be very significant.

It will be very appropriate to have Tacoma’s and Puget Sound’s restored World War II era Coast Guard patrol boat front and center as part of this historic maritime event. During the spectacular July 3rd Parade of Sail welcome to Tacoma we will be leading the Eagle and the other 25 or more traditional sailing vessels expected to participate and also be on public exhibit for the hundreds of thousands who will see and attend the four day event.

If any of the 83Foot Sailors are interested in helping us get her ready and have an interest in our work parties, please let me know by email or call 206-947-2303.

We are not only restoring an historic Coast Guard boat, but we are restoring and building public awareness and appreciation for the service of thousands of “sea service” veterans, civilian support workers and today’s active duty men and women serving stateside and around the world.
 
Thank you for your past and hopefully continuing support for this historical restoration effort, and participation in this very significant “Year of the Eagle” in Puget Sound. We can always use more help in the form of time, money or skills to get her further along in the restoration. Remember it costs us $4.00 per mile just for fuel to move her around. Our annual minimum operating costs are $12,500 just to sit at the dock. Your help will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
 
Dan and Roxane Withers   
dwithers@rodaxwireless.com

Original newsletter and more photos
The Website for 83527 (www.cg83527.org)


 

[sparky]

Truly from the days of the wooden men and Iron ships...great website.

[sparky]

Oops...old fingers got it backwards....IRON men and wooden ships.

[oldcoastie6468]

Oops...old fingers got it backwards....IRON men and wooden ships.

I was gonna say.......

[BuoyJumper]

For more on the "Matchbox Fleet" wooden 83-foot World War 2 patrol boats click on these links below:

Jack Read's Photo Album
CG Combat Veterans "Jack Read's War" (Then click on the catagories "CREWS - BOATS - INVASION" at the top of the page)
THE LUCKY BAG: Two D-Day Coasties reunited with 83-foot patrol boat