Several great old Cutters have been saved and preserved or in the process of restoration. Perhaps this thread can inform us and let those projects announce themselves and keep us posted? It's been great "therapy" for those of us who had to endure them in the rolling seas!

I am involved in one such project. The preservation and utilization of the former WMEC 202 Comanche, one of only two former USN ATAs (143’ ocean-going tug) in the Coast Guard: selected by the CG in 1959 serving to 1980, and still with us today, considered the last her of her kind still in original ‘as built’ 1944 condition, for the most part. A ‘floating museum’ and ‘national treasure’ she has been called. USN ATA 202 has a Battle Star from action in World War II in the invasion of Okinawa and served the Guard for 21 years in rough and tumble service in both the Pacific and Atlantic.

Lot of history in this old girl, commissioned in October, 1944 (I’m seven days older than she is.) I was on its “twin”, WMEC 194 Modoc for three years and three months (1966-69). So, it just seems natural I would be involved with saving the Comanche!! And amazing as it may seem, Modoc is here in the south Puget Sound, too!!! But all “pimped” out now into a luxury ‘love boat’. She’s in this with us as well. In the Fall of 2009, we plan to have the two side by side for a reunion and cruse on the Sound!

Comanche runs well with her original 1944 equipment. We took her from Tacoma to Olympia under her own power in January 2007. We plan to run her several times a year!!! (But only in the Sound, so unlikely any barfing involved – but we have the buckets just incase!) And we have been invited to Tall Ship 2008 in Tacoma with the USCGC Eagle!

Here’s a couple of links: the Coast Guard Channel (TAM Communications.)
http://www.coastguardchannel.com/images/news/Comanche202_022308.pdf
And the Coast Guard Tugs Association:
http://www.cg-tugs.org/comanchee.htm

There are more old cutters out there waiting for crews, too. Maybe one is in your neighborhood? And bring your own chipping hammer!

Here are a couple more, ones my Dad was on in World War II (Taney at Pearl Harbor 12-07-41 and Storis at the Wars end.) They are too far from me to be involved but someday I hope to visit them again. I had ice cream on the Storis in 1948… thus joined the CG in 1965 for the ice cream!
http://www.baltomaritimemuseum.org/museums_uscgc.php
And the Storis http://www.military.com/cgcstoris/

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