USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)

 museum, military, ship, United States Coast Guard, cutter (ship), historic landmark

Class: Secretary Cutter
Launched: June 3, 1936
At: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commissioned: September 17, 1936
Length: 327 feet
Beam: 41 feet, 2 inches
Draft: 15 feet, 3 inches
Displacement: 2,656 tons
Present Armament: One 5-inch/38 caliber gun

One of only two preserved Secretary class cutters, probably the most successful large cutters built by the U.S. Coast Guard, Ingham served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Great Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-Boats, and enemy aircraft. During one crossing Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626. After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship.

Ingham patrolled the waters surrounding Korea during the Korean War and earned a Presidential Unit Citation for her service during the Vietnam War.

After the war the cutter returned to regular Coast Guard duties, serving until 1988, when she was decommissioned. Acquired by Patriots Point in 1989, she was transferred to Miami Dade Historical Maritime Museum in 2009.

The commandant of the Coast Guard has declared Ingham the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action In World War II and Vietnam. These 912 casualties are identified on a memorial plaque on her quarterdeck.

USCGC Ingham is a National Historic Landmark.

www.uscgcingham.org/
www.hnsa.org/ships/ingham.htm
www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Ingham_WPG_35.asp