About this Unit
USCGC Acacia (WLB-406) was a 180-foot Iris-class buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Built for World War II service, Acacia was primarily tasked with maintaining aids to navigation, search and rescue, and icebreaking throughout the Great Lakes and surrounding waters. Over her distinguished career, she responded to numerous emergencies, including maritime accidents and environmental crises, earning a reputation for reliability. After more than six decades of service, Acacia was decommissioned in 2006 and later preserved as a museum ship in Manistee, Michigan.
Historical Facts
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Launch and Commissioning: CGC Acacia (WLB-406) was launched on February 7, 1944, by Zenith Dredge Company in Duluth, Minnesota, and commissioned on November 1, 1944, as part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 180-foot seagoing buoy tender class.
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World War II Service: Although commissioned during World War II, Acacia mainly conducted aids-to-navigation (ATON) and icebreaking operations on the Great Lakes, supporting wartime logistics and ship movements.
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Class and Sister Ships: Acacia was an Iris-class buoy tender, one of 39 “C” or 180-foot class tenders constructed between 1942 and 1944, which became the backbone of the Coast Guard’s ATON fleet.
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Icebreaking Capabilities: Designed with reinforced hulls, Acacia played a vital role in breaking ice to keep shipping lanes open across Lakes Michigan and Huron, especially during harsh winters.
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Rescue Operations: Over her career, Acacia participated in numerous search and rescue missions, including notable assistance to stranded or damaged vessels trapped by ice or weather.
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Notable Incident – SS Carl D. Bradley: In November 1958, Acacia was one of the first vessels to respond to the sinking of the SS Carl D. Bradley, a Great Lakes freighter that broke apart during a storm, resulting in significant loss of life.
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Modernization: Acacia underwent major renovations in 1975, receiving upgrades to her engines, navigation systems, and living quarters, extending her service life for several more decades.
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Longest-Serving Buoy Tender: By her retirement in 2006, Acacia was one of the last two “original” 180-foot buoy tenders still in service, marking more than 61 years of continuous duty.
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Homeport: For much of her career, Acacia was homeported in Charlevoix, Michigan, serving as a familiar sight to residents and mariners on the northern Great Lakes.
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Preserved as a Museum Ship: After decommissioning, Acacia was acquired by the S.S. City of Milwaukee museum in Manistee, Michigan, where she is preserved as a museum ship and is open to public tours, keeping her legacy alive.
