Uscgc arbutus

• USCGC Arbutus (WAGL-216) was a Cactus-class 180-foot sea-going buoy tender of the United States Coast Guard, launched in 1933. • Arbutus was originally built as a lighthouse and buoy tender for the United States Lighthouse Service, which later merged with the Coast Guard in 1939. • During World War II, Arbutus was placed under U.S. Navy control and participated in coastal defense and navigation aid missions along the Atlantic Coast. • The vessel was named after the Arbutus plant, a tradition for this class of buoy tenders to be named after trees and plants. • Arbutus was stationed primarily in Baltimore, Maryland, and played a crucial role in maintaining navigational aids in the busy Chesapeake Bay region. • In February 1940, Arbutus helped in the dramatic rescue of crew members from the grounded ship SS Puerto Rican near Cape Henry, Virginia. • Throughout her career, Arbutus was involved in icebreaking operations to ensure that critical shipping lanes remained open during harsh winters. • The cutter was equipped with a single diesel-electric engine, known for its reliability and efficiency for long sea missions. • USCGC Arbutus was decommissioned in 1966 after more than three decades of service, having contributed to both wartime and peacetime maritime safety. • Artifacts from Arbutus, including her bell and logbooks, are preserved in maritime museums, celebrating her legacy in American maritime history.