USCGC Mesquite WLB-305

• Commissioned in 1943: USCGC Mesquite (WLB-305) was a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender, commissioned into the United States Coast Guard during World War II. • Part of the "Iris" Class: Mesquite was one of 39 Iris-class buoy tenders built between 1942 and 1944, designed for aids to navigation and icebreaking duties. • World War II Service: During the war, Mesquite performed essential work maintaining navigation aids along the East Coast and Great Lakes, crucial for military and merchant shipping. • Homeported in Duluth, Minnesota: For much of its career, Mesquite was based in Duluth, where it serviced buoys and performed icebreaking on the Great Lakes. • Notable Rescue Operations: The vessel participated in numerous search and rescue missions, saving stranded mariners and assisting other vessels in distress on the Great Lakes. • Accidental Grounding and Loss: On December 4, 1989, while tending a buoy near Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior, Mesquite ran aground. Despite efforts to refloat her, the crew had to abandon ship, and she was declared a total loss. • All Crew Survived: All 52 crew members were safely evacuated, and there were no fatalities or major injuries during the incident. • Now a Popular Dive Site: The wreck of Mesquite remains in Lake Superior and has become a well-known dive site within Isle Royale National Park, attracting divers from around the world. • Controversy and Investigation: The grounding led to a Coast Guard investigation that found navigational errors and highlighted the challenges of buoy tending in harsh winter conditions. • Legacy in Service: The Mesquite is remembered for her decades of dedicated service to navigation, safety, and rescue on the Great Lakes and is honored in maritime history exhibits and shipwreck tours.