USCGC Modoc (WPG-46)

• Commissioned in 1922: USCGC Modoc (WPG-46) was commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1922, designed as a Lake-class cutter primarily for patrol and rescue missions. • Named After a Native American Tribe: The cutter was named after the Modoc tribe, indigenous people of what is now northern California and southern Oregon. • Part of the Greenland Patrol: During World War II, Modoc played a key role in the Greenland Patrol, conducting escort operations, search and rescue, and weather reporting in the treacherous North Atlantic. • Encounter with Bismarck: One of Modoc's most famous moments occurred in May 1941 when she accidentally sailed into the engagement between the German battleship Bismarck and British warships. Modoc's unexpected presence helped British forces visually reacquire Bismarck. • Survived Near Misses: During the Bismarck encounter, Modoc was nearly fired upon by both British and German ships, but managed to escape unscathed. • Icebreaking Duties: Modoc was equipped for light icebreaking and often operated in icy waters, ensuring safe passage for convoys and conducting rescues under hazardous conditions. • Rescue Operations: The cutter participated in several daring rescues, saving the crews of ships wrecked or sunk by enemy action or weather in the North Atlantic. • Armed for War: During WWII, Modoc was fitted with additional weaponry, including depth charges, to counter the threat from German U-boats. • Service Life: Modoc served the Coast Guard faithfully for over 25 years, from 1922 until her decommissioning in 1947. • Legacy: The story of Modoc’s involvement with the Bismarck and her extensive service in dangerous waters has made her one of the more storied cutters in Coast Guard history, frequently cited as an example of courage and professionalism.