USCGC Mendota was a Lake-class cutter belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 20 June 1928 and commissioned on 23 March 1929.[1] After 12 years of service with the Coast Guard, she was transferred to the British Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease Act. While escorting an SL convoy, on 31 January 1942 she was sunk when struck by two torpedoes fired by the German submarine U-105.
 USCGC Mendota, under construction, circa 1928.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USCGC Mendota |
| Namesake | Lake Mendota |
| Builder | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation |
| Laid down | 20 June 1928 |
| Launched | 27 November 1928 |
| Commissioned | 23 March 1929 |
| Fate | Transferred to Royal Navy, 30 April 1941. |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Culver |
| Commissioned | 30 April 1941 |
| Identification | Pennant number: Y97 |
| Fate | Sunk by U-105, 31 January 1942. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | |
| Displacement | 2,075 long tons (2,108 t) |
| Length | 250 ft (76.2 m) |
| Beam | 42 ft (12.8 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft 11 in (3.9 m) |
| Propulsion | 1 × General Electric turbine-driven 3,350 shp (2,500 kW) electric motor, 2 boilers |
| Speed |
|
| Complement | 97 |
| Armament |
|
Career
editU.S. Coast Guard - Mendota
editAfter commissioning in March 1929, Mendota was homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.[2] On 22 December 1939, Sebago attempted to assist the 2,847 gross register tons (GRT) Greek steamship Aliakmon, which had grounded north of Wash Woods, Virginia. The 12-inch (30 cm) hawser that had been secured to the vessel parted, but Mendota, having arrived a few hours later, was able to float the $200,000 vessel.[2]
Royal Navy - Culver
editAs part of the Lend-Lease Act she was transferred to the Royal Navy where she was renamed HMS Culver (Y87) and commissioned on 30 April 1941.[3] On 31 October 1941, Culver picked up 25 people from the Dutch merchant vessel Bennekom which had been sunk by a torpedo from U-96.
Sinking
editOn 31 January 1942, while escorting convoy SL 98, Culver came under fire by the German submarine U-105.[4] At 23:31 hours, she was struck twice, once on the port side in the forward boiler room and once further aft that likely struck the vessel's magazine. Culver broke in two and sank in less than a minute. The commander, 7 officers and 119 ratings were lost. A single officer and 12 ratings survived the sinking and were rescued by HMS Londonderry.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "USCGC Mendota". uboat.net. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Mendota (1929)" (PDF). USCG. US Coast Guard. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "HMS Culver (Y 87)". uboat.net. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ a b Helgason, Guðmundur. "HMS Culver (Y 87) - Sinking". uboat.net. Retrieved 24 July 2015.