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be ESCANABA, Coast Guard Cutter Completes Success ul Builders Trials OR sometime it had been apparent among those knowing conditions that a new coast guard cutter was needed for service on Lake Michigan. A sum of $650,000 was finally appropriated by congress for the construction of such a ves- Sel. On Jan. 30, 1931, officers of the coast guard, having to do with new construction, including Capt. J. A. Walton, senior machinery con- structor, Commander F. A. Hun- newell, in charge of construction, H. F. Johnson, machinery constructor, and E. M. Kent, junior constructor, held a meeting in Cleveland with representatives of vessel owners and others in order to bring out ideas on the proper characteristics of a ves- sel to best serve the purpose. At that meeting it was decided that the new cutter should have ample power and the size and shape to stand any weather likely to be met with. Fur- thermore, that she should be buiit for effective ice breaking. The di- mensions mentioned were from 150 to 170 feet in length, from 34 to 36 feet beam, with a maximum draft of 14 feet, and a speed of 15% miles. Launched on Sept. 17 Now that this new coast guard cutter, the ESCANABA has been deliv- ered, it is interesting to note from the accompanying general particu- lars how closely the final design fol- lowed the consensus of opinion at the Cleveland meeting. Contract for the new vessel was placed in November, 1931 with the Defoe Boat and Motor Works, Bay City, Mich., at a low bid of $408,- 800. Bids were opened on Novem- ber 30, 1931, eight bids being re- ceived, ranging from the low bid mentioned to a high of $670,000 The EScANABA was launched on = Escanaba. new coast guard cutter for Lake Michigan, showed speed and power on her trials Nov. 17 at Saginaw Bay, Lake TTwuron. This trim looking vessel is now ready to come to the aid of distressed ves- sels or, if necessity requires. to act as an ice breaker. She also carries two 5-pound- ers to back wp. her. authority against law breakers if need be Sept. 17, 1932, and the standardiza- tion and full power 4-hour trials were held in Saginaw Bay, Lake General Particulars Burtldenes ici: Defoe Boat and Motor Works Owen crs reese: United States Coast Guard Contract placed:aa i om crn es Nov. 1931 Coste low biddersmanc it ceo oa amas $408,800 Launched since os 80 Sept. 17,1932 Trials, standardization, full power. . Nov. 17, 1932 Length overall, feet, inches. <2 6. 20... fees 165 0 Length between pp., feet, inches........... 150 0 Beam! molded: feet:eimches.. 36... ora ace. 36 0 Depthiimolded. feet sinchess.00 0). ce ee 210 Draft, designed, mean, feet, inches .......... 12 0 Displacement, loaded, designed, tons......... 960 Dratte maxim m:feet, inches. 22-5 aves eve ss 13 0 Propelling machinery, double reduction geared turbine, single screw, shaft horsepower @ TAO He Daman ctaacceponbaeteinee oeee aie aawarpattae aus 1500 Boilers, oil burning, watertube...... 0. 62.5 .0.% 2 Working pressure, at drum, Ibs. per sq. in.....340 Steam temperature, degrees Fahr........... 650 Superheat, degrees Fahren o.oo ee 200 Complement. sue eee Officers, 5; men, 46 Service, coast guard cutter....:. Lake Michigan Speed miles: per hours enrucn eni es 15% Escanaba, single screw, turbine geared, coast guard cutter, for Lake Michigan 14 MARINE REVIEwW—January, 19383 Huron, Nov. 17. Shortly afterwards the new vessel was formally deliv- ered to the United States coast guard. In the commissioning ceremony, chief inspector, Commander Harvey F. Johnson turned the ship over to Commander H. C. Perkins, of the United States coast guard. Sea Trials Entirely Successful Results of the standardization and full power trials are tabulated in an accompanying table. Every re- quirement was. gatisfactorily met during the trials. The machinery functioned perfectly and the new vessel not only has a fine trim ap- pearance, but also proved herself an easy, quick maneuvering, able sea- boat with ample power and speed. It is difficult to imagine any weather in which this vessel could not give a good account of herself. The builder and the officers of the coast guard, having to do with her de- sign and construction, deserve the highest commendation for having produced a vessel so well fitted for rescue and assistance to vessels in distress and for ice breaking as oc- casion demands. The EsScANABA was projected and particularly designed with the view of winter service in Lake Michigan. In addition to regular carferry serv- ice across Lake Michigan, there is considerable other winter travel. In severe seasons serious difficulties have been encountered when ships have been caught in the ice. Some- times it has meant the loss of vessel and lives, but more generally it has meant distress to passengers and