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UPDATED: 25 Nov 2005

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The USS Edisto in the Arctic evacuating the personnel of ARLIS II - May 1965

USS EDISTO – CGC EDISTO

A Brief History

Built by Western Pipe & Steel Co., San Pedro, CA, the EDISTO was one of three replacements of the "Wind" class icebreakers that were loaned to Russia in 1945. Like other Navy icebreakers, she was named for an island – Edisto Island, lying at the mouth of the Edisto River, some twenty miles south of Charleston, SC. Both the river and the island gained their name from the Edisto Indians who inhabited the surrounding area.

Shortly after commissioning, the EDISTO (AG 89) sailed for the east coast on her shakedown cruise (11 April 1947). She was deployed with Task Force 68 during the summer for her first trip into the Arctic. Upon her return to Boston, she made her first Antarctic voyage with Task Force 39 for Operation Windmill. During the summer, 1948 the EDISTO and CGC EASTWIND went north penetrating to LAT 82° 34¢ North where they found Perry cachet of letters.

Home ported in Boston, MA (1947-65), the EDISTO has made the long 8,000 mile voyage to the frozen continent six times which she carried out a number of tasks including the establishment of Palmer Station – the only U.S. Antarctic Station on Palmer Peninsula. During Deep Freeze ¢ 61, EDISTO encountered the worse weather of her career when winds up to 90 knots buffeted the polar icepick and ice spray formed 6 feet thick on her foc’sle area that added another 600 tons to her topside weight.

The EDISTO’s northern trips were generally twofold in scope – escorting cargo ships to the military bases and then conducting oceanographic surveys in Greenland waters. The Arctic was her favorite hunting grounds. Having made 24 voyages into the forzen wasteland, it was during here 1964 cruise that EDISTO reached her northern – most point at LAT 81° 40¢ North – only 500 miles from the top of the world.

The USS EDISTO was transferred to the Coast Guard on Oct 20, 1965, as was all Navy icebreakers during 1965-66.  Designated WAGB 284, the CGC EDISTO had her hull painted white and she continued to sail into the Arctic and around the frozen continent until Nov 1974.

 During their 1967 deployment, the EDISTO and the CGC EASTWIND attempted to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean from August 6 thru September 24, but the cruise was aborted because of Russian protest.  She was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation for the period 2 - 22 DEC 1966 for the unscheduled trip to Thule and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for participating in Deep Freeze ¢69 and Deep Freeze ¢70.

After coming into the Coast Guard, the EDISTO (WAGB 284) made the following cruise dates for polar deployments:

EDISTO'S Motto:  TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

Note:  The above article was originally published in "Hooligan's Navy" Newsletter #62 (No. 1, CY '96) Winter 1996.  Printed with permission of the Editor - John Young, USCS #8219.

Minor changes have been made by the webmaster for clarity.