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POLAR MERCHANT - IMO 5361150

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Photographer:
Kyle Stubbs [ View profile ]
Captured:
Jul 7, 2012
Photo Category:
Wrecks & Relics
Added:
Jul 11, 2012
Views:
2,687
Image Resolution:
2,430 x 1,620

Description:

Though this stripped hull doesn't leave much for identification purposes, the fantail does bear three words:
POLAR MERCHANT SEATTLE.

A quick search of the normal resources gives no answers. In fact, the only POLAR MERCHANT Miramar would lead one to believe existed is a product tanker built in 2007. Definitely not this relic, though, ironically, she does exist in Miramar under a different name, but I'll get to that later.

However, a Google search does produce vague mention of a Pacific Northwest tugboat named POLAR MERCHANT, which is a much more likely identity. This doesn't exactly look like a tugboat hull, but it was a possibility. Contacting a local maritime historian got me some more info, including some pictures of her as an active tug.

Further digging revealed her previous guise of TIGER, which she bore until 1975. It is that name that does appear in Miramar, as it turns out she was launched in 1927 as the US Coast Guard Cutter TIGER (WSC-152) of the Active Class. While serving, one must note her presence on December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where she patrolled the harbor entrance during the Japanese attack, at different points coming under fire from both sides. Her military career ended in 1947, and her civilian life began, eventually leading to her end as a part of a breakwater at Tacoma's Tyee Marina, as seen here.

Characteristics (as TIGER)
Length: 38.1 meters
Beam: 7.2 meters
Tonnage: 210 GT
Year of Build: 1927
Builder: American Brown Boveri, Camden, NJ
Yard Number: 346

Vessel
particulars

Current name:
POLAR MERCHANT

Former name(s):

 -  Cherokee (Until 1976)

 -  Tiger (Until 1968)

Vessel Type:
Tug
Gross tonnage:
198 tons

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Wrecks & Relics - 1 photos

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Kyle Stubbs

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person
Interesting story and "semi-survivor", Kyle. Thanks for bringing it to us.

I also have it that she was named CHEROKEE between 1968 and 1975. Any confirmation?
Couldn't access either link - but try https://web.archive.org/web/20140530192148/http://fremonttugboat.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/scan0013.jpg
As TIGER: http://seawavesmagazine.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/another-pearl-harbor-survivor.html

IMO is 5361150 (6108921 is a feasible, but apparently unallocated number)

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person
There may be some interest here in Hawaii to bring USCGC Tiger back and restore her. Who should we talk to?

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person
Ah, I hate to tell you this but she almost sank last month while serving as part of the Tyee breakwater alongside that rust bucket Comanche. Her hull is filled with Styrofoam and old tires and is leaking oil. The EPA and CHB are circling like sharks just waiting for the Tiger to sink.

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person
Very interesting story and nice detective work--had no idea TIGER still existed! At least she is still serving something of a useful purpose, and not just rotting away on a waterfront and putting environmentalists in an uproar.

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