Hamilton & Chase retire from the fleet

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

The crew and officers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chase

The crew and officers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chase line up at attention during the cutter’s final commissioned moments. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Kneen-Rivera.

Two stalwarts of the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters, Hamilton and Chase, were decommissioned earlier this week after leaving an indelible mark in our service’s history. The two 378-foot high endurance cutters, with close to 90 years of experience collectively, were decommissioned to make way for the new fleet of 21st century national security cutters.

Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the Revenue Cutter Service, was the namesake of both the cutter Hamilton and the class of cutters. Cutter Hamilton was the first of the Hamilton class cutters and was commissioned in March 1967. The cutter has led the service in many missions, including the 1994 search and rescue mission for which they received the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for rescuing 135 Haitians after their sailboat capsized and sank. In 1996, Hamilton served as a command and control platform for operation Frontier Shield, intercepting 14 drug-laden vessels carrying more than 115 tons of contraband worth 200 million dollars.

Unit Commendation

Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, commander, Pacific Area, and Capt. Matthew J. Gimple, commanding officer, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, stand with the oldest and newest crew members of the Hamilton after the cutter was awarded the Unit Commendation medal during its decommissioning ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Kneen-Rivera.

“Indeed there is a special relationship that exists between the sailor and the ship. Especially a ship with as long and distinguished a service record as this cutter, Hamilton,” said Vice Adm. Manson Brown, commander, Pacific Area at Hamilton’s decommissioning. “Hamilton’s sustained performance for over 44 years is a testament to the closeness of that relationship between cutter and crew. And I know that each and every sailor that has served on Hamilton takes great pride in her now legendary accomplishments.”

Salmon Portland Chase served as President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of the Treasury, and is the namesake of Chase, a cutter that bears an equally storied history. Chase was the fourth of Hamilton Class Cutters, and commissioned in March 1968. During the course of it’s service, Chase earned several notable awards including the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. In 1999 the crew of Chase seized 15,432 pounds of cocaine, the second largest cocaine bust in the service’s history.

Lowering of the National Ensign

A crewmember aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chase lowers the National Ensign during the cutter’s decommissioning ceremony held earlier this week. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Kneen-Rivera.

“Your 43-year legacy of outstanding service honors our profession by epitomizing the dedication and professionalism that are hallmarks of the Coast Guard,” said Adm. Bob Papp, Coast Guard Commandant, to the Chase’s current and past crew in announcing the cutter’s decommissioning. “Once a Chaser, always a Chaser.”

Both cutters deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Market Time, and Hamilton, the first 378-foot cutter to arrive off the coast of Vietnam in 1969, fired more than 4,600 rounds of gunfire alone in support of U.S. and Vietnamese troops.

As the new 418-foot national security cutters becomes the flagship of the fleet, their crews must always remember the legacy of those who sailed the high seas aboard Hamilton and Chase, and a small part of this legacy will continue as Hamilton will become the namesake of the fourth national security cutter.

There is no doubt that the cutter’s past is deeply ingrained in the service’s memory, and whether you were aboard Hamilton – “Semper Primus: Always First” – or aboard Chase – “There is no work better than ours” – your memories, and the cutter’s memories, will live on.

Hamilton's decommissioning

Click the above image to see a video of Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton's decommissioning ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

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  • Guest

    Chase: Nullum Opus Nos Superat, No Challenge Too Great

  • Guest

    Chase: Nullum Opus Nos Superat, No Challenge Too Great

  • Phuong-Thao T Barnes

    Both of these ships were great warriors for the Coast Guard and although it is time for them to depart from the service, it is still sad to see them go. I’m currently stationed on the Dallas and it will be a sad time also when she leaves the service. Great job Hamilton and Chase. You served well.

  • Phuong-Thao T Barnes

    Both of these ships were great warriors for the Coast Guard and although it is time for them to depart from the service, it is still sad to see them go. I’m currently stationed on the Dallas and it will be a sad time also when she leaves the service. Great job Hamilton and Chase. You served well.

  • Jim

    It startled me to see the commissioning dates, I started the Coast Guard in 1966.I guess time passes fast when you are having fun. I was on the Mendota which was built in the Coast Guard Yards Maryland 1943. I guess the ships don’t last for ever, the weather patrols just seemed to last that long…Beautiful ships, dedicated crews, many memories…

  • Johnlaw484

    My son served aboard Chase. I hate to see her go.

  • Robert W Crumley

    Served on them both. CHASE after graduating TC School in 1998 and Hamilton after making OSC in 2004. Loved my time on them both. It is sad to see them leaving the fleet. They have served the Coast Guard and the USA very well.

  • DGOEBEL611

    How well I remember these fine vessels. I worked on them in Curtis Bay, MD, and provided some class drawings for changes and upgrades. The 378 ft. class can go down in history as iconic.

  • Mark

    As always, it is the people that make the Coast Guard what it is. The ships, boats and aircraft are just a tool to accomplish the mission. It is good to see the Coast Guard phasing out the old to make way for better equipment to assist people that we serve.

  • P.Burbank

    I served on the Chase 87-88 and was shocked to see her retireing, As with anything else their time has come to step down. Alot of good times on Chase and a lot memories and Yes they both served well.

  • Rvivier

    Was stationed on MUNRO when both HAMILTON and Chase were in Boston 1973. Great cutters!!!

  • Tk3765

    Served on Chase 87-88 and was the last MST on board prior to FRAM. That one year was one of the best tours I served. Adios Chase.

  • Bmcdonmoore

    Iam sad to see them go because I was attached to them. They became part of me because I lived and worked on them both. I am sure that I am not the only one that feels this way. The different crews that shared my time on board both would probley say the same. BMC D.E.MOORE,,Retired

  • HChapa09

    Served on The Cutter Hamilton From 2007 to 2010. For it being as old as it is boat did its job.

  • Barko_ng_Pilipinas

    welcome CGC Hamilton to Philippine Fleet

  • Regan FT-2

    I’m a “Plank Owner” of the Chase, having been a member of the commissioning crew on March 11, 1968. The then new 378′s were such a big improvement over the old 311′s and 327′s it was like a different world. Hard to believe so many years have past. Now that she is decommissioned I wonder if I’ll get a plank.

  • P l Craig

    Served on Hamilton out of boot camp 1973 as an FA.She is a great ship.Long live the ol’ Hambone.

  • Colin C Hyde

    Homer Chapa! what up fool!? It’s Colin, and yes it did do a good job.

  • Tom G.

    I remember when both of these guys were new; both were stationed at Base Boston, ‘back in the day’….Sad what a lack of proper maintenance will do to a vessel !!

  • Coasty715

    Wow, It is sad to see hamilton go. I served with pride aboard her from 91 to 96. I was always glad to see both the hambone and chase along side each other. Farewell 715

  • mike

    Thanks to the USCG for handling over the venerable Hamilton and Chase coast guard cutters to the PHILIPPINES, indeed this two naval ships will help the PH patrol its long coast line against illegal intruder and protect and defends its territorial seas and 200mile EEZ.

  • Jack Berry

    Time flies. I just visited the USCGC Ingham in Key West; I was an SO3 on her in 1962. Hopefully, the Hamilton and the Chase will some day be preserved also. (The submarine base and the sub tender, “The Bushnell” are gone from Key West – where I attended Sonar school). It was great to see her.

  • Steve Newell

    I think of the Hamilton fondly with pride. It was quite an adventure.

    Steve Newell