269′ Wind Class Icebreaker
First US icebreakers designed to break arctic ice
Four were built for the Coast Guard in 1944
Three of the four were sent to Russia under Lend Lease
A fifth was started for the Coast Guard
At the same time, 3 were started for the Navy
The breakers that returned from Russia went to the Navy
In 1966 the Navy turned all icebreaking duties over to the Coast Guard
All Wind Class ships became Coast Guard cutters – all were white
Some were renamed
In 1976 they were painted red
All were decommissioned by 1989
Model: Yes
| Designation | Name | Classification | Hull Num | Service | Comments | Pictures |
| USCGC | Eastwind | WAG/WAGB | 279 | 1944 – 1968 | Captured German trawler Externstein in 1944 Only German surface ship captured in WWII First of the Winds to be decommissioned |
CGH |
| USCGC | Southwind (ex USS Atka) | AGB/WAGB | 3/280 | 1944 – 1945 1966 – 1974 |
Commissioned as USCGC Southwind Assisted in capture of Externstein To Russia 1945 – 1949 Transferred from Russia to the Navy in 1949 Renamed USS Atka Returned to the Coast Guard in 1966 Renamed USCGC Southwind |
NS |
| USCGC | Westwind | WAG/WAGB | 281 | 1944 – 1945 1951 – 1988 |
To Russia 1945 – 1951 | CGH |
| USCGC | Northwind | WAG/WAGB | 282 | 1945 – 1989 | The original Northwind (WAGB 278) was transferred to Russia prior to completion Another Wind Class breaker was ordered and named Northwind She was the last of the Winds to be decommissioned |
CGH |
| USCGC | Edisto (ex USS Edisto) | AG/AGB/WAGB | 89/2/284 | 1965 – 1974 | Acquired from the Navy | CGH |
| USCGC | Staten Island (ex USS Northwind) | WAG/WAGB | 278 | 1965 – 1974 | The first Wind Class breaker to be laid down To be built as USCGC Northwind (WAGB 278) Transferred to Russia prior to commissioning Transferred from Russia to the Navy in 1951 Renamed USS Northwind Returned to the Coast Guard in 1965 Renamed USCGC Staten Island |
NS |
| USCGC | Burton Island (ex USS Burton Island) | AG/AGB/WAGB | 88/1/283 | 1966 – 1978 | Acquired from the Navy | CGH |
309′ Glacier Class Icebreaker
Model: No
| Designation | Name | Classification | Hull Num | Service | Comments | Pictures |
| USCGC | Glacier | AGB/WAGB | 4 | 1966 – 1987 | Acquired from the Navy Transferred to Glacier Society for preservation Possible use as hospital ship |
NS |
399′ Polar Class Icebreaker
First new icebreakers since 1945
Starting to show their age
Model: Yes