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Polar

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 Class Hull 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 Class Hull 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

Designation Name Class Hull Service Comments Pictures
USCGC Polar Star WAGB 10 1976 – Active CGH
USCGC Polar Sea WAGB 11 1976 – Active CGH