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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
ex
 USS Burton Island (AGB-1) (1949 - 1966)
 USS Burton Island (AG-88) (1946 - 1949)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Echo - Victor - Kilo
 NEVK
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Warfield (V)ictor - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968
USS Burton Island Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Navy Unit Commendation - National Defense Service Medal - Antarctic Service Medal (7)

USCGC Burton Island Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - National Defense Service Medal - Antarctic Service Medal

Burton Island Class Icebreaker:
  • Laid down, 15 March 1946, at Western Pipe and Steel Co., San Pedro, CA.
  • Launched, 30 April 1946
  • Commissioned Miscellaneous Auxiliary USS Burton Island (AG-88), 28 December 1946, CDR. Gerald L. Ketchun, USN in command
  • Reclassified Icebreaker (AGB-1), 1 March 1949
  • Decommissioned, 15 December 1966 and transferred to the US Coast Guard
  • Commissioned USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283), 15 December 1966
  • Decommissioned by the Coast Guard, 9 May 1978
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 17 August 1980, for $261,000, to Levin Metals Corp, San Jose, CA.,
    Specifications:
    Displacement
    As Built - 3,575 t.(lt) 6,515 t.(fl), 5,425 t.(lim)
    Coast Guard 1967 - 3,052 t.(lt) 6,481 t.(fl)
    Length 269'
    Beam 63' 6" Draft 25' 9"
    Speed Trial Speed 16 Kts.
    Max Sustained 13.4 Kts, 30,929-mi radius (1967)
    Economic 11.6 Kts, 32,485-mi radius (1967)
    Complement
    Navy
    Officers - 21
    Enlisted - 332
    Coast Guard 204
    Armament
    Navy - one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    three quad 40mm AA gun mounts
    Coast Guard - none
    Aircraft two helicopters
    Fuel Capacities
    Diesel - 10,185 Bbls
    Gasoline - 7,200 Gals
    Propulsion
    six Fairbanks Morse 10-cylinder diesels driving six Westinghouse DC generators
    two 200Kw 240V D.C. diesel-drive Ship's Service Generators
    three propellers, two aft, 13,000shp, one forward
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Burton Island (AG-88)
    Burton Island
    09080136    		 129k
    Namesake
    Burton Island - An island in Rehoboth and Indian River Bays, Delaware    		 Tommy Trampp
    Burton Island 119k USS Burton Island (AG-88) underway operating in the ice, date unknown. Note the Sikorsky HO3S helicopter on deck aft.
    US Navy photo, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 484k A Sikorsky HO3S helicopter prepares to land aboard USS Burton Island (AG-88) while underway, date and location unknown.
    Acme News photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 104k USS Burton Island (AG-88) crew members appear to be playing six-man football in the snow at the South Pole. The ship along with her sister icebreaker USS Edisto (AG-89) were taking part in Operation Windmill (1947-1948), an expedition established by the Chief of Naval Operations to train personnel, test equipment, and reaffirm American interests in Antarctica.
    Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Archives - History Division    		 Bill Gonyo
    Burton Island 28k USS Burton Island (AG-88) underway, circa 1946-March 1949. The Burton Island Association
    Burton Island 55k USS Burton Island (AG-88) underway in the Arctic during "Exercise Barex-48", early 1948. Dan Guinn, USS LST-1110.org web site courtesy the H.A. Taylor Collection
    LST-1146 112k USS Burton Island (AG-88) and USS LST-1146 underway in Arctic waters during "Exercise Barex-48" early 1948.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1948.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Burton Island 98k USS Burton Island (AG-88) pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1948    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Burton Island 55k USS Burton Island (AG-88) moored pierside at the main wharf, Dutch Harbor, AK., date unknown. Note the Helicopter Utility Squadron (HU-1) Bell HTL "Sioux" (Bell model 47), H-13 helicopter approaching the ship. Harvey Golden
    Burton Island
    09080134    		 110k USS Burton Island (AG-88) crew reading the helicopter for flight in sub zero temperature. The tubes lead to the pre-heaters and the blade covers keep the frost accumulating.
    From FLICKR - posted by Ronnie Bell    		 John Spivey
    USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    Burton Island 83k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) outbond to sea passing Point Loma at the mouth of the harbor entrance to San Diego harbor, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Burton Island
    09080137    		 72k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo found on a Christmas Card.    		 Tommy Trampp
    Burton Island 60k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) clears a channel through the Arctic ice in 1953 to permit passage of other ships.
    US Navy photo.    		 Tommy Trampp
    Burton Island 105k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) off Nome, Alaska, in May 1954 during a spring cruise to the Arctic. She has put a gangway over the side for a liberty party. Note the Piasecki (Vertol) HUP helicopter hovering overhead.
    US Navy photo # USN 641186, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 78k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) at anchor off St. Lawrence Island in the middle of the Bering Sea, circa 1950s.
    Mare Island Naval Shipyard photo # 7252-10-50 taken by the ship's photographer PHAN W. L. Anderson. Burton Island was at Mare Island from 29 September to 4 December 1959.    		 Darryl Baker
    Burton Island
    09080147    		 229k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, on her 1957-1958 cruise to supply US IGY bases. Astern of Burton Island is USNS Private John R. Towle (T-AK-240)
    Official US Navy Photo    		 James Bass
    Burton Island 139k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) under way in the Arctic, circa 1950s with unknown LST. Corey Ginsberg
    Burton Island 99k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) fighting heavy ice while bringing supplies to the scientific station at Cape Hallette, Antarctica, in early 1964 during Operation Deepfreeze. To contend with fifteen-foot thick ice blocking her route, she placed charges of TNT in holes drilled in the ice around the ship and then applied full power to her six Diesel-electric engines as the charges were detonated.
    US Navy photo # USN 823888, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 74k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) under way, in 1965, location unknown.
    US Nay photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island/Atka/Glacier 98k From left to right, USS Burton Island (AGB-1), USS Atka (AGB-3) and USS Glacier (AGB-4) pushing an iceberg out of the channel near McMurdo Station, Antarctica, 29 December 1965.
    US Navy photo from DANFS.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Burton Island 34k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) circa March 1949-December 1966 The Burton Island Association
    Burton Island 466k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) under way, circa March 1949-December 1966.
    Photo by Ronald Roy SMC USN Ret.    		 Scott Nelson for his Grandfather Ronald Roy SMC USN Ret. USS Atlas
    Burton Island 312k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) moored in the ice, date and location unknown - Now that's a really Cold Beer. Ron Jensen
    Burton Island 58k USS Burton Island (AGB-1) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from Veramar Arts.    		 Tommy Trampp
    USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    Burton Island 501k USCGC Burton Island (WABG-283) meets up in McMurdo Sound, Antarctic, during "Operation Deep Freeze", 1969 with two sister Coast Guard icebreakers. USCG Glacier (WAGB-4) is close aboard to starboard and USCG Southwind (WAGB-280) is directly astern.
    US Coast Guard photo from the collections of the US Coast Guard Historian's Office.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 36k USCGC Glacier (WAGB-4), followed by USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283), and USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280) as they crush a path through heavily iced McMurdo Sound, in the Antarctic for cargo ships to follow to the main base at Hut Point, Ross Island, during "Operation Deep Freeze", 1969.
    US Coast Guard photo # GAP1-01-00-69; 1969    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 41k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) post December 1966 The Burton Island Association
    Burton Island 383k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) moored in the ice at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, January, 1968. Here she displays an early design of the Coast Guard stripe that does not include the Coast Guard shield. Coast Guard cutters began adding the stripe to their hulls beginning in 1967. Photo by LCDR R. H. Stracener, USCG Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 206k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283), foreground, and USCGC Edisto (WAGB-284) underway in the ice during Operation Deep Freeze '69/70, circa December 1969 to February 1970 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 1982k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283), foreground, and USCGC Edisto (WAGB-284) underway in the ice during Operation Deep Freeze '69/70, circa December 1969 to February 1970 Gary French AT3 USCG USCGC Edisto
    Burton Island 57k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) refueling at Cape Hallett, 1 January 1971. Note the ever curious penguins parading in the foreground, Photo by Walker, PH3. Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 26k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) tied to her mooring in the ice. Note No Parking sign and penguins.
    USCG photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Maumee 1387k Ships anchored in Winter Quarters Bay, Antarctica, 13 February 1971. From (L-R);
    inboard USNS Maumee (T-AO-149),
    outboard USCGC Staten Island (WAGB-278),
    inboard USNS Wyandot (T-AKA-92),
    outboard USCGC Burton Island(WAGB-283),
    and across the bay, the New Zealand supply ship HMNZS Endeavour (A-184).
    US Navy photo [negative] No. XAM-120263-2-71 by PH2 Sterling.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 232k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) under way in the Port of Wellington, New Zealand, 27 December 1975. Photo from the Chris Howell collection with copyright
    Burton Island 20k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283), during Operation Deep Freeze 1978 breaking out the channel to McMurdo Station. Photo by Keith Kuczka taken from the deck of USCGC Glacier
    Burton Island 147k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Coast Guard photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 494k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) steaming under the San Francisco - Oakland Bridge in late 1977 or April 1978.
    US Coast Guard photo from the US Coast Guard Historian's Officer.
    Caption, LCDR Ellis H. Davison, II USCG (Ret.)    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 258k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Coast Guard photo from the US Coast Guard Historian's Officer.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 85k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Coast Guard photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Burton Island 103k USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Coast Guard photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    USS / USCGC Burton Island
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Ketchun, Gerald Lyle, USN :RADM28 December 1946 - 22 September 1947USS Burton Island (AG-88)
    02LCDR. Dawley, Frank Lucien, USN22 September 1947 - 1 October 1947USS Burton Island (AG-88)
    03CDR. McDonald, Edwin Anderson, USN (USNA 1931)1 October 1947 - 13 October 1948USS Burton Island (AG-88)
    04CDR. Gibson, Jack Eugene, USN (USNA 1937)13 October 1948 - 21 June 1950USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    05CDR. Turner, Vernon Clark, USN (USNA 1933)21 June 1950 - 9 July 1950USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    06LCDR. McWethy, Robert Devore, USN (USNA 1942) :RADM (temporary)9 July 1950 - 14 July 1950USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    07CDR. Schwartz, John R., USN14 July 1950 - 26 October 1951USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    08CDR. Maher, Eugene Hugh, USN (USNA 1932)26 October 1951 - 25 November 1953USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    09CDR. Trickey, Everett Alan, USN (USNA 1939)25 November 1953 - 28 September 1955USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    10CDR. Reedy, Joseph Elmo, USN (USNA 1941)28 September 1955 - 8 November 1957USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    11CDR. Brantingham, Henry Joseph, USN (USNA 1939)8 November 1957 - 24 January 1959USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    12CAPT. Weatherup, Robert Alexander, USN (USNA 1940)24 January 1959 - 7 December 1959USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    13CDR. Evans Jr., Griffith Conrad, USNR7 December 1959 - 9 November 1960USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    14CDR. Deacon III, William, USN9 November 1960 - 11 July 1962USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    15CDR. Lewis, George Howard, USN11 July 1962 - 18 November 1963USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    16CDR. Mitchell, George Wilber, USN18 November 1963 - 3 May 1965USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    17CDR. Gott, Charles Lawrence, USN3 May 1965 - 1 November 1966USS Burton Island (AGB-1)
    01CAPT. Leland, Bainbridge Bradley, USCG (USCGA 1943)1 November 1966 - 1969USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    04CAPT. McLean, Frank E., USCGJuly 1969 - June 1971USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    05CAPT. Schmidt, George R., USCG (USCGA 1948)June 1971 - July 1973USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    06CAPT. Moore, Robert Gerald, USCG (USCGA 1952)July 1973 - June 1975USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    07CAPT. Fournier, Janes McHugh (Jim), USCG (USCGa 1954 June 1975 - 10 May 1977USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    08CDR. Farmer, Robert, USCG10 May 1977 - 9 May 1978USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USN/USCG Burton Island Association
    USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)(Wikipedia)
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    Last Updated 22 March 2024