USCGC Modoc (WPG-46)

USCGC Modoc (WPG-46)

USCGC Modoc (WPG-46) was a 240-foot Tampa class United States Coast Guard cutter designed for multi-mission roles. She had a top speed of sixteen knots, and was armed with a pair of 5-inch deck guns. With the breakout of war it was armed with depth charges, additional guns, sonar, and radar and transferred to the Navy. The Modoc, along with her sister ships USCGC Mojave (WPG-47) and USCGC Tampa (WPG-48) joined the Greenland Patrol.

The ship is most remembered for its role in the sinking of the Bismarck. Modoc was rescuing survivors from torpedoed convoy ships when she was put in the middle of the battle. Anti-aircraft fire from Bismarck came close to hitting the ship. In addition HMS Norfolk was about to fire on the cutter when HMS Prince of Wales identified her as US Coast Guard. Despite all of the hectic action around the ship, she survived the war.

The Modoc was returned to the Treasury Department on December 1945, and served as a patrol cutter until decommissioning in 1947. She was sold to a private owner and was converted to a merchant ship steaming Central and South American waters. After changing hands several times, the Modoc was finally scrapped in 1964.