The second ESCANABA (WHEC-64) was built by Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Pedro, California and was commissioned March 20, 1946.  The ship was a 255-foot gunboat powered by a Westinghouse 4,000 turbo-electric engine, and single propeller.  Full displacement tonage was 1,978.

The ESCANABA was originally named Otsego. ESCANABA was home ported at Alameda, California, from 1946 to 1954, and used for law enforcement, ocean station, and search and rescue operations in the Pacific.  ESCANABA was decommissioned and placed in storage from 1954 to 1957. From 1957 to 28 June 1973, ESCANABA was stationed at New Bedford, MA, and used for law enforcement, ocean station, and search and rescue operations in the Atlantic.

In late November 1965, ESCANABA assisted the US motor vessels American Pilot and Maumee Sun following their collision west of Cape Cod Canal.  On 10 January 1966,ESCANABA rescued two survivors from motor vessel Monte Palomares that sank in heavy seas with a loss 31 lives. On 5 February 1967, ESCANABA rescued two Cuban refugees from Elbow Cay.  In January 1969, ESCANABA was disabled 100 miles east of Virginia Beach, Virginia, when the aft bearing on the main motor burned out. ESCANABA arrived at Norfolk, VA, on 20 January.  From 28 December 1969 to 2 January 1970, ESCANABA escorted the distressed East German motor vessel Ange to Bermuda.

On 13 January 1970, ESCANABA stood by the Norwegian motor vessel Chandeleur in the mid-Atlantic until fire damage was repaired. Two days later, ESCANABA escorted the distressed Norwegian motor vessel Condo until she could proceed on her own.  On 25 March 1970, ESCANABA medevaced a crewman from the Korean motor vessel Kumsong in the mid-Atlantic.

On December 27, 1970ESCANABA performed a dramatic rescue at sea when the crew saved the lives of 31 crewmembers from the 540 foot Finnish tanker Ragny, approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Boston in storm force winds and seas. ESCANABA was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation and the Finnish Lifesaving Medal for the rescue.

"THE SPIRIT LIVES ON"

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