Comanche
Type: Ships
Owner: Comanche 202 Foundation
Phone: 253-536-9080
Designation*: N/A
Built: 1944
Location: Port of Olympia, Tacoma
Map and directions (Courtesy Google Maps)
Hours: Contact owner
Admission: Contact owner

*DOE=Designated eligible; NR=National Register of Historic Places; NHL=National Historic Landmark; WHR=Washington Heritage Register; City=Local city; County=Local county; N/A=Not applicable

Comments from site users
1/25/2008 1 out of 5
I served on the Cutter comanche from 1977 to 1979 as a manchinery technician. I was very surprised to discover it tied up in Olympia

12/6/2007 5 out of 5
A National treasure preserved by caring seamen, she can still serve as the stimulus for young men to serve their country and enjoy great adventure doing it.

Launched on October 10, 1944 in Port Arthur, Texas as the ATA 202, the tug Comanche was one of 89 large, heavy duty, sea-going tugs ordered by the U.S. Navy in World War II to tow vessels from the theater of action. The tug saw action in the Okinawa campaign, earning one battle star for towing battle-damaged ships out of the line of fire to repair facilities. She returned to the United States in September, 1945. ATA 202 began duty in the 11th Naval District at San Diego towing various Navy vessels and barges as needed. She was reassigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet's Texas Group in March 1946 and named USS Wampanoag on July 16, 1948 and placed out of service in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

In 1959, USS Wampanoag was loaned to the U.S. Coast Guard by the U. S. Navy. The USCG commissioned the Wampanoag as the USCG Medium Endurance Cutter Comanche. The Navy permanently transferred Comanche to the Coast Guard, and she was home-ported in California USCG District 11 and later USCG District 12, where she was assigned to law enforcement and search and rescue patrols as well as the re-supply of remote light stations and lightships. In 1967, After a stint at Corpus Christi, Texas, Comanche returned to the west coast in 1969, where she home-ported at Eureka, Calif. for the remainder of her Coast Guard . During this period of service, Comanche and its crew were awarded the coveted Coast Guard "E" Ribbon, which denotes it won the battle efficiency competition. Decommissioned on January 30, 1980, Comanche is now in the care of the not-for-profit Comanche 202 Foundation.