MORGENTHAU HERE-- NEWEST 378 Eighth WHCC Will Be Home Ported At Governors Island The Coast Guard Cutter MORGENTHAU arrived at Governors Island Friday morning. May 2, 1969. The MORGENTHAU is the eighth of a class of new 378-foot high endurance cutters, and along with her sister ship's at Governors Island, the DALLAS and GALLATIN, greatly' enhances the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its duties in maritime safety, law enforcement, and military readiness. With the addition of the MORGENTHAU, the "new look" of the Coast Guard on Governors Island is coming to a realization. The MORGENTHAU is named for Henry Morgenthau, Jr., and Secretary of the Treasury from January 1934 until July 1945. A close friend of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, he performed the task of financing the New Deal domestic program and the nation's responsibilities in World War II. During his tenure of office he was responsible for spending approximately $370,000,000, about three times as much as his 50 predecessors combined. The new Cutter is the first Coast Guard unit to bear the name "MORGENTHAU," and is the eighth in the 378' Class. The MORGENTHAU was launched on 23 December 1967, and was sponsored by Mrs. Joan Hirschhorn, Jr., daughter of the late Henry Morgenthau, Jr. The MORGENTHAU is an extremely versatile cutter, capable of performing with a high degree of efficiency, operational Missions as a scientific, military, and search and rescue vessel. The ship was built by Avondale Shipyards at a Cost of approximately $16,000,000, with an additional $5,000,000 for outfitting costs. She is outfitted with the latest equipment available, and designed for excellent Maneuverability and habitability factors to reduce discomforts associated with long operations at sea. The high endurance cutter MORGENTHAU displaces 2953 long tons in a normally loaded condition. She is 350 feet between perpendiculars (length at the water line) and has a beam of 42 feet at her widest point. Either diesel or gas turbine is used to drive her twin 13 feet diameter (controllable) reversible-pitch propellers. The MORGENTHAU is also equipped with a Schottel Nederland bow propulsion unit of 350 shaft horsepower, whose propeller is trainable through 360 degrees. The MORGENTHAU is armed with a single 5"/38 gun mount forward, anti-submarine launchers (port-starboard, amidships), and six 50-caliber machine gun mounts. The ship carries a crew of 137 men and 15' officers. Her living quarters are designed with an eye toward a maximum in comfort and seaworthiness. Exposed piping and cable runs are kept to a minimum, and interior living spaces and furnishings are light and/or bright colors. With the exception of the bridge and engine room, interior spaces are air-conditioned. There is a color television in each of three crew berthing areas as well as the mess deck, wardroom, officers conference room, chief's lounge, and the commanding officer's cabin. There is also a closed circuit television system with portable cameras that cover most of the ship and are monitored on the bridge. The MORGENTHAU WHEC-722 was commissioned on Monday,10 March 1969. The Commanding Officer of the MORGENTHAU was Captain James H. Macdonald. James Hector Macdonald was born on December 22, 1923, at Adams, Mass., and graduated from East Providence High School, Rhode Island, in 1942. He entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with an appointment as Cadet in June 1943, during World War II, and was graduated with a B.S. Degree and commissioned as Ensign on June 5, 1946. His first assignment was as duty watch officer on board the 327-ft Coast Guard Cutter BIB, based at Boston Mass. He received a Commendation Medal for bravery while serving on the CGC BIB during the rescue Of 69 survivors of the flying boat BERMUDA SKY QUEEN which was forced down in mid-Atlantic on October 14, 1947. On that occasion he was cited for safely transferring a rubber raft to the plane under hazardous conditions of darkness, gale winds, and very rough seas to insure the safety of the persons remaining in the stricken plane overnight. He has served on subsequent duty at the CG Loran Transmitting Station at Amchitka, Alaska, the 180-ft Buoy tender CACTUS, and in the Aids to Navigation Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. He was Executive Officer of the ocean tug ACUSHNET following which he was commander of the buoy tender COWSLIP. His next tour of duty was Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Base at Woods Hole, Mass. He was In charge of the water side security of the President of the United States at Hyannisport, Mass. In January 1964, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College. Following graduation he was again assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters as Assistant Chief of the Shore Units Division. In February 1967, he was assigned to the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (NATO) where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his work in connection with Merchant Shipping Control.