INGHAM's History -- Introduction

Courtesy of the Coast Guard Historian's Office

With over 50 years of service around the world, USCGC INGHAM is a quintessential portrait of Coast Guard history from 1936 to 1988. Click the links above to explore some of the eras of INGHAM's valiant service to our Nation and her allies.

Vessels from our modern maritime story that played an important role in United States history include the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter INGHAM. The INGHAM was one of seven “Treasury-Class” cutters named after prominent United States Secretaries of the Treasury: Duane, Bibb, Ingham, Hamilton, Spencer, Campbell and Taney. Launched between 1936 and 1937, they fulfilled the varied missions of the Coast Guard during wartime and peacetime service for nearly 40 years before being retired. The fleet received distinguished commendations for action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Here in the Florida Keys, visitors can experience three of the seven ships. The INGHAM is a National Historic Landmark and museum ship open for tours in Key West Harbor, while the DUANE and BIBB serve as underwater museums and artificial reefs at rest off Key Largo in Florida Keys National Marine sanctuary. https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/shipwrecktrail/duane.html