Wind-class icebreaker


The Wind-class icebreakers were a line of diesel electric-powered icebreakers in service with the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and Soviet Navy from 1944 through the late 1970s. They were very effective ships: all except Eastwind served at least thirty years, and Northwind served in the USCG continuously for forty-four years. Considered the most technologically advanced icebreakers in the world when first built, the Wind-class icebreakers were also heavily armed; the first operator of the class was the United States Coast Guard, which used the vessels for much-needed coastal patrol off Greenland during World War II. Three of the vessels of the class, Westwind, Southwind, and the first Northwind all went on to serve temporarily for the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, while two others were built for the United States Navy and another was built for the Royal Canadian Navy; all eight vessels were eventually transferred to the United States Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Wind-class ships were the first class of true icebreakers built by the United States. Gibbs & Cox of New York provided the designs with input from the Coast Guard's Naval Engineering Division. The final design was heavily influenced by studies conducted by then LCDR Edward Thiele, USCG of foreign icebreakers, namely the Swedish Ymer, built in 1931, and the Soviet Krasin.
Seven ships of the class were built in the United States, and one modified version, HMCS Labrador, was built in Canada.

Construction

State of the art when designed, their hull was of unprecedented strength and structural integrity. The outer hull plating was constructed with 1-5/8 inch thick high tensile steel and they had a double bottom above the waterline with the two "skins" being approximately 15 inches apart, insulated with cork. Framing was closely spaced and the entire hull was designed for great strength. With a relatively short length in proportion to the great power developed, their bow had the characteristic sloping forefoot that enabled her to ride up on heavy ice and break it with the weight of the vessel. Their stern was similarly shaped to facilitate breaking ice while backing down. The sides of the icebreaker were rounded, with marked tumblehome, that enabled the ship to break free from ice by heeling from side to side. Such heeling was accomplished by shifting water rapidly from wing tanks on one side of the ship to the other. A total of 220 tons of water could be shifted from one side to the other in as little as 90 seconds, which induced a list of 10 degrees. Ballast could also be shifted rapidly between fore and aft tanks to change the trim of the ship. Diesel electric machinery was chosen for its controllability and resistance to damage, and they were fitted with a removable front propeller used to create a wash to clear ice.

General characteristics

Initially, the ships of the Wind-class carried the designation of either WAG for Coast Guard, Auxiliary, General, or, AGB for Auxiliary, General, Breaker. In 1949 all U.S. Coast Guard WAGs were redesignated WAGBs for Coast Guard, Auxiliary, General, Breaker. During 1965 and 1966, all U.S. Navy icebreakers were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard. NB: The two Northwinds referenced below are not to be confused with one another.
For Canada's Wind-class icebreaker, the Royal Canadian Navy assigned Pendant Number AW 50 to the Canadian-built HMCS Labrador. Labrador served in RCN from 1954 to 1957. Labrador was then transferred to Department of Transport, recommissioned Canadian Government Ship Labrador serving 1958 to 1962. She was again transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard and recommissioned CCGS Labrador, serving from 1962 to 1987. Labrador was not fitted with any weapons systems. Labrador possessed all the general characteristics of her American-built sister ships, but was much improved with state-of-the-art gear at the time. Labrador was the only Canadian Wind-class icebreaker to be constructed, and also the last of the Wind-class to be built.

Ships in class

USCGC ''Staten Island'' (WAGB-278)">USCGC Staten Island (WAGB-278)">USCGC ''Staten Island'' (WAGB-278)

Went to in 1944 where she was known as Severni Veter and since 1946 as Kapitan Belusov as part of the Lend-Lease program; returned to in 1951 as Northwind, renamed Staten Island in 1952, then transferred to in 1966.

USCGC ''Eastwind'' (WAGB-279)">USCGC Eastwind (WAGB-279)">USCGC ''Eastwind'' (WAGB-279)

Sent to in 1945 where she was known as Admiral Makarov as part of the Lend-Lease program. Returned to in 1950 as the USS Atka, then transferred in 1966 to where she was known as the USCGC Southwind.

USCGC ''Westwind'' (WAGB-281)">USCGC Westwind (WAGB-281)">USCGC ''Westwind'' (WAGB-281)

Sent to in 1945 where she was known as Severni Polius as part of the Lend-Lease program. Returned to in 1951, transferred to in 1952.

USCGC ''Northwind'' (WAGB-282)">USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282)">USCGC ''Northwind'' (WAGB-282)

This was the second icebreaker commissioned Northwind. The first Northwind was transferred to the USSR under Lend-Lease and became Staten Island upon her return to the United States. The name change was made to avoid confusion with the other icebreaker.

USCGC ''Burton Island'' (WAGB-283)">USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283)">USCGC ''Burton Island'' (WAGB-283)

Canadian Coast Guard.