Hamilton-class cutter



The Hamilton class cutter was the largest class of vessel in the United States Coast Guard until replaced by the National Security Cutter, aside from the Polar Ice Breakers. The hull classification symbol is prefixed WHEC. The cutters are called "Hamilton class" after their lead ship, or "Secretary class" because they are named after Secretaries of the Treasury (with the exception of "Hero Class cutters" Jarvis, Munro and Midgett,). They are powered by a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) system consisting of two diesel engines and two gas turbines, and have controllable pitch propellers. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the 1960s. Beginning in the 1980s and ending in 1992, the entire class was modernized through the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program, which included the replacement of the original 5 inch (127 mm)/38 caliber gun with a much more modern 76 mm (3 inch)/62 caliber weapon. The primary mission of these vessels is enforcement of laws and treaties and search and rescue (SAR) on the high seas, including the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters by homeport
Kodiak, Alaska: San Diego, California:
 * USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)


 * USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719)
 * USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)
 * USCGC Chase (WHEC-718) (Decommissioned 29 March 2011, transferred to Nigerian Navy 13 May 2011 as the NNS Thunder (F90))
 * USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) (Decommissioned March 28 2011, transferred to the Philippine Navy 13 May 2011 as the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15))

Honolulu, Hawaii:
 * USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725) (Decommissioned October 2, 2012), transferred to the Bangladesh Navy on May 23, 2013 as BNS Somudro Joy (F-28)
 * USCGC Rush (WHEC-723)
 * USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC-722)

Charleston, South Carolina:
 * USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) (Decommissioned 30 March 2012, transferred to the Philippine Navy 22 May 2012 as the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16))
 * USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)

Seattle, Washington:
 * USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717)
 * USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)

Operators

 * 🇺🇸 - United States Coast Guard
 * $\phi$ - Philippine Navy.
 * - Nigerian Navy
 * - Bangladesh Navy