USCGC Cowslip (WLB-277)

USCGC ''Cowslip'' (WLB-277) is a sea going buoy tender (WLB). A ''Cactus''-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. ''Cowslip''s preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On 16 September 1941 the keel was laid. She was launched on 11 April 1942 and commissioned on 17 October 1942. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $918,873.

''Cowslip'' is one of 39 original seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942–1944. All but one of the original tenders, the , were built in Duluth.

After commissioning, ''Cowslip'' was assigned to Boston, Massachusetts, where she served until 1944. From 1944 until 1973, it was assigned to Portland, Maine. ''Cowslip'' was decommissioned in 1973 and later sold to a civilian firm in 1977. After the loss of in 1980, the Coast Guard reacquired ''Cowslip'' and recommissioned her as a replacement.

After recommissioning, ''Cowslip'' was assigned to Governor's Island, New York from 1981–1983. From 1983–1984, she was moved to the Coast Guard yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland to take part in the Coast Guard's Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) that eventually provided major upgrades for 14 of the 39 180-class ships. The work done to ''Cowslip'', which cost $8.9 million, was completed in 1984 and required 16 months. The upgrades included new main engines, a Marine Sanitation Device system, upgraded electronics and navigation equipment, a propulsion control computer, and a central fluid power system. In addition, the ships's berthing spaces were renovated, the ship's office and radio room were expanded, additional storeroom space was added and the boom control booth was relocated. After renovation, ''Cowslip'' was assigned to Portsmouth, Virginia, where she stayed until 1995. In 1995 ''Cowslip'' moved to the west coast and called Astoria, Oregon home port until her retirement.

One notable incident in ''Cowslip's'' career is a collision with the container ship ''Ever Grade'' that occurred in the Columbia River in 1997. Although sustaining significant damage, ''Cowslip'' was repaired and sent back into service.

''Cowslip'' was decommissioned for a second time in November 2002 and sold to the Nigerian Navy for use as a general purpose vessel.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowslip (WLB-277)
Cactus-class seagoing buoy tenders
1942 ships
Ships built in Duluth, Minnesota
Ships of the Nigerian Navy
Ships transferred from the United States Coast Guard to the Nigerian Navy