Aster, 1944 (WAGL-408)
Any of various plants of the genus Aster in the composite family, having radiate flower heads with white, pink, or violet rays and a usually yellow disk. Builder: Martinolinch Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California Length: 106' 3" Beam: 30' 9" Draft: 8' Displacement: 450 tons fl Cost: Commissioned: April 1944 (USCG) Decommissioned: 15 August 1962 Disposition: ?? Machinery: 2 x Caterpillar diesels, 270 hp, twin screws Performance & Endurance: Max: 7.5 knots, 2,915 mile range (1956) Deck Gear: 1 ton boom capacity Complement: 10 men Armament: None Electronics: Bendix Marine detection radar
History:
United States Coast Guard Cutter Aster (WAGL-408), along with her sister ship Thistle (WAGL-409), were former-U.S. Army barges. They were constructed of wood and both were built by the Martinolinch Shipbuilding Corporation. The Aster was commissioned into the Coast Guard in 1944 and was stationed at Seattle, Washington, throughout her Coast Guard career. She carried out aids to navigation duties and logistics functions for light stations and light ships in her area.