Sailing the arctic patrol

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

The United States Coast Guard Cutter Mojave (WPG 47) was commissioned in 1921. It was in a new class of four ships with a modern power plant. The Mojave immediately went into service in Alaska patrolling the Bering Sea. In 1925, the ship was deployed to the Atlantic chasing rumrunners from Boston to Bermuda.

When World War II broke out the Mojave was transferred to the U.S. Navy. The ship began running arctic patrols from Nova Scotia to Greenland. Initially the Mojave was a weather ship and acted as a navigation beacon. As the Battle of the Atlantic progressed, the ship began anti-submarine patrols as a convoy escort. In 1942 the U.S. transport ship Chatham was torpedoed. The Mojave rescued 570 soldiers destined for England. The ship continued to serve until 1948 when it was sold to a private company. The Mojave was eventually scrapped in 1964.

Poplar Bluff native Ralph Mitchell served aboard the U.S.S. Mojave on those freezing arctic patrols during the Battle of the Atlantic. The tattered American flag that flew on the ship during the war is on display in the Kanell Hall of the Poplar Bluff Museum. Mitchell’s personal wartime photos can also be viewed next to the flag.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 N. Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.