GLACIER HISTORY / MISSION

Glacier was designed and built for the U.S. Navy at Ingalls Shipbuilding Company in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Construction was started in August 1953 and Glacier was completed and commissioned in May 1955. Her first homeport was Boston, Massachusetts.

On her maiden voyage, Glacier sailed south to participate in the first Operation Deep Freeze (1955-1956) in preparation for the International Geophysical Year. Glacier had the honor of being flagship for the noted polar explorer Admiral Richard Byrd during that first trip to the Antarctic.

In 1966, national responsibility for Icebreaker Operations was transferred from the Navy to the Coast Guard. Glacier shifted services and homeports. From Long beach, California she continued to service both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Since that first trip, Glacier made over two dozen Antarctic trips and more than a dozen Arctic trips in support of scientific research. By opening vital channels to allow supply ships to research stations and remote settlements, Glacier worked hard during her thirty-two years to earn her motto—"Follow Me."

In May 1985, Glacier changed homeport to Portland, Oregon, the "City of Roses", and retired from there in 1987.

While in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, Glacier's primary mission was support of scientific research. Glacier was capable of working in geographical areas of great scientific interest that few ships could penetrate. She accommodated multi-discipline scientific parties sponsored by the National Science Foundation in support of the overall United States Antarctic Research Program.

Glacier also performed channel-clearing operations while deployed; allowing supply ships access to icebound areas to provide fuel and supplies to research stations. Where supply ships could not go, Glacier did, carrying cargo and fuel to the remotest of areas.

Other missions Glacier performed were Search & Rescue and Enforcement of Laws & Treaties. Glacier's tremendous capabilities and cruising range made it an excellent platform for almost any mission required of her.

Glacier had dedicated equipment and spaces such as a weather office and four fully equipped laboratories to assist scientists in their research while aboard. Glacier was the only icebreaker equipped with deep sea coring and bottom sampling winches and equipment.