USCGC STORIS (cutter)
Also known as: Eskimo; Uscg Vin Cg042570
Why it's listed
Storis is a 230-foot Coast Guard cutter built in 1941-42 of welded steel, with a beam of 43 feet, 2 inches. She was designed for armed convoy escort, icebreaking and supply missions on the Greenland Patrols during World War II, and she was the only ship of her class built. Her reinforced bow, cutaway forefoot and steel ice belt let her ride up over ice and crush it. A diesel-electric plant drives a single propeller. After the war she took on law enforcement, search and rescue, salvage and aids-to-navigation work, and she later served in Alaskan waters. Over almost sixty-five years she received new paint schemes, added portholes, a larger superstructure in 1986 that made room for female crew, and updated weapons. She is now decommissioned and held in mothball status with the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay near Benicia. The nomination credits her longevity in harsh ocean conditions to her design and her crews, and notes that she keeps a high level of historic integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Storis as the only vessel of her class, designed for icebreaking, convoy escort and supply work in the Greenland Patrols of World War II. She went on to serve the Coast Guard for almost sixty-five years in several roles, including in Alaskan waters. The form argues she retains a high level of historic and physical integrity despite overhauls and minor changes.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12001110, listed December 31, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | U.S. Maritime Administration National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benicia |
|---|---|
| County | Solano County |
| Listed | December 31, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12001110 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Other: United States Coast Guard Cutter |
| Areas of significance | Military, Exploration/Settlement, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Decommissioned and in mothball status at the time of nomination; described as in excellent physical condition and listed as not in use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.08631, -122.08533 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12001110.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7866253
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.