Two large floating cranes were later used to recover the wreck where it
sank in 57 feet of water. While declared a total wreck, the vessel was raised as part of the Coast Guard investigation as
to what happened. It later was re-sunk in 100 feet of water off the West Virginia coast where it now serves as a reef.
A Marine Board of Inquiry that convened in Baltimore,
Maryland, concluded that Commander Robinson failed to properly identify the navigation lights displayed on the approaching
freighter and mistakenly turned the Cuyahoga directly into the path of the larger ship.
As a partial result of the accident the Coast
Guard instituted tougher controls and certifications for trainees. This includes periodic examinations for deck watch officers
and rigorous seamanship refresher courses for all prospective commanding officers and executive officers.
Built in 1927, the Cuyahoga was the oldest operational
commissioned ship in all of the United States sea services at the time it was lost. Its steel hull was driven by two diesel
engines and twin screws which gave her a maximum speed of 13 knots. She had a maximum cruising range of 4,900 miles.
During those 51 years of service, Cuyahoga was
involved in chasing rum runners, served as a U.S. Navy tender for the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac, patrolled the U.S. coast
during World War II and also escorted vessels between Guantanamo Bay, Trinidad and Paramaribo. During the war Cuyahoga was
armed with one anti-aircraft gun and two depth charge racks.
From 1957 until the day it was rammed, Cuyahoga
served mostly as a training vessel.
