Thirty years ago Thursday, 23 seamen aboard the Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn died after the ship collided with a tanker about a mile west of the Sunshine Skyway bridge.
About 200 people attended today's ceremony at the northern approach to the bridge to honor the men. The accident is the Coast Guard's worst peacetime disaster.
"Every year we gather here to reaffirm our commitment, our connection to members of our family lost on the Blackthorn," said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard.
Allen knew one of the victims, Chief Warrant Officer Jack Roberts.
The 180-foot Blackthorn, which had 50 crewmen aboard, was navigating a tricky channel west of the bridge about 8:20 p.m. when it collided with the 605-foot SS Capricorn. The Blackthorn sank within three minutes of the collision, and the Capricorn, which was carrying 150,000 barrels of oil, was slightly damaged.
At the ceremony Thursday, Rear Adm. Steve Branham read the names of the victims. For each name read, a rose was placed at the foot of the memorial and a bell was rung.
Wally Patanow
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