Ensign Frank J. Sarna, III - USCG - Galveston, TX
Posted by: 
jhuoni
N 29° 16.604 W 094° 48.540
15R E 324259 N 3240003
Homes that were once part of historic Ft. Crockett, renamed in honor of a lost Coast Guard Officer. Sadly, this marker is all that remains as the homes were so damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008 that they were torn down.
Waymark Code: WMXXMV
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2018
Views: 2
Monument Text:
Sarna Family Housing
This group of federally owned homes is named for
Ensign Frank J. Sarna III, U.S. Coast Guard (1957 - 1980).
He was the Senior Officer lost in the tragic sinking of the
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BLACKTHORN (WBL-391) on 28
January 1980. The Galveston based bouy tender sank in
Tampa Bay with a loss of 23 after colliding with
the M/V Capricorn.
These homes were originally part of Fort Crockett, US Army.
Dedicated January 26th 1990.
MARINE BOARD OF INVESTIGATION REPORT ON COLLISION BETWEEN USOGC BLACKTHORN AND TANKSHIP CAPRICORN APPROVED BY COMMANDANT
The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral John B. Hayes, has approved the report of the marine board of investigation on the collision between the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the Tankship Capricorn. The collision occurred in Tampa Bay, Florida, on January 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 Coastguardsmen.
The board determined that the cause of the casualty was the failure of both vessels to keep well to that side of the channel which lay on their starboard (right) side. In concurring with the marine board’s determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized in his "Action" that the failure of the persons in charge of both vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the primary contributing cause. Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement by using only radiotelephone communications failed to be an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals.
The collision occurred in the evening of January 28, 1980, near the junction of Mullet Key and Cut "A" Channels approximately three-quarters of a mile from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. The vessels collided nearly head on, and as a result, the port anchor of Capricorn became imbedded in the port side of the Blackthorn. The momentum of the two vessels caused the Capricorn’s anchor chain to become taut which resulted in the capsizing of the Blackthorn. The Capricorn subsequently ran aground north of the channel and the Blackthorn sank in the channel. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers were rescued.
The marine board found evidence of violation of various navigation laws on the parts of the master and pilot of the Capricorn. There were similar findings on the part of the commanding officer and officer of the deck of the Blackthorn. These matters were referred to the commanders of the Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts for further investigation and appropriate action.
The Commandant also acted on various safety recommendations made by the marine board concerning training and equipment aboard Coast Guard vessels, and navigation considerations in Tampa Bay.