USCGC Morris

USCGC Morris (WSC-147), was a 125 ft United States Coast Guard Active-class patrol boat in commission from 1927 to 1971. She was named for Robert Morris, (1734–1806) who was appointed in 1789 as United States Senator from Pennsylvania. In May 1966, she was redesignated as (WMEC-147).

Development and design
Active-class were designed for trailing the "mother ships" along the outer line of patrol during Prohibition. They were constructed at a cost of $63,173 each. They gained a reputation for durability that was only enhanced by their re-engining in the late 1930s; their original 6-cylinder diesels were replaced by significantly more powerful 8-cylinder units that used the original engine beds and gave the vessels an additional 3 knots. All served in World War II, but two, the USCGC Jackson (WSC-142) and USCGC Bedloe (WSC-128), were lost in a storm in 1944. Ten were refitted as buoy tenders during the war and reverted to patrol work afterward.

Originally designated WPC, for patrol craft, they were re-designated WSC, for sub chaser, in February 1942, during World War II. The "W" appended to the SC (Sub Chaser) designation identified vessels as belonging to the U.S. Coast Guard. Those remaining in service in May 1966 were re-designated as medium endurance cutters, WMEC.

Construction and career
Morris was laid down and launched by American Brown Boveri Electric Corporation, Camden on 4 April 1927. She was commissioned on 19 April 1927.

Her command was transferred to the US Navy in 1941 until 1946.

The Morris, identifiable by its "W147" marking, plays a prominent role in a 1961 episode of the television series Perry Mason entitled "The Case of the Traveling Treasure."

In May 1966, she was redesignated as WMEC-147. In 1971, USCGC Morris was the last Active-class ship to be decommissioned.

Since decommissioning
Circa 2015, the Morris was preserved at the Liberty Maritime Museum in Sacramento, California.

In 2019, the ship was listed for sale on Craigslist.

In May 2021, it was announced that the Marine Aviation Museum in Texas had acquired the ship and preparations were underway to sail her to Texas under her own power. She transited the Panama Canal in August 2021 and arrived in Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 2021.