White Castle in Iberville Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

White Alder Memorial Light

Photographed By Kenneth Ramagost, November 18, 2018

1. White Alder Memorial Light Marker

Inscription. Here in Bayou Goula Bend on December 7, 1968 the Coast Guard Cutter White Alder sank after collision with the Formosan Freighter Helena. This light is dedicated to the crew of the White Alder. Seventeen Coast Guardsmen lost their lives in the collision. Three of the crew survived. Only two bodies were recovered. It is believed that fifteen men remain entombed in the wreckage, buried at the bottom of the river, opposite this structure.

(Names not transcribed)

Erected by U.S. Coast Guard.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 30° 11.996′ N, 91° 10.138′ W. Marker is in White Castle, Louisiana, in Iberville Parish. Marker is on HY 405 River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Castle LA 70788, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bayou Goula (approx. one mile away); Iberville African-American Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); St. John Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); A Civil War Soldier (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mayor S. J. "Blue" Guercio, III (approx. 2½ miles away); Staff Housing, U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, Carville

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(approx. 2½ miles away); Triumph At Carville: A Tale of Leprosy in America (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Daughters of Charity (approx. 2.6 miles away).

More about this marker. Please see list of Crewmen at Baton Rouge Historical Marker shown in related marker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. USCGC WHITE ALDER/WLM-541 7 December 1968

Also see . . . Coast Guard Honors CGC White Alder Crew. (Submitted on November 29, 2018, by Kenneth Ramagost of Unknown, Louisiana.)

Additional commentary.
1. My viewing the accident immediately after.
I was riding a go-cart behind the levee in White Castle and heard an aircraft fly over and a rescue ship going upriver. Became concerned and went home. Heard an accident occured and went back, looked upriver and saw the Freighter, it seemed as wide as the river and realized there must have been a severe accident.

— Submitted November 29, 2018, by Kenneth Ramagost of Unknown, Louisiana.

Additional keywords. Coast Guard

White Alder Memorial Light in front of the levee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kenneth Ramagost, November 18, 2018

2. White Alder Memorial Light in front of the levee

White Alder Memorial Light Marker and flag image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kenneth Ramagost, November 18, 2018

3. White Alder Memorial Light Marker and flag

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2018, by Kenneth Ramagost of Unknown, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2018, by Kenneth Ramagost of Unknown, Louisiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.