The 327s were designed to meet changing missions of the service as it emerged from the Prohibition era. Because the air passenger trade was expanding both at home and overseas, the Coast Guard believed that the cutte-based aircraft would be essential for the future high-seas search and rescue. Also, during the mid 1930s narcotic smuggling, mostly opium, was on the increase and long-legged fairly fast cutters were needed to curtail it. The 327s were an attempt to develop a 20 knot cutter capable of carrying an airplane in a hangar. (Coast Guards first aircraft carriers?) A preliminary Coast Guard design effort married these basic desires to the basic qualities of the 250 foot cutters. The resulting design was a 316' x 46' x16' x2350 tons. A very broad, deep cutter.

Concurrently the Navy was developing a 20 knot, 2000 ton design. After comparrison the Coast Guard selected the Navy design and heavily modified it. The final 327' deign was based on the Erie class gunboats. The machinery plant and hull below the waterline were identical. Thirty two preliminary designs were drawn up before one was finally selected.

All units carried full names until May-June 1937. At that time their names were shortened to the surname. One sister ship, the HAMILTON, was sunk by the U-132 on 30 January 1942

Beam 41'
Draft 15'3"
Displacement 2656 tons

Machinery
2 Westinghouse double reduction geared turbines
2 Babcock & Wilcox sectional express, air encased, 400 psi, 200o superheated boilers

Twin 3 blade screw
Max Speed 19.5 knots 3640 miles
Ecconomic Speed 10.5 knots 9100 miles

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