Texas Clipper

USTS Texas Clipper, 473 foot ship, served as a merchant marine training vessel with the Texas Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston for 30 years beginning in 1965. Her name is reflective of clipper ships of old, both designed with a characteristic rounded stern.

History
United States
Name: USTS Texas Clipper
Namesake: A clipper ship
Builder: Bethlehem Steel
Laid down: 2 March 1944
Launched: 12 September 1944
Christened: USS Queens (APA-103)
Acquired: 1965
Renamed: Excambion, USTS Texas Clipper
Identification: IMO number: 5110616
Fate: Sunk as an artificial reef off Texas, 17 November 2007
General characteristics
Displacement: 7,970 tons (lt), 13,143 t. (fl)
Length: 473 ft 1 in
Beam: 66 ft
Draft: 25 ft
Propulsion: Bethlehem geared turbine drive, 2 × Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers, single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,000
Speed: 17 knots
Notes: MCV Hull No. 1677, hull type C3-S-A3

Prior to her service as a training vessel, Texas Clipper had served in World War II as an attack transport vessel named USS Queens. Following the war, in 1948, Queens was converted into the trans-atlantic ocean-liner SS Excambion,[1] a member of the quartet of ships referred to as "4 Aces" for American Export Lines. Excambion carried passengers and cargo on a regular sailing route from New York to various Mediterranean ports.

Following service as a training ship, the Texas Clipper I was moored at the Beaumont Reserve Fleet from 1996–2006.[2][3] In 2006, Texas Clipper was transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program to be turned into an artificial reef. This transfer allowed the ship to not be scrapped.

History

The Texas Clipper was initially used by the US military in World War II as a troop transport vessel USS Queens. During the 1950s, the ship was converted to a commercial ocean liner carrying passengers, principally across the Atlantic, but also with trips to Pacific.[4]:8:30 The ship subsequently became a training vessel for maritime cadets.[5][4]

Texas Clipper was launched in September 1944, and used in the latter stages of World War II as an attack transport vessel named USS Queens.[1]

In 1948, Queens was converted into the trans-atlantic ocean-liner SS Excambion,[1] a member of the quartet of ships referred to as "4 Aces" operated by American Export Lines. Excambion carried passengers and cargo on a regular sailing route from New York to various Mediterranean ports.

SS Excambion was the site of a major scandal in 1957 in Marseille when the ship was found to be carrying 20 kg of heroin for the French Connection.[6]

Before the demolition process began in the 2000s to prepare the ship for sinking as an artificial reef, a large 11-panel mural by Saul Steinberg was discovered inside the ship. Created for the ship's conversion from attack transport USS Queens to cargo liner Excambion, it was serendipitously discovered beneath wallpaper above the bar in the ship's aft lounge.[5] Saul Steinberg, a cartoonist and illustrator, well known for his many "New Yorker" magazine cover drawings, created the large murals for Texas Clipper and the other "4 Aces" ships.[7] Texas Clipper was the subject of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department video that provided an account of the mural's discovery prior to sinking the ship as an artificial reef off Brownsville, Texas. When asked to estimate the value of unusually large (22 ft.) mural, — according to Dale Shively, Artificial Reef Coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife — the Steinberg Foundation responded, "not millions of dollars, but it's probably at least six figures".[8] The mural was removed for restoration and preservation.

Artificial reef

While being prepared from November 2006 to early November 2007 [9] to become an artificial reef, Texas Clipper was docked at the Port of Brownsville for cleaning of hazardous materials, and modifications for marine life and diver safety.[10] The conversion, cleanup and sinking cost over 4 million dollars. The Texas Clipper was sunk on November 17, 2007, approximately 17 nautical miles (31 km) northeast of South Padre Island, TX. It was placed in 132 feet (40 m) of water. The top of the ship has reached depths as shallow as 50 feet (15 m).

The TPWD used careful consideration during the conversion of the ship into an artificial reef to preserve the ship's appearance. All masts and kingposts that were cut to meet Coast Guard clearance requirements being secured to the deck of the ship to add interest for divers and increase complexity for wildlife.

At 473 feet (144 m) in length, Texas Clipper was one of the largest vessels (in 2006) serving as an artificial reef off Texas. The SS V. A. Fogg, which sank during a mishap off Freeport, Texas, was 570 feet (174 m) in length. Twelve other World War II era ships are also part of the TPWD Artificial Reef Program.

Unfortunately, when it hit the ocean floor the vessel tipped onto its side, blocking access to its interior for fish and divers. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman Aaron Reed said it was unclear what caused the ship to tip. He said the state might ask the company that prepared the ship for its sinking to correct its position. The sinking of the ship cost the state about US$4 million.[1]

The Texas Clipper (midship) rests at Lat. 26* 11' 24.695"N Lon. 96* 51' 40.238"W.[11]

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References
  1. Dale Shively. "The USTS Texas Clipper: A New Artificial Reef in the Gulf of Mexico". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  2. "USTS Texas Clipper (1965 - 1996)" (PDF). Texas Parks & Wildlife. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  3. "National Defense Reserve Fleet Inventory" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. August 31, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  4. Texas Clipper, An Ocean Oasis (10 Years In). Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. "Texas Clipper Artificial Reef Sinking Postponed". Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  6. Reavill, Gil (2012). Mafia Summit. Thomas Dunne Books.
  7. American Export Lines (May 1950). "Mediterranean Passenger Service by the New '4 Aces' (Brochure)". Sailings and Rates. 4: 40.
  8. Dale Shivley (2007). The Texas Clipper (News video). Brownsville, Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Archived from the original on 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  9. Curley, Stephen. "Texas Clipper". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  10. 44 Blue Productions. "Sinking A Ship". Mega Movers. 60 minutes in. The History Channel.
  11. "Texas Clipper Reef Boundary" (PDF). Texas Parks & Wildlife.

See also
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