The Jacksonville Historical Naval Ship Association says the USS Orleck warship could be parked Downtown by early December.
In a news release Sept. 9, the nonprofit association said the World War II-era destroyer is scheduled for a Nov. 1 dry-dock inspection in Port Arthur, Texas.
City Council approved an agreement with the association in August to dock the Orleck at Pier 1 in the Northbank Shipyards area of the St. Johns River.
According to the association, the ship will be towed overnight Oct. 31 from its home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the safety examination at the Texas port.
“In dry-docking, the Orleck will receive an inspection of the hull to ensure it is capable of the transit to Florida and continue to serve as a museum ship,” said the release.
The nonprofit expects to know the results of the inspection by Nov. 4 and it will take 10 days to travel from Texas to Florida.
Association Vice President J.D. Weakland said in an email the ship could arrive in Downtown Jacksonville in late November or early December.
The news release says the museum inside the 1945 Gearing Class destroyer will feature the “US Navy Cold War Experience.”
The Orleck served during the Korean, Vietnam and Cold War eras and was modified under the Navy’s Fleet Rehabilitation and Maintenance Program in the 1960s, the release says.
“We look forward to bringing this ‘Bold Ship to the Bold City’ that once was home to many Cold War-era workhorses like the Oliver Hazard Perry Frigates, P-3 Orions, and MH-60 Seahawk,” it says.
“With Jacksonville’s large Naval community, we feel the Orleck is a fitting tribute and terrific match to call Jacksonville home.”
According to the association, the Orleck was awarded 18 battle stars and is the most decorated post-World War II ship.
After its Navy service, the ship was transferred to the Turkish Navy and renamed the Yüctepe (D 345). It was transferred back to the United States in August 2000 to become a museum ship.
Council approved a 10-year agreement to move the 390-foot warship museum to the pier next to the Berkman Marina and the Shipyards property.
The association spent years trying to bring the 437-foot USS Charles F. Adams to Jacksonville. It secured $2.8 million through donations, private capital, bank loans and state grants to refurbish the ship and move it Downtown.
The U.S. Navy decided not to donate the Adams and instead salvage the ship.
The Orleck deal with the city provides the nonprofit no tax money and requires the association to reevaluate the cost of running the ship every five years.
To protect the city from unforeseen expenses, the nonprofit will have to keep in reserve 110% of the cost of towing the Orleck from the Shipyards to a naval scrapyard in Texas.
The Council ordinance allows the association one year to execute its license agreement with the city and another nine months to open the museum.
