HISTORIC FORMER U.S. NAVY DESTROYER IN DIRE STRAITS
 
The USS ORLECK, a 1945-built Navy Destroyer that served with distinction in the Korean, Vietnam, and Desert Storm conflicts, is in extreme danger of being sent to the scrap yard as a victim of Hurricane Rita.  Before Rita hit Orange, Texas in late September 2005, the ORLECK was operating there successfully as a museum, generating income from grants, donations, admissions, and souvenir sales, among other things.  During the Hurricane, the ship was hit by two runaway barges that had broken free of their moorings.  By the time the ship was repaired, the City of Orange had other plans for the ORLECK’s former berth at a waterfront city park.  Ever since, the non-profit Foundation that owns the ORLECK has sought a new home for the ship.  Proposals have been made to many cities, but none have been willing so far to give this heroic ship a home.  The owner of the ship’s current berth has requested that the ship be moved so that the property can be developed for commercial use.  The ORLECK’s Foundation fully understands the owner’s right to have the ship moved, and is grateful for being allowed to remain at its present berth for many months at no charge.  The Foundation does not want to interfere with the owner’s investment in developing the site for construction of drilling rigs – a very important contribution to the local economy.  The Foundation has been unable to find even a temporary berth for the 390 foot-long ship.  The ship is in good condition, is well insured, and the Foundation has sufficient funds to pay for berthing, although ultimately it would benefit from a low-cost or free berth to prosper again.  If a temporary berth cannot be found by March 1, 2008, the ORLECK may well be headed for the scrap yard, which would be a senseless tragedy for this historic ship, which has so much to offer any community willing to provide her a home.  Help locating a suitable waterfront city or private entity is urgently needed.  Please see www.ussorleck.org for more information, or contact the Foundation’s President, Steve Phillips, at 409-882-2197, or the Foundation’s attorney/spokesman, Evan T. Caffrey, at 504-566-8678.