USS Orleck facts for kids
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|} The USS Orleck (DD-886) was a type of warship called a destroyer. It served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1982. A destroyer is a fast, agile warship designed to protect larger ships from smaller, faster attacks.
In October 1982, the Orleck was sold to Turkey. There, it was renamed TCG Yücetepe (D 345). After its time with the Turkish Navy, the ship was given back to the United States. It became a museum ship in Orange, Texas. Later, the Orleck moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where it is still on display today.
Contents
- Serving the United States Navy (1945–1982)
- Serving the Turkish Navy (1982–2000)
- Becoming a Museum Ship (since 2000)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | USS Orleck |
| Namesake | Joseph Orleck |
| Builder | Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas |
| Laid down | 28 November 1944 |
| Launched | 12 May 1945 |
| Commissioned | 15 September 1945 |
| Decommissioned | 1 October 1982 |
| Stricken | 6 August 1987 |
| Honors and awards |
4 battle stars (Korea) |
| Fate | Transferred to Turkey, 1 October 1982 |
 Turkey |
|
| Name | TCG Yücetepe |
| Acquired | 1 October 1982 |
| Identification | D 345 |
| Fate |
|
| Notes | moved to Lake Charles, La, and opened in September 2010. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Gearing-class destroyer |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 390 ft 6 in (119.02 m) |
| Beam | 40 ft 10 in (12.45 m) |
| Draft | 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 36.8 knots (68.2 km/h; 42.3 mph) |
| Range | 4,500 nmi (8,300 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement | 336 |
| Armament |
|
Who Was Joseph Orleck?
The ship was named after Lieutenant Joseph Orleck. He was a brave officer in the U.S. Navy. In 1943, he was in charge of a ship called the USS Nauset.
On September 9, 1943, his ship was attacked by German aircraft. It happened in the Gulf of Salerno. Lieutenant Orleck was killed during this attack. He was later given the Navy Cross for his courage.
Service History of the USS Orleck
The Orleck was built by the Consolidated Steel Corporation. This company was located in Orange, Texas. The ship's construction began on November 28, 1944. It was launched into the water on May 12, 1945. Mrs. Joseph Orleck, the widow of Lieutenant Orleck, launched the ship.
The USS Orleck officially joined the Navy on September 15, 1945. Its original cost was about $6.3 million.
_underway_in_heavy_seas,_in_the_1950s.jpg)
The Orleck worked with the 7th Fleet. This fleet helped United Nations forces during the Korean War.
In 1962, the Orleck went through a big upgrade. This was called a FRAM I overhaul. It helped keep the ship modern.
On June 7, 1965, the Orleck helped with an important mission. It assisted in recovering the Gemini 4 space capsule.
During the Vietnam War, the Orleck had many duties. It protected aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. It also took part in "Operation Sea Dragon". The ship also helped with search and rescue missions. It provided naval gunfire support to troops on land.
The Orleck was taken out of service on October 1, 1982. It was officially removed from the Navy's list of ships on August 6, 1987.
After leaving the U.S. Navy, the Orleck was given to Turkey. It then served in the Turkish Navy. In Turkey, the ship was renamed TCG Yücetepe (D 345).
Becoming a Museum Ship (since 2000)
On August 12, 2000, the Turkish government returned the Yücetepe to the United States. It was given to the Southeast Texas War Memorial and Heritage Foundation. The ship was brought to Orange, Texas. Its purpose was to be a memorial and a museum. It went back to its original name, USS Orleck.
In September 2005, Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast. The Orleck was badly damaged by the storm. After repairs, the ship was ready to go back to its dock. However, the City of Orange did not allow it to return.
The Orleck was moved temporarily to Levingston Island. Then it was docked north of Orange Harbor Island.
On May 6, 2009, the City Council of Lake Charles, Louisiana, voted. They approved an agreement to bring the USS Orleck to their city. On May 20, 2010, the ship moved to Lake Charles. It is now on display there as a museum. The museum officially opened in Lake Charles on April 10, 2011.
_aground_at_Orange,_Texas_(USA),_on_5_October_2005.jpg)
In 2019, there was a plan to move the Orleck again. This time, the idea was to move it to Jacksonville, Florida. The USS Adams Association looked at the Orleck. They believed it could make the trip safely from Lake Charles to Jacksonville.
On August 30, 2019, the Jacksonville Naval Museum announced the move was approved. They were working on final plans with the Jacksonville city council.
In February 2020, the move to Jacksonville was confirmed. The museum in Lake Charles closed on March 1, 2020. This was to get the ship ready for an inspection. The United States Coast Guard needed to check it for towing. The ship would go to a dry dock in Texas for repairs. After that, it would be towed to Jacksonville.
The tow to Jacksonville was delayed. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Hurricane Laura, the ship broke free from its moorings. It drifted about a mile down the Calcasieu River. It then drifted aground, causing some damage.
