USS Orleck facts for kids
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USS Orleck in 1964
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | 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 |
| Identification |
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| Honors and awards |
4 battle stars (Korea) |
| Fate | Transferred to Turkey 1 October 1982 |
| Badge | _Insiginia.png) |
 Turkey |
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| Name | Yücetepe |
| Namesake | Yücetepe |
| Acquired | 1 October 1982 |
| Identification | Hull number: D 345 |
| Fate | Returned to the USA 12 August 2000 |
| Status | Museum ship in Jacksonville, Florida |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Gearing-class destroyer |
| Displacement |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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The USS Orleck (DD-886) is a special type of warship called a Gearing-class destroyer. It served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1982. In October 1982, it was sold to Turkey and renamed Yücetepe (D 345). After its time with the Turkish Navy, the ship became a museum ship. It has traveled quite a bit, from Orange, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and finally to Jacksonville, Florida. Since April 3, 2023, it has been docked at its permanent home at the Shipyards West in Jacksonville, where it serves as a Naval Museum.
Contents
Who Was Joseph Orleck?
The USS Orleck was named after a brave man named Joseph Orleck. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1906. Joseph joined the Navy in 1924 and worked his way up through the ranks.
He became a Lieutenant and took command of the ship USS Nauset in 1943. Sadly, he went down with his ship during a bomber attack in the Gulf of Salerno on September 9, 1943. Joseph Orleck was honored with the Navy Cross for his heroic efforts to save his ship during the attack. He also received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for rescue work during the Casablanca invasion.
Building and Launching the Ship
The Orleck was built by the Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas. Its construction began on November 28, 1944. The ship was launched into the water on May 12, 1945. Mrs. Joseph Orleck, Lieutenant Orleck's widow, was the sponsor at the launching ceremony. The ship officially joined the Navy on September 15, 1945. Building the Orleck cost about US$6,313,000.
Service History of the USS Orleck
The Orleck had an active career with the U.S. Navy. On November 14, 1947, it had a small accident with the submarine USS Bugara (SS-331) during a practice attack off Southern California.
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The ship played a role in the Korean War, supporting United Nations forces as part of the United States Seventh Fleet. In 1962, it received a major upgrade called a FRAM I overhaul. This helped keep the ship modern and ready for new missions. A few years later, on June 7, 1965, the Orleck helped recover the Gemini IV space capsule after it returned to Earth.
During the Vietnam War, the Orleck was very busy. It acted as a "plane guard" for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin, making sure pilots were safe. It also took part in "Operation Sea Dragon" and helped with search and rescue missions. The ship also provided naval gunfire support, using its powerful guns to help ground troops.
The Orleck finished its service with the U.S. Navy on October 1, 1982.
After leaving the U.S. Navy, the Orleck was transferred to Turkey. It then served in the Turkish Navy and was given a new name: TCG Yücetepe (D 345).
Life as 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 in Orange, Texas. There, it became a memorial and museum, going back to its original name, USS Orleck.
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In September 2005, Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast and caused serious damage to the Orleck. After repairs, the ship was ready to return to its dock. However, the City of Orange did not allow it to come back. The Orleck had to move temporarily to Levingston Island.
In 2009, the City Council of Lake Charles, Louisiana, voted to bring the USS Orleck to their city. The ship moved to Lake Charles on May 20, 2010, and officially opened as a museum there on April 10, 2011.
In 2019, there were discussions about moving, sinking, or scrapping the ship. However, the museum continued to operate. Later that year, the Jacksonville Naval Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, decided to try and acquire the Orleck. They had previously planned for another ship, but the Orleck was found to be in good enough condition for the move.
The move to Jacksonville was confirmed in February 2020. The ship closed in Lake Charles on March 1, 2020, to get ready for an inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard. This inspection was needed before it could be towed to a dry dock in Texas for repairs.
The tow was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During Hurricane Laura, the ship broke free from its moorings in the Calcasieu River. It drifted about a mile downstream and ended up stuck on land with some damage.
In August 2021, the Jacksonville City Council officially approved the ship to be docked in downtown Jacksonville. In December 2021, it was towed from Lake Charles to Port Arthur, Texas, for drydocking. The ship was found to be in much better shape than expected, and restoration work was done to extend its life by 15 years.
On January 11, 2022, ownership of the Orleck was officially transferred to the museum association in Jacksonville. With all the restoration work and inspections completed, the ship left Port Arthur, Texas, on March 17, 2022, under tow to Jacksonville.
The USS Orleck arrived in Jacksonville on March 26, 2022. It officially opened to the public as a museum on October 5, 2022. It now welcomes visitors to explore its history and learn about naval life.
