Texas Clipper

USTS Texas Clipper, South Padre Island, Texas, November 2006
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
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

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.

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, 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. 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.

While being prepared to become an artificial reef, Texas Clipper was docked at the Port of Brownsville, Texas for cleaning of hazardous materials and modifications for wildlife and diver safety. 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.