USS Orleck

2025-09-25T22:46:00Z

2603:6080:2105:95C3:3914:16A8:A86:FBF: Fixed minor typo

{{Short description|Gearing-class destroyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= USS Orleck (DD-886) underway off Point Loma, in 1964.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Orleck'' in 1964
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1982}}
|Ship name= ''Orleck''
|Ship namesake=[[Joseph Orleck]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Consolidated Steel Corporation]], [[Orange, Texas]]
|Ship laid down=28 November 1944
|Ship launched=12 May 1945
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=15 September 1945
|Ship decommissioned=1 October 1982
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship identification=*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NBIG
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|India}}{{ICS|Golf}}
*[[Hull number]]: DD-886
|Ship struck=6 August 1987
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honors=4 [[battle star]]s (Korea)
|Ship fate=Transferred to [[Turkey]] 1 October 1982
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=[[File:USS Orleck (DD-886) Insiginia.png|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country= Turkey
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Turkey|naval}}
|Ship name= ''Yücetepe''
|Ship namesake=[[Yücetepe, Muş|Yücetepe]]
|Ship acquired=1 October 1982
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honors=
|Ship identification=[[Hull number]]: D 345
|Ship fate=Returned to the USA 12 August 2000
|Ship status=[[Museum ship]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class= {{sclass|Gearing|destroyer}}
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|2616|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} standard
*{{convert|3460|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full
|Ship length= {{convert|390|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|40|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft= {{convert|14|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship propulsion=*General Electric geared turbines
*4 [[boiler]]s
*2 shafts
*{{convert|60000|shp|MW|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|36.8|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range= {{convert|4500|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|20|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=336
|Ship armament=*(as built)
*6 × [[5"/38 caliber gun]]s
*12 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm AA guns]]
*11 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm AA guns]]
*10 × [[American 21 inch torpedo|21 inch (533 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s
*6 × [[K-gun]] [[depth charge]] projectors
*2 × depth charge tracks
*(as preserved, 1962 FRAM I configuration)
*4 × [[5"/38 caliber gun|5 in/38 cal guns]] (127 mm) (in 2 × 2 Mk 38 [[Dual purpose gun|DP]] mounts)
*1 × [[ASROC]] 8-cell launcher
*2 × triple [[Mark 32 torpedo tubes]] for [[Mark 46 torpedo]]es
|Ship armor=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''USS ''Orleck'' (DD-886)''', is a {{sclass|Gearing|destroyer}} that was in service with the [[United States Navy]] from 1945 to 1982. In October 1982 she was sold to [[Turkey]] and renamed '''''Yücetepe'' (D 345)'''. After her final decommissioning the Turkish government transferred ''Yücetepe'' to the Southeast Texas War Memorial and Heritage Foundation at [[Orange, Texas]], where she was berthed as a [[museum ship]]. The Orleck Foundation then decided to move the ship to the [[Calcasieu River]] in [[Lake Charles, Louisiana]]. On 26 March 2022, she arrived in [[Jacksonville, FL]], where she served as a Naval Museum on the downtown riverfront until 3 April 2023, when she docked at her permanent home at the Shipyards West.

==Namesake==
Joseph Orleck was born on 22 January 1906 in [[Columbus, Ohio]]. He enlisted in the Navy on 23 June 1924. Rising through the enlisted ranks, he was warranted Boatswain on 14 December 1938, and appointed [[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]] on 15 June 1942. He assumed command of {{USS|Nauset|AT–89|6}} on 28 May 1943 with the rank of [[Lieutenant]]. He went down with his ship after a [[Luftwaffe]] bomber attack in the [[Gulf of Salerno]] on 9 September 1943. A recipient of the [[Navy and Marine Corps Medal]] for rescue work during the [[Casablanca]] invasion, he was posthumously awarded the [[Navy Cross]] for his firefighting and flood control efforts to prevent total loss of his ship during the Salerno assault.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web |author1=[[U.S. Navy]] |title=Orleck (DD-886) |website=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/orleck.html |access-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202185428/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/orleck.html |archive-date=2 Feb 2025 |date=17 Aug 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Construction and commissioning==
''Orleck'' was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] by the [[Consolidated Steel Corporation]] at [[Orange, Texas|Orange]], [[Texas]], on 28 November 1944, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 12 May 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Joseph Orleck, widow of Lieutenant Orleck, and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 15 September 1945.<ref name="DANFS"/> Her original cost was [[United States dollar|US$]]6,313,000.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Service history==

===United States Navy (1945–1982)===
On 14 November 1947, ''Orleck'' collided with the [[submarine]] {{USS|Bugara|SS-331}} while ''Bugara'' was making a submerged practice attack against her in the [[Pacific Ocean]] off [[Southern California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/bugara0.html |title=Bugara (SS-331) 1943-1971 |publisher=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships | date=25 August 2017 |access-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419112425/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/bugara0.html |archive-date=19 April 2025 |url-status=dead |author=[[U.S. Navy]]}}</ref>
[[File:USS Orleck (DD-886) underway in heavy seas, in the 1950s.jpg|thumb|left|''Orleck'' in heavy seas, 1950s.]]

''Orleck'' operated with the [[United States Seventh Fleet]] in support of [[United Nations]] forces during the [[Korean War]], then it underwent an extensive [[Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization|FRAM I]] overhaul in 1962. On 7 June 1965, ''Orleck'' assisted in the recovery of the [[Gemini IV]] space capsule.<ref name="DANFS"/>

During the [[Vietnam War]], ''Orleck'' served as [[plane guard]] for [[aircraft carrier]]s on "[[Yankee Station]]" in the [[Gulf of Tonkin]], participated in "[[Operation Sea Dragon (Vietnam War)|Operation Sea Dragon]]", patrolled on [[search and rescue]] duties, and carried out [[naval gunfire support]] missions.<ref name="DANFS"/>

''Orleck'' was decommissioned on 1 October 1982 and stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 6 August 1987.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

===Turkish Navy (1982–2000)===
''Orleck'' was transferred to [[Turkey]] for service in the [[Turkish Navy]]. She was renamed '''TCG Yücetepe (D 345)''' in Turkish service.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

===Museum ship (since 2000)===
On 12 August 2000, the Turkish government transferred ''Yücetepe'' to the Southeast Texas War Memorial and Heritage Foundation at [[Orange, Texas]], for use as a memorial and museum under her old name, USS ''Orleck''.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

When [[Hurricane Rita]] struck the Texas coast in September 2005, ''Orleck'' was severely damaged. After repairs, ''Orleck'' was ready to return to her [[pier]] at Ochiltree-Inman Park; however, the City of Orange refused to allow her to return. ''Orleck'' was temporarily relocated to Levingston Island, then moored north of Orange Harbor Island.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

On 6 May 2009, the [[Lake Charles, Louisiana]], City Council voted in favor of an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with USS ''Orleck''. On 20 May 2010 it moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana. The grand opening in Lake Charles occurred on 10 April 2011. In 2019, the ship was either going to be moved, sunk, or scrapped; however, the museum remained operational.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

In 2019, following the failure of the USS ''Adams'' Association and the Jacksonville Naval Museum to acquire the {{USS|Charles F. Adams|DDG-2}} as a museum ship in [[Jacksonville]], [[Florida]], it was proposed to acquire ''Orleck'' and move her to the proposed berth that was obtained for the ''Charles F. Adams.'' The USS ''Adams'' Association studied ''Orleck'' and deemed that she would survive the tow from Lake Charles to Jacksonville.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
[[File:USS Orleck (DD-886) aground at Orange, Texas (USA), on 5 October 2005.jpg|thumb|Museum ship USS ''Orleck'' aground after [[Hurricane Rita]] in 2005.]]

On 30 August 2019, the Jacksonville Naval Museum announced that the transfer of ''Orleck'' to Jacksonville has been approved and are waiting on finalizing plans with the Jacksonville city council.<ref>{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/832027273830427/938084926557994 |archive-date = 2022-04-30| url = https://www.facebook.com/jaxnavalmuseum/photos/a.909881426045011/938084926557994/?type=3&theater |title = Jacksonville Naval Museum on Facebook |website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>

In February 2020, the move to Jacksonville was confirmed. She would remain open in Lake Charles until 1 March 2020, before closing in preparation for an inspection by the US Coast Guard for towing to dry dock in Texas for repairs before making the tow to Jacksonville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanpress.com/news/local/historic-ship-to-be-part-of-naval-museum/article_0e8abbf6-731f-53f7-b064-b6b8efeb07c0.html|title=Historic ship to be part of naval museum|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219162514/https://www.americanpress.com/news/local/historic-ship-to-be-part-of-naval-museum/article_0e8abbf6-731f-53f7-b064-b6b8efeb07c0.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The tow to Jacksonville was delayed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. She broke loose from her mooring in the [[Calcasieu River]] during [[Hurricane Laura]], drifting a mile down stream before drifting aground with some damage.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Ashley|date=2 October 2020|title=USS Orleck battered but not broken by Hurricane Laura, director explains future plans for the ship|publisher=[[KALB-TV]]|url=https://www.kalb.com/2020/10/02/uss-orleck-battered-but-not-broken-by-hurricane-laura-director-explains-future-plans-for-the-ship/|url-status=live|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613083632/https://www.kalb.com/2020/10/02/uss-orleck-battered-but-not-broken-by-hurricane-laura-director-explains-future-plans-for-the-ship/|archive-date=13 June 2021}}</ref>

In August 2021, the Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved the ship to be moored in downtown Jacksonville.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mendenhall|first=Mike|date=10 August 2021|title=City Council approves agreement for USS Orleck museum|work=Jacksonville Daily Record|url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/city-council-approves-agreement-for-uss-orleck-museum|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812024221/https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/city-council-approves-agreement-for-uss-orleck-museum|archive-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>

In December 2021, she was towed from Lake Charles, Louisiana to [[Port Arthur, Texas]] to be drydocked.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kplctv.com/2021/12/21/uss-orleck-enters-dry-dock-port-arthur/|title = USS Orleck enters dry dock at Port Arthur| date=21 December 2021 }}</ref> Over the next few weeks she was deemed to be in much better shape than expected and restoration work was done which extended the ship's life by 15 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/03/04/uss-orleck-closer-making-trip-new-home-jacksonville/6982414001/|title=Hope floats: USS Orleck passes test, nearly ready for trip to Jacksonville to become museum ship|first=Tom|last=Szaroleta|website=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref>

On 11 January 2022, ownership was officially transferred to the museum association in preparation for its tow and set-up in Jacksonville.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

With restoration work completed, she passed all inspections by the US Coast Guard, on 17 March 2022, she left Port Arthur, Texas under tow to Jacksonville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/03/18/uss-orleck-departs-texas-begins-voyage-to-jacksonville/|title = USS Orleck departs Texas, begins voyage to Jacksonville|date = 18 March 2022}}</ref>

She arrived in Jacksonville on 26 March 2022<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/picture-gallery/news/2022/03/26/uss-orleck-arrives-jacksonville-become-floating-museum/7179386001/ | title=Photos: Scenes from the arrival of the Navy Destroyer USS Orleck in Jacksonville }}</ref> and officially opened on 5 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Farrar |first1=Aaron |title=USS Orleck opens in Jacksonville |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q23vW_OQXZA |website=News4JAX |date=5 October 2022 |publisher=WJXT Television 4 |access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{DANFS|https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/orleck.html}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|USS Orleck (DD-886)}}
* [http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/council/ City Council]
* [http://www.ussorleck.org/ USS ORLECK NAVAL MUSEUM]
* [http://www.hnsa.org/hnsa-ships/uss-orleck-dd-886/ Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA): USS ''Orleck''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119112724/https://www.hnsa.org/hnsa-ships/uss-orleck-dd-886/ |date=19 January 2021 }}
* [https://aimmatnlr.blogspot.com/2008/03/article-about-aimm-and-uss-orleck-in.html Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum at North Little Rock]

{{Gearing class destroyer}}
{{1947 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orleck (DD-886)}}
[[Category:Gearing-class destroyers of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Orange, Texas]]
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1947]]
[[Category:Cold War destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Korean War destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Vietnam War destroyers of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Turkish Navy]]
[[Category:Gearing-class destroyers of the Turkish Navy]]
[[Category:Museum ships in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Museums in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Lake Charles, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Museum ships in Florida]]

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USS Orleck