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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:American Explorer.png|290px]]
| Ship image = American Explorer.png
| Ship image size = 290px
|Ship caption=''American Explorer''
| Ship caption = ''American Explorer''
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Ship country=United States
| Ship country = United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag}}
| Ship flag = {{USN flag}}
|Ship ordered=
| Ship ordered =
|Ship builder= [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]], Pascagoula, MS
| Ship builder = [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]], Pascagoula, MS
|Ship original cost=
| Ship original cost =
|Ship laid down=July 9, 1957
| Ship laid down = 9 July 1957
|Ship launched=April 11, 1958
| Ship launched = 11 April 1958
|Ship christened=
| Ship christened =
|Ship completed=October 27, 1959
| Ship completed = 27 October 1959
|Ship commissioned=
| Ship commissioned =
|Ship decommissioned=
| Ship decommissioned =
|Ship in service=
| Ship in service =
|Ship reclassified=
| Ship reclassified =
|Ship out of service=
| Ship out of service =
|Ship struck=
| Ship struck =
|Ship reinstated=
| Ship reinstated =
|Ship honours=
| Ship honours =
|Ship homeport= Beaumont, Texas
| Ship homeport = Beaumont, Texas
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|7737171}}
|Ship fate= To be scrapped
|Ship status = Scrapped
| Ship fate = Scrapped
|Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
|Ship nickname= Hull#469
| Ship nickname = Hull# 469
}}{{Infobox ship class overview
| Class after = [[Sealift Pacific-Class tanker|''Sealift Pacific'' class]]
| Class before = [[Maumee-class oiler|''Maumee'' class]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship type=[[Type T5 tanker|Type T5-S-RM2a]] [[Tanker (ship)|Tanker]]
| Ship type = [[Type T5 tanker|Type T5-S-RM2a]] [[Tanker (ship)|Tanker]]
|Ship tonnage= 14,980 [[gross ton]]s
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|14,980}}
|Ship length={{convert|595|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|595|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam ={{convert|80|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|80|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught=
| Ship draught =
|Ship draft ={{convert|36.1|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|36.1|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=
| Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed={{convert|20|knots|km/h}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|20|knots|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
| Ship range =
|Ship complement=47
| Ship complement = 47
|Ship sensors=
| Ship sensors =
|Ship EW=
| Ship EW =
|Ship armament=none
| Ship armament =
|Ship notes=
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''USNS ''American Explorer'' (T-AOT-165)''' was a tanker built for the United States [[Military Sea Transport Service]]. The tanker was built by [[Ingalls Shipbuilding|Ingalls SB]] of Mississippi in 1958, and at the time her keel was laid was intended to be the world's first nuclear-powered tanker, but was completed with a conventional steam power plant. The ship was transferred to the US [[Maritime Administration]] in 1984 and was part of the US Reserve Fleet, Beaumont Reserve Fleet, Texas. The ''Explorer'' was sold for scrap on July 8, 2008 to the Southern Scrap Metal Corporation in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]].<ref>[https://pmars.marad.dot.gov/detail.asp?Ship=203 Basic ship data - American Explorer] Property Management & Archive Record System, Division of Reserve Fleet {{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref>
'''USNS ''American Explorer'' (T-AOT-165)''' was a tanker built for the United States [[Military Sea Transport Service]]. The tanker was built by [[Ingalls Shipbuilding|Ingalls SB]] of [[Mississippi]] in 1958, and at the time her [[keel]] was [[Keel laying|laid]], the vessel was intended to be the world's first [[Nuclear propulsion|nuclear-powered]] tanker, but was completed with a conventional steam power plant. The ship was transferred to the US [[Maritime Administration]] in 1984 and was part of the [[Reserve fleet|US Reserve Fleet]], Beaumont Reserve Fleet, Texas. ''American Explorer'' was sold for [[Ship breaking|scrap]] on 8 July 2008 to the Southern Scrap Metal Corporation in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana.<ref>[https://pmars.marad.dot.gov/detail.asp?Ship=203 Basic ship data American Explorer] Property Management & Archive Record System, Division of Reserve Fleet {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043815/https://pmars.marad.dot.gov/detail.asp?Ship=203 |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref>
On August 13, two weeks before [[Hurricane Gustav]] struck the Southeastern Louisiana coastline, the tanker was moved to New Orleans' [[Industrial Canal]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Shannon Russell |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |title=Two Ships from Beaumont Fleet Sell for $1.6 Million |date=2008-07-16 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |format=PDF |url=http://marad.dot.gov/Headlines/2008/News%20Releases/marad%2016-08%202%20to%20southern%20scrap.pdf |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20080912203711/http://marad.dot.gov/Headlines/2008/News%20Releases/marad%2016-08%202%20to%20southern%20scrap.pdf |archivedate=September 12, 2008 }}</ref>
On 13 August, two weeks before [[Hurricane Gustav]] struck the Southeastern Louisiana coastline, the tanker was moved to New Orleans' [[Industrial Canal]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Shannon Russell |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |title=Two Ships from Beaumont Fleet Sell for $1.6 Million |date=16 July 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 |format=PDF |url=http://marad.dot.gov/Headlines/2008/News%20Releases/marad%2016-08%202%20to%20southern%20scrap.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912203711/http://marad.dot.gov/Headlines/2008/News%20Releases/marad%2016-08%202%20to%20southern%20scrap.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2008 }}</ref>
[[File:FloridaAvenueBridge2Up.jpg|left|thumb|The Florida Avenue Bridge was struck and damaged by one of two military ships during hurricane Gustav]]
[[File:FloridaAvenueBridge2Up.jpg|left|thumb|The Florida Avenue Bridge was struck and damaged by one of two military ships during Hurricane Gustav]]


==Adrift during Hurricane Gustav==
== Adrift during Hurricane Gustav ==
During the night of August 31/September 1, 2008, as [[Hurricane Gustav]] approached the coast of Louisiana, two clusters ([[Export Courier]]) of ships were dislodged from their moorings and broke free. ''American Explorer'' was shown in video coverage to be one of two military vessels (along with the former US Navy submarine tender {{USS|Hunley|AS-31|2}}) that ran into the [[Florida Avenue Bridge]].
During the night of 31 August/1 September 2008, as [[Hurricane Gustav]] approached the coast of Louisiana, two clusters ({{ship||Export Courier}}) of ships were dislodged from their moorings and broke free. ''American Explorer'' was shown in video coverage to be one of two military vessels (along with the former US Navy submarine tender {{USS|Hunley|AS-31|2}}) that ran into the [[Florida Avenue Bridge]].
<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/hold_please.html Coast Guard trying to secure a barge and two vessels in the Industrial Canal] by Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune Monday September 01, 2008, 10:10&nbsp;AM - nola.com</ref> After hitting the bridge, the ships then ran into two concrete pile-barriers that protect pump station #19, which serves the 9th ward of New Orleans.<ref>[http://blogs.tampabay.com/weather/2008/09/derelict-vessel.html Derelict vessels pinned down in Industrial Canal] -- Willie J. Allen Jr., Times staff writer - Posted by Times Editor at 5:29:56&nbsp;PM on September 1, 2008 - Storm Watch - Tampabay.com</ref> A United States Coast Guard (USCG) tug<!-- name? --> eventually pinned the ships into position so that they would not move. Joel Dupree of Southern Scrap Metal Corporation claims the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] were testing docks on the Industrial canal which prevented moving the ships prior to Gustav entering the Mississippi River, and that the ''American Explorer'' was properly anchored during the storm.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/mooring_plan_under_fire_follow.html Mooring plan under fire following Industrial Canal wreckage episode] Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking - Nola.com</ref> However, the level of the [[storm surge|surge]] and winds were sufficient to break their moorings.<ref name = "Joel Dupree speaks">[http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000055?v=3432690&l=3443196 Joel Dupre from Southern Scrap updates on the barges and ship that ran aground in the Industrial] New Orleans - Update on barges in Industrial Canal - Yahoo-local news {{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref> The USCG, however, said that it had recommended that ships double-up mooring lines prior to the storm.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/two_groups_of_ships_broke_loos.html Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking] Nola.Com</ref> Shortly after the peak of the storm, reporters for a local radio station<!-- what station?--> went to the Florida Avenue bridge and reported the damage as being minor.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/hold_please.html Coast Guard trying to secure a barge and two vessels in the Industrial Canal] by Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune Monday 1 September 2008, 10:10&nbsp;am nola.com</ref> After hitting the bridge, the ships then ran into two concrete pile-barriers that protect pump station No. 19, which serves the 9th ward of New Orleans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080905111642/http://blogs.tampabay.com/weather/2008/09/derelict-vessel.html Derelict vessels pinned down in Industrial Canal] Willie J. Allen Jr., Times staff writer Posted by Times Editor at 5:29:56&nbsp;pm on 1 September 2008 Storm Watch Tampabay.com</ref> A United States Coast Guard (USCG) tug<!-- name? --> eventually pinned the ships into position so that they would not move. Joel Dupree of Southern Scrap Metal Corporation claims the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] were testing docks on the Industrial canal which prevented moving the ships prior to Gustav entering the Mississippi River, and that the ''American Explorer'' was properly anchored during the storm.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/mooring_plan_under_fire_follow.html Mooring plan under fire following Industrial Canal wreckage episode] Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking Nola.com</ref> However, the level of the [[storm surge|surge]] and winds were sufficient to break their moorings.<ref name="Joel Dupree speaks">[http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000055?v=3432690&l=3443196 Joel Dupre from Southern Scrap updates on the barges and ship that ran aground in the Industrial] New Orleans Update on barges in Industrial Canal Yahoo-local news {{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref> The USCG, however, said that it had recommended that ships double-up mooring lines prior to the storm.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/two_groups_of_ships_broke_loos.html Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking] Nola.Com</ref> Shortly after the peak of the storm, reporters for a local radio station<!-- what station?--> went to the Florida Avenue bridge and reported the damage as being minor.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


Another naval ship, the former US Navy cargo ship {{USNS|Courier|T-AK-5019|2}}, and two barges were involved in separate [[Gustav Incidents|incidents]] at the [[Almonaster Avenue Bridge|Almonaster rail bridge]] and a nearby pump station. As a consequence of these events, ''all vessels to be removed from the Industrial Canal in advance of gale-force wind conditions'', and Southern Scrap Metal Corporation was told to remove all floating vessels for the duration of the
Another naval ship, the former US Navy cargo ship {{USNS|Courier|T-AK-5019|2}}, and two barges were involved in separate [[Gustav Incidents|incidents]] at the [[Almonaster Avenue Bridge|Almonaster rail bridge]] and a nearby pump station. As a consequence of these events, ''all vessels to be removed from the Industrial Canal in advance of gale-force wind conditions'', and Southern Scrap Metal Corporation was told to remove all floating vessels for the duration of the [[2008 Atlantic hurricane season|2008 season]].<ref>[http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/industrial_canal_would_have_be.html Ships and barges ordered from Industrial Canal for rest of 2008 Atlantic hurricane season] ''Industrial Canal would have been safe if Ike had approached, Coast Guard commander says'' by Sheila Grissett, The Times-Picayune
Thursday 18 September 2008, 5:57&nbsp;pm Nola.com</ref> A US Coast Guard Investigation has been launched into the corporation's activities prior to Gustav.<ref>[http://www.realclearmarkets.com/news/ap/finance_business/2008/Sep/16/loose_storm_barges_in_new_orleans_from_one_company.html Loose storm barges in New Orleans from one company] The Associated Press 16 September 2008</ref>
[[2008 Atlantic hurricane season|2008 season]].<ref>[http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/industrial_canal_would_have_be.html Ships and barges ordered from Industrial Canal for rest of [[2008 Atlantic hurricane season]]] ''Industrial Canal would have been safe if Ike had approached, Coast Guard commander says'' by Sheila Grissett, The Times-Picayune
Thursday September 18, 2008, 5:57&nbsp;PM Nola.com</ref> A US Coast Guard Investigation has been launched into the corporation's activities prior to Gustav.<ref>[http://www.realclearmarkets.com/news/ap/finance_business/2008/Sep/16/loose_storm_barges_in_new_orleans_from_one_company.html Loose storm barges in New Orleans from one company] The Associated Press - Sept 16th 2008</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:American Explorer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Explorer}}
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[[Category:1958 ships]]
[[Category:1958 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:National Defense Reserve Fleet]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2008]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2008]]
[[Category:Unique oilers and tankers of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Unique oilers and tankers of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Beaumont Reserve Fleet]]

Latest revision as of 18:51, 11 July 2024

American Explorer
History
United States
BuilderIngalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS
Laid down9 July 1957
Launched11 April 1958
Completed27 October 1959
HomeportBeaumont, Texas
IdentificationIMO number7737171
Nickname(s)Hull# 469
FateScrapped
Class overview
Preceded byMaumee class
Succeeded bySealift Pacific class
General characteristics
TypeType T5-S-RM2a Tanker
Tonnage14,980 GT
Length595 ft (181 m)
Beam80 ft (24 m)
Draft36.1 ft (11.0 m)
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement47

USNS American Explorer (T-AOT-165) was a tanker built for the United States Military Sea Transport Service. The tanker was built by Ingalls SB of Mississippi in 1958, and at the time her keel was laid, the vessel was intended to be the world's first nuclear-powered tanker, but was completed with a conventional steam power plant. The ship was transferred to the US Maritime Administration in 1984 and was part of the US Reserve Fleet, Beaumont Reserve Fleet, Texas. American Explorer was sold for scrap on 8 July 2008 to the Southern Scrap Metal Corporation in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] On 13 August, two weeks before Hurricane Gustav struck the Southeastern Louisiana coastline, the tanker was moved to New Orleans' Industrial Canal.[2]

The Florida Avenue Bridge was struck and damaged by one of two military ships during Hurricane Gustav

Adrift during Hurricane Gustav

[edit]

During the night of 31 August/1 September 2008, as Hurricane Gustav approached the coast of Louisiana, two clusters (Export Courier) of ships were dislodged from their moorings and broke free. American Explorer was shown in video coverage to be one of two military vessels (along with the former US Navy submarine tender Hunley) that ran into the Florida Avenue Bridge. [3] After hitting the bridge, the ships then ran into two concrete pile-barriers that protect pump station No. 19, which serves the 9th ward of New Orleans.[4] A United States Coast Guard (USCG) tug eventually pinned the ships into position so that they would not move. Joel Dupree of Southern Scrap Metal Corporation claims the Corps of Engineers were testing docks on the Industrial canal which prevented moving the ships prior to Gustav entering the Mississippi River, and that the American Explorer was properly anchored during the storm.[5] However, the level of the surge and winds were sufficient to break their moorings.[6] The USCG, however, said that it had recommended that ships double-up mooring lines prior to the storm.[7] Shortly after the peak of the storm, reporters for a local radio station went to the Florida Avenue bridge and reported the damage as being minor.[citation needed]

Another naval ship, the former US Navy cargo ship Courier, and two barges were involved in separate incidents at the Almonaster rail bridge and a nearby pump station. As a consequence of these events, all vessels to be removed from the Industrial Canal in advance of gale-force wind conditions, and Southern Scrap Metal Corporation was told to remove all floating vessels for the duration of the 2008 season.[8] A US Coast Guard Investigation has been launched into the corporation's activities prior to Gustav.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Basic ship data – American Explorer Property Management & Archive Record System, Division of Reserve Fleet Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Shannon Russell (16 July 2008). "Two Ships from Beaumont Fleet Sell for $1.6 Million" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  3. ^ Coast Guard trying to secure a barge and two vessels in the Industrial Canal by Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune Monday 1 September 2008, 10:10 am – nola.com
  4. ^ Derelict vessels pinned down in Industrial Canal – Willie J. Allen Jr., Times staff writer – Posted by Times Editor at 5:29:56 pm on 1 September 2008 – Storm Watch – Tampabay.com
  5. ^ Mooring plan under fire following Industrial Canal wreckage episode Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking – Nola.com
  6. ^ Joel Dupre from Southern Scrap updates on the barges and ship that ran aground in the Industrial New Orleans – Update on barges in Industrial Canal – Yahoo-local news [dead link]
  7. ^ Hurricane Gustav News and Storm Tracking Nola.Com
  8. ^ Ships and barges ordered from Industrial Canal for rest of 2008 Atlantic hurricane season Industrial Canal would have been safe if Ike had approached, Coast Guard commander says by Sheila Grissett, The Times-Picayune Thursday 18 September 2008, 5:57 pm Nola.com
  9. ^ Loose storm barges in New Orleans from one company The Associated Press – 16 September 2008