USS Orleck DD886 Gearing Class Naval Destroyer
Historical Summary

The USS ORLECK is a monument to the men and women who built her and to those who served aboard her. Commissioned on Sept. 15, 1945, she is the only Gearing Class destroyer to return to its birthplace for use as a museum. Consolidated Steel Corp. built the ORLECK for the U.S. Navy at its shipyard in Orange, Texas. Some of the old Consolidated Steel Corp. buildings can still be seen across
the river from the ship, which is now docked in the Sabine River in downtown Orange. Orange has a long history of shipbuilding, dating back to the early 1800s. During World War II, local shipyards built more than 400 vessels for the war effort.

The 390-foot ORLECK served in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. She won four battle stars for service during the Korean Conflict, was a member of the famous Train Busters Club of Korea and was "Top Gun" of the Seventh Fleet in Vietnam. She was known as the Gray Ghost on the Vietnam Coast. The ORLECK was transferred to the Turkish government in 1982 and renamed the TCG YUCETEPE. She stayed in service for Turkey until 1998. The Turkish Navy donated the USS ORLECK to the Southeast Texas War Memorial and Heritage Foundation for use as a museum in 1999. The Ukranian tug, AKHTIAR, began its 7,000-mile tow of the ORLECK from Izmir, Turkey, on June 16, 2000. The ORLECK reached Orange, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2000. The destroyer is now in the process of restoration. At this time, visitors can tour the majority of the ship. For admission and tour information, click the link below.

Click to view Tour Schedule and Directions