The History of Destroyers Built in Orange, Texas During W. W. II Page: 3
[3], 70 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Texas Group continued to be a major berthing facility for ships with low mobilization
priority and long term potential. There were approximately 250 ships of various types berthed in
Orange in 1969.
On October 1, 1966, the Texas Group was dis-established, and the Naval Inactive Ship
Maintenance Facility was commissioned with 197 ships and crafts in its custody. The Commanding
officer position was downgraded to officer-in-charge.
There were 172 ships at the facility in 1967 but by November 1970, this number was reduced
to 166 and on Dec. 28, 1975, the naval inactive ships storage facility was closed. During the next five
years, the remaining vessels were transferred elsewhere and by 1980 all of the ships were gone. Some
of the facilities were acquired by US Steel, some went to Lamar University and piers and some went
to the Orange County Navigation and Port District. The remaining 18 '/2 acres now contains the site
of the Navy and Marine Corp. Reserve Training Center.
from the Orange City Directory, 1951
Orange is the location of the United States Naval Station, headquarters for the 16h United
States Fleet, inactive. This permanent berthing station for the 16" fleet was established at the end of
the recent war. Construction is still in progress there. It is estimated that United States Naval ships
valued at $400,000,000 are being maintained in a state of readiness in this station. Total number of
ships now in these docks is 150. E.E. Garcia is commanding officer of the base.
During World War II the Orange city docks were taken over and operated by the United
States Navy as an outfitting base for ships built at Orange.
By 1963 the naval station was known as Texas Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. That year's
city directory listed the station as the permanent headquarters for the United States Naval Station
and Texas Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. It referred to it as a "berthing station where ships are
maintained in a standby state of readiness. " It was more commonly called a "mothball fleet" and was
said to be the largest such facility in the world.
Ben T. Brown was the commander of the base in 1966.3
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Orange County Historical Society (Tex.). The History of Destroyers Built in Orange, Texas During W. W. II, book, October 2002; Orange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth312850/m1/8/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Orange County Historical Society.