Written by Kris Land
Life in the military is not easy and comes with its risks. However sometimes things happen that are tragic and could have been avoided. Those who stood by and did what they could to help are not always given the recognition they deserve. The USNS New Bedford, now the Sea Bird, was involved in such an incident that is today referred to as the Texas Towers.
During the late 1950s, five observation towers were planned to be constructed at sea along the east coast of the United States. These were intended for radar surveillance during the Cold War. Although five towers were originally scheduled for construction, only three were actually completed: Texas Tower 2, 3 and 4.
In September of 1960, a strong hurricane struck Texas Tower 4 and weakened it. In the following months, repair efforts were planned. Despite damage, the tower remained inhabited by military and civilian contractors. On the morning of January 13th, 1961, the T-AKL-17, known as the USNS New Bedford, was to sail to the towers to resupply. Overseen by Captain Sixto Mangual, the ship was ordered to carry rations and spare parts to each tower before returning to the mainland. Those orders were later changed to a voyage to Tower 4 only.
Tower 4’s stability issues were becoming a concern, and the structure was scheduled for evacuation in February. This process would involve removing equipment, including large electronic counter measure consoles and other computers from inside. The day after the USNS New Bedford departed for Texas Tower 4 a severe weather warning was issued for the area.
Captain Phelan positioned at Tower 4 was told to request that the USNS New Bedford stay in the area for a few days to remove as much equipment as possible. Unfortunately at the time, the weather update received by commanding officers was not the same as the one received by Captains Phelan and Mangual. No order was given to remove personnel from the tower because they did not feel the tower was in danger.
After dropping off a single passenger and offloading supplies and parts, Captain Mangual moved away from the tower, which was swaying. Before departing, Captain Phelan requested that the USNS New Bedford stay in the area to await possible evacuation orders should the weather worsen. After a discussion and comparing weather reports, Captain Mangual suggested that Phelan gather all personnel and evacuate right away before turbulent waters made it impossible for the ship to safely navigate around the tower’s base.
The suggestion was declined twice, possibly because orders to evacuate had not been officially given. No one knows for sure because Captain Phelan’s conversation with those on the mainland went unheard. The USNS New Bedford remained within two miles of the tower as the weather grew worse and the sea churned. Winter storms coming in made it nearly impossible for the ship to remain, still Captain Mangual tried to stay by the tower, even when ordered to return. Thirty foot waves began to shake Texas Tower 4 along with powerful winds. Conditions grew increasingly more dangerous, and were becoming a serious problem for the T-AKL-17. Eventually, the ship had to turn back or risk its own destruction.
Unfortunately, Texas Tower 4 did not survive. On January 15th, 1961, it was destroyed by wind and waves and mostly swallowed up by the sea. Twenty eight individuals, both military and civilian, lost their lives. Despite the tragic outcome, Captain Mangual and the USNS New Bedford did all they could to provide assistance and try to save those marooned inside Texas Tower 4.
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1944: Camano Class Light Cargo Ship was laid down for the US Army as FS-289 at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Whitestone, NY.
1945: Delivered to US Army.
1950: Acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950 and placed in service as USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1954: The movie, Mister Roberts, was made on the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1955 - 1963: Used as a cargo supply ship for the Texas Towers, a network of advanced radar stations located off the Eastern Seaboard. In 1957, Capt. Sixto Mangual was commander of the AKL-17 and in 1961 it was rechristened the USNS New Bedford. The New Bedford, sailing out of State Pier, was keeping vigil when Texas Tower No. 4 callapsed off the New Jersey coast during a January 1961 nor'easter.
1963: Reclassified as Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-308).
1971: The New Bedford (IX-308) served as a Torpedo Test Firing Vessel in the Puget Sound area.
1994: Ceremony in New Bedford.
1995: The ship was struck from the Naval Register on April 4.
2004: The Sea Bird's current disposition is a tuna long liner (fishing boat) out of San Diego, CA.
2006: Design of the Tesla Turbine began on June 11, 2006. The Sea Bird was sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for commercial service.
2007: The Sea Bird was drydocked for renovations.
2008: The Sea Bird setting sail to Sea-Tac in Seattle, WA.
2009 - 2010: The Sea Bird is currently docked at Seattle Sea-Tac.
