Written by Kris Land
It is doubtful that the Wheeler Shipbuilding company in Long Island, New York had any idea that the vessel they constructed in 1945 for the Army would enjoy such a long, vibrant life. Even though the FS 289 was originally assigned as an Army vessel, she went on to become the Navy's T-AKL-17 on July 1st, 1950. 
Now named the Sea Bird, this ship would achieve many things in its lifetime, including a role in the hit 1955 film Mr. Roberts. Even today, classic cinema fans associate the USNS New Bedford T-AKL-17 with the stunning performance given by stars Henry Fonda, James Cagney, Jack Lemmon and William Powell. For Powell, the ship would also be associated with the last performance in his acting career before permanent retirement from the silver screen. Just like the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17), the original creator of the Mr. Roberts story author Thomas Heggen had a military history that made headlines thanks to the film.
Many vessels never reach this level of stardom, but the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17) did that and more. The ship was also noted for the bravery of Captain Sixto Mangual and his crew during the tragic Texas Towers incident. At the time of the USNS New Bedford's arrival, Texas Tower 4 had been weakened and was waiting official evacuation two weeks later. Realizing that dangerous storms and turbulence was coming fast, Captain Mangual refused to leave Texas Tower 4 in case he could help save the 28 civilians and military personnel trapped inside.
The USNS New Bedford remained within two miles of Tower 4 despite the ship's safety being compromised as the storm worsened. The churning sea became too rough for the vessel to get close enough to retrieve those inside the 
tower. The Captain and crew were finally forced to evacuate the area or risk their lives. Sadly, the tower did not survive nature's onslaught and those inside were lost. The USNS New Bedford made a valiant effort to save the inhabitants of Tower 4, even to the point of risking their own safety.
In 1971 the USNS New Bedford was awarded its previous designation, IX 308. At a bittersweet out of service ceremony, the flag was permanently lowered on the military ship on October 28th, 1994. Less than one year later, on April 4th, 1995, the former USNS New Bedford was sold for commercial fishing use as the Sea Bird.
In 2006, we began working towards acquiring the Sea Bird. Your sponsorship and donations will help us see our goal through in saving the Sea Bird from being destroyed along with her rich history! Through the help of knowledgeable individuals and organizations, we are working hard to perfect the green technology that will be put into practice aboard the ship. We hope to add yet another exciting page to the Sea Bird's history!
| ||||||
Related Articles:
San Diego Dry Dock (part 2)Chris Conant
Gas vs. Diesel vs. Tesla TurbineSarah Paulin
Global Climate Change vs. Global WarmingSarah Paulin
Powering the Sea Bird: The G50 Baldor Reliance AC VC MotorKris Land
|
 |
|
|---|
Breaking News
If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
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.
