Freeport Liberty Ship Reef: World War II

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE

LOCATION BY GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

Using the NAD83 datum set, the center point of the Freeport Liberty Ship Reef is located at 28° 35' 46.485" N and 94° 48' 41.605" W (Galveston Block A-22). This he bravery of America’s Merchant Marines point can be reached by sailing 36 nautical miles on a The Freeport Liberty Ship Reef is bearing of 122° from the Freeport jetties. helped the Allies win World War II. Now, actually composed of two Liberty Ships, Freeport fourteen World War II ships that carried the William F. Allen and the B.F. Shaw, and Shaw (map reference: 2) Tsupplies and oil into the most dangerous one T-2 tanker, the V.A. Fogg (previously Reef material: Liberty Ship fronts of the war serve as artificial reefs named Four Lakes). Ten other Liberty Ships Located: 28° 35' 52.612" N and 94° 48' 41.782" W Liberty Ship off the coast of Texas. Located in six readily- and one T-2 tanker are located at other reef Allen (map reference: 10) accessible sites, they offer divers and recre- sites along the Texas coast. Brochures for Reef material: Liberty Ship Located: 28° 35' 38.954" N and 94° 48' 44.295" W ational anglers an encounter not only with these reef sites are available from Texas magnificent reefs, but also with America’s Parks and Wildlife. V.A. Fogg (map reference: 9,11,12) Reef Reef material: T-2 Tanker maritime heritage. Located: 28° 35' 36.600" N and 94° 48' 44.937" W The William F. Allen received the Philippine HL&P Reef (map reference: 13) Liberation Ribbon for her crew’s services Reef material: 300 one ton fly ash blocks in the winter of 1944-5, including their Located: 28° 35' 36.065" N and 94° 48' 45.833" W support of the invasion of Leyte Island. Conoco/Galveston Co. Reef (map reference: 14) For efforts in repelling a Luftwaffe attack Reef material: Welded pipe structure while in convoy across the Mediterranean, Located: 28° 35' 35.593" N and 94° 48' 43.358" W the B.F. Shaw was awarded the Operation Star Reef (map reference: 3-8) and Engagement Star. The V.A. Fogg Reef material: Cluster of 6 obsolete petroleum platforms survived several perilous Atlantic convoy Located: 28° 35' 46.485" N and 94° 48' 41.605" W crossings during World War II before a disastrous benzene explosion in 1972 caused her to sink in her present location. For additional information contact: Photos courtesy of Artificial Reef Program the National Archives. Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744-3291 World War II Heritage 1-800-792-1112, ext. 4686 or (512) 389-4686 for Divers, Anglers and the Public Credits Historical research conducted by Texas Historical Commission, Austin

© 2002 Texas Parks and Wildlife. PWD BR V3400–423 (4/02) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. Port Texas Artificial Reefs Houston Arthur A Tribute to the Lone Star State Texas has been involved in artificial reef development for over 50 years. Freeport Freeport Liberty Ship Reef Numerous reef building materials have been used over the years. However, 28° 35' 46.485" N the first highly successful artificial reef development occurred during 94° 48' 41.605" W the mid-1970’s when 12 obsolete Liberty Ships were sunk at five Port 36 nm from Freeport bearing 122°. Lavaca Two ships near V.A. Fogg tanker. different sites in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Parks and Wildlife’s

Artificial Reef Program has added materials to most of these sites 28° 36' 00.011" N BOUNDARY LIMITS OF ARTIFICIAL REEF 28° 35' 59.076" N and created others through programs like Rigs-to-Reefs, in 94° 48' 55.861" W 94° 48' 26.262" W which petroleum companies donate obsolete petroleum The water depth at the Freeport Liberty Ship -100' platforms to the Program. Corpus Christi Reef is 100-102 feet, and the depth to the At these sites, anglers may encounter numerous -74' deck of the ship wrecks is approximately fish species including amberjack, snapper, cobia, 70-80 feet. Other reef materials at this site Atlantic spadefish, triggerfish, tarpon, sharks (such as 2 include: six Rigs-to-Reef structures donated by the blacktip, tiger, dusky, and hammerhead), and grouper. Cal-Dive International which were positioned LIBERTY SHIP In addition, divers may see colorful damsel fish, -83' in the shape of a star, 300 fly ash blocks butterflyfish, blennies, and countless invertebrates. Port As of this printing, 40 artificial reef sites have been Mansfield donated by Houston Lighting & Power established to benefit the environment by creating Company and placed near the V.A. Fogg, and

Aerial view of two of the twelve Liberty Ships being prepared for a welded pipe structure donated by Conoco center pt. habitat for marine organisms, and to provide areas 1 3 -105' 4 of reef sinking as artificial fishing reefs by the Texas Coastal and Marine Brownsville and Galveston County. -65' Council. The ship on the right has had the superstructure and for increased fishing and sport diving opportunities. -64' 5 main deck removed. Deck openings seen here plus large side -66' windows provided water circulation and access for fish. Work 8 6 was done under contract by Andy International, Incorporated of 7 -65' Brownsville, Texas. -65' -65' STAR REEF Type EC-2 Liberty Ship T-2 TANKER (CAL-DIVE INC. CONTRIBUTION) 441 feet overall

-96' 9 -90' -104' -80' -100' -102' -104' LIBERTY SHIP

-97' -83' 10 -96' 11 -93' -80' -101' SCATTERED -95' SONAR CONTACTS Type T-2 Tanker Four Lakes -101' T-2 TANKER

523 feet overall 12 -93' WRECKAGE -71' feet 13 14 0 250 500 750 1000 HL&P REEF -60' CONOCO/ -83' GALVESTON COUNTY REEF 28° 35' 33.889" N 28° 35' 32.953" N BOUNDARY LIMITS OF ARTIFICIAL REEF 94° 48' 56.920" W 94° 48' 27.323" W