For 30 years the Texas Clipper One was used to train Aggies off the coast of Galveston. But now the 473 foot of ship is headed to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Clipper will be towed out to sea this fall and sunk off the coast of Port Isabel to create an artificial reef.
According to A&M, the ship was originally a naval vessel used as an attack transport during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Later it took civilian passengers on cruises to the Mediterranean. In 1965 it was towed to Galveston and restored for use in maritime training at A&M Galveston.
The ship was replaced in 1996 and is no longer in use. Those who voted to sink it, say the ship will encourage marine life to grow and be an interesting place for divers.
