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Boat wedges under World War II relic

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 2, 2009 6:37:19 EST

GALVESTON, Texas — An unnamed 25-foot boat displaced by Hurricane Ike is now pinned under a World War II-era destroyer on Pelican Island, complicating efforts to return the popular tourist attraction to its berth.

The USS Stewart, one of only three remaining U.S. Navy destroyers built during World War II, was moved out of its resting place at Seawolf Park after Ike made landfall Sept. 13.

When floodwaters subsided, members of the Cavalla Historical Foundation who maintain the Stewart discovered another boat wedged underneath it. Foundation curator John McMichael said the boat has a green hull, an 11-foot stern and bumpers hanging over its side, but work crews have been unable to find a name or any other identifying markings.

On Tuesday, Galveston’s Park Board of Trustees, which manages Seawolf Park and partners with the foundation to keep the Stewart open to the public, will hire a company to separate the boats.

The Cavalla, a World War II submarine, is also permanently berthed at the park on Pelican Island and was only slightly moved by Ike. Ernie Connor, a member of both the park board and the historical foundation, said that once crews finish righting the Stewart, the foundation will build a new gangplank to the Cavalla and open the hatch again for tours.

The Stewart was added to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year. The ship commenced North Atlantic convoy operations in 1944 and made 30 crossings. It was decommissioned in January 1947.

Local officials hope the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help pay to right the Stewart and make repairs to the rest of the display around the ship.