Wreck of USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116)

USA / Washington / Neah Bay /
 navy, shipwreck
The 7th member of the Gen'l John Pope Class of transports, the MC Meigs was a decorated WWII and Korean War Veteran, having served extensively as a troopship in both conflicts.

She was placed into the Reserve Fleet in Olympia, WA after her Korean War Service, and when the Navy decided to consolidate their West coast Reserve Fleets to Suisun Bay the MC Meigs was ordered towed south to Benecia, CA in 1972.

As the USNS Gear towed the MC Meigs around Cape Flattery, foul weather took over and the tow line on the Megis parted. She drifed for a few hours in a force 8 gale while US Navy & US Coast Guard ships frantically tried to attach another tow line to the ship, however they were unsuccessful and the MC Meigs ran aground broadside to the surf here at Portage Head.

The pounding surf and rocks made short work of the once proud ship and she was quickly broken in two, settled into the sands and broke apart.

www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22116.htm
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USNS_General_M._C._Meigs_(T-AP-116)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   48°17'13"N   124°41'15"W

Comments

  • Six years old (1946) I sailed with MS General M.C.Meigs from San Frabcisco bound for Shanghai via Honolulu with my parents intending to serve as missionaries in China. At that time 'Meigs' was part of the 'President Line'-owners. I remember my time on board the old tropper as one of the most exiting experiences on my whole lifetime. Kind regards Jørgen (Geoge) Hauge Abigaelvej 2A DK-5000 Odense Denmark
This article was last modified 13 years ago