Texas Clipper Wreck Reef – South Padre Island

The vessel that became the artificial reef off South Padre Island began life as USS Queens (APA-103), launched on September 12 1944. She served during World War II as an attack transport, carrying troops and wounded from Pacific battlefields and arriving at the combat zone at Battle of Iwo Jima as the first attack troop transport to do so.
After the war she was converted into a civilian passenger and cargo liner named SS Excambion, one of the “Four Aces” of the American Export Lines fleet, serving routes between New York and Mediterranean ports. In 1965 she was transferred to the Texas Maritime Academy (part of Texas A&M University Galveston) and renamed USTS Texas Clipper, working as a training vessel for maritime students until her retirement in the early 1990s.

Conversion and Reefing

In preparation for her final role as an artificial reef, the Texas Clipper underwent extensive cleaning and structural modifications at a shipyard in Brownsville beginning in 2006. Hazardous materials including fuels, oil, asbestos, PCBs and mercury were removed, and large openings were cut to allow water flow and diver access while decks and hatches were secured for safety. The vessel was towed and, on November 17 2007, she was intentionally sunk off South Padre Island in the Gulf of Mexico under the management of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program.

Location and Dive Profile

The wreck lies about 17 miles (or approximately 17 nautical miles) off the coast of South Padre Island in federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone, at an approximate depth of 134–136 feet. She rests on her port side. The highest point of the wreck rises to roughly 62–70 feet below the surface, making her accessible to advanced recreational divers. Typical dive profiles target depths of 80–90 feet, though the full extent of the wreck reaches near the bottom depth.

Marine Habitat and Recreational Value

With a length of 473 feet and a hard surface area of approximately 76,000 square feet, the Texas Clipper provides extensive habitat for marine organisms. Sessile invertebrates such as barnacles, sponges, corals and mussels attach to her structure, and her vertical relief attracts numerous fish species including Atlantic spadefish, red snapper, barracuda, cobia and jacks. The reef also contributes significantly to the local economy, generating over a million dollars through dive and fishing activities.

Dive Experience and Operator Access

Dive operators depart from South Padre Island or Port Isabel to access the wreck. The dive begins at the shallowest sections (around 65–70 ft) before descending into the deeper zones of the wreck. Visibility varies by season; during spring through fall visibility may reach 80–100 feet with water temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s °F, while winter sees cooler temperatures and shorter visibility. Given the depth, currents and structural orientation, the dive is best suited for certified divers comfortable with penetration and deeper wreck diving.