ex ss 'President Hayes'

We finally left Mobile for the Thialf, working currently on the Perdido location in the Western Gulf of Mexico. On our way out of Mobile Bay, we passed this vessel, firm aground and listing over starboard, but apparently not deserted and still in use. A quick investigation on Google learned that this is not an ordinary vessel. Her history started in 1949 when she was laid down as ss 'President Hayes', for the American President Lines. Before actually put in service, she was bought by the United States Navy and renamed UNNS 'Upshur', named after a famous Medal of Honor winner. The next 21 years she served as a troop transport and was de-commissioned in 1973 and loaned to the Maine Maritime Academy. She was renamed T/V State of Maine. As a training ship, she served for 17 years before being relocated to Mobile and starting a new life for the US Coast Guard as a Fire Tactics Training Hull. This means that all kinds of new safety and fire fighting equipment is tested on this vessel first.
A ship with a long history, although not looking too good, still serving a maritime purpose.

Other Specs :

Displacement : 11,203 tons
Length : 162 meter
Beam : 22 meter
Draft : 8 meter
Speed : 19 knots
Complement : 216
Troop capacity : 2,500
Propulsion : Steam Turbine 13,750 HP