Captain Greg Allen’s Presentation at the 2024 HNSA Conference in San Diego
On 17 September, Jacksonville Naval Museum’s Captain Greg Allen presented at the Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Annual Symposium in San Diego, offering attendees an in-depth look at the USS Orleck’s storied past and the journey to its new home in Jacksonville. His presentation began with a brief history of the USS Orleck (DD-886), a Gearing-class destroyer with an impressive service record that includes World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Captain Greg then transitioned to the events leading up to the Orleck’s arrival in Jacksonville, a monumental effort involving the community and leadership that helped secure the ship’s future. The audience was captivated by a video that detailed the challenges of transporting the Orleck from Orange, Texas, to Jacksonville, where it arrived on 26 March 2022. Following the ship’s arrival, the team began preparing interior spaces for public tours, officially opening the museum in October 2022. The reaction to the presentation was overwhelmingly positive, with special praise for the video summarizing the entire journey.
The presentation also covered the ongoing restoration efforts to preserve the ship and enhance the visitor experience. Captain Greg shared updates on key projects, including restoring the Pilot House and the aft berthing compartments, where flooding damage required significant repairs. Additionally, new exhibits have been installed, including the Mount 52 Experience and a reconfiguration of the DASH hangar. The museum also acquired a motor whaleboat, which was proudly restored to display the ship’s number “886.”
The Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Annual Symposium is a global gathering of naval museum professionals, historians, and volunteers committed to preserving historic naval vessels. First organized in 1964, the symposium rotates locations each year, offering participants a chance to tour different museum ships and attend workshops on best practices. In 2024, San Diego hosted the event, which featured panel discussions, networking opportunities, and tours of several historic ships. Captain Greg’s presentation about the USS Orleck was a key highlight, inspiring attendees and underscoring the museum’s mission to honor naval history while engaging future generations
