Preparing for the Future While Honoring the Past
Gulf Copper recently began upgrades to the #5 Drydock in Port Arthur. The Drydock, known in its past life as the AFDL 23, has a rich history beginning in the mid-1940s as an Auxiliary Floating Drydock for the United States Navy.
During World War 2, the Drydock serviced many naval combatant ships till the end of the war. The Drydock was again called into service during the Vietnam War and made its way throughout the South Pacific where it finally came to be in its present location of Port Arthur Texas.
One Gulf Copper employee said it best,
“It is truly amazing to think back at how much history this dock as experienced and we continue to add to that history here at Gulf Copper.”
For more information about the Drydock and its capabilities, please contact sales@gulfcopper.com.
I served aboard the 23 in VietNam 1969 as a Damage Controlman
I served on AFDL 22 & AFDL 23 in Danang, from August 01, 1968 to June 5, 1969. 3rd Class Damage Control.
I reported aboard the 23 in April ’69 . It was towed to Subic Bay sometime in the fall of “69 if I recall correctly. Sometime in the spring of ’69 the 22 was towed in and tied up next to the 23. We operated both docks with one DC crew for several months until the 23 was towed off. The 22 was still there when left in March ’70 and I heard it was later turned over to the south vietnam navy.