| Class and Type: |
Training Ship |
| Displacement: |
2,250 tons |
| Length: |
224 ft (68 m) |
| Beam: |
43 ft (13 m) |
| Draft: |
16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Propulsion: |
Diesel-electric drive, twin shaft, inboard turning |
| Speed: |
11 kts cruising |
| Crew: |
64 |
Thousands of Sea Aggies from Texas A&M University at Galveston have earned their sea legs on different training vessels through the years, and several of those ships had colorful histories. In 1965 the Department of Commerce repurposed the USS Queens, a 473-foot, 14,000-ton ship that began as a World War II transport ship, as the Texas Clipper. The TEXAS CLIPPER was used by hundreds of Sea Aggies from 1965 through 1994 and served as a floating classroom around the world for students studying maritime sciences, oceanography and marine biology. The latest training ship is the GENERAL RUDDER, a 224 ft, 2250 ton former ocean surveillance naval ship, named for legendary Texas A&M graduate James Earl Rudder, who commanded the fabled Army Rangers during their scaling of Pointe Du Hoc on D-Day, June 6, 1944, on the French coast. Rudder went on to become president of Texas A&M from 1959 until his death in 1970. The General Rudder has trained hundreds of midshipmen and has been used by every branch of the armed forces.