USS Thompson (DD-305), 1920-1931
"USS Thompson, a 1190-ton Clemson class destroyer, was built at
San Francisco, California. She was commissioned in August 1920 and
mainly operated in the Pacific throughout her service career, with
occasional transits of the Panama canal to take part in fleet
exercises in the Caribbean and Atlantic. In early 1921 Thompson
steamed south as far as Valparaiso, Chile. She was part of the
squadron of destroyers that was involved in the 8 September 1923
Honda Point disaster, but was not herself damaged. In mid-1925,
Thompson accompanied the Battle Fleet on its trans-Pacific cruise
to Australia and New Zealand.
The 1930 London Naval Treaty placed limits on the Navy's
destroyer tonnage, and Thompson was one of many ships discarded as
a result. She was decommissioned in April 1930, stripped of
military fittings and sold in June 1931. Her new owners converted
her to a floating restaurant. Thompson's hulk was repurchased by
the Navy in February 1944, placed on mud flats in San Francisco
Bay, California, and used as a bombing target. It reportedly still
existed, in a much-deteriorated condition, into the 1970s."
[Source: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
Website
Yes, indeed she still exists! The wreck is an occasional
destination for my kayak club. The first two miles of the trek to
the wreck are in the sheltered waters of Redwood Slough, the final
three miles of the approach on the exposed South Bay. Conditions
can be exciting at times out here. We had squalls the day the cache
was place...light rains, 20 knot winds with 30 knot gusts, 3-4'
wind waves. It made for some interesting kayaking!
Note that the cache was placed at about 3:39pm on 7/21/06 (see
update note below.) It was very easily accessed at the tide height
this day. However, increase the difficulty rating by 1 point for
every 18" less tide height. If the tides are more then 4' less then
on this date, you likely will not be able to access the cache
safely. Plan accordingly!
There are large parts of the ship submerged!
Use caution in the area of the wreck. Damage to hulls is very
possible if you are not careful. I would NOT recommend approaching
this cache with a vessel with a very deep draft.
7/21/2006 UPDATE:
Cache relocated slightly. Used a chain this time as it has
broken free twice now. Should be more secure...hopefully! Please be
sure to reassemble the cache container properly. The outer wrapper
is necessary to help keep the cache closed up.
A number of geocoins were dropped in this update. Please only
take one coin! Leave the other coins for the next visitor. If
you want to swap coins out one for one instead, that is
acceptable.
