Historic USS City of Corpus Christi Submarine Sail Restoration Begins

The 60-ton sail structure will undergo sandblasting and a new paint job before being installed at a local memorial park or museum.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:19am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred outline of a large crane lifting a metal structure, with the cityscape in the background rendered in soft, warm pools of light and color.The restoration of a historic naval artifact will allow Corpus Christi to preserve an important piece of its maritime heritage.Corpus Christi Today

Pieces of the historic USS City of Corpus Christi submarine sail were unloaded in Corpus Christi, Texas on Tuesday. The Ed Rachal Foundation has taken possession of the 60-ton sail and plans to begin restoring it, including sandblasting and a new paint job. Once assembled, the 38-foot wide and 20-foot tall sail structure will eventually be installed at either Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park or the USS Lexington museum.

Why it matters

The USS City of Corpus Christi was an important part of the city's naval history, serving from 1981 until its decommissioning in 2017. Restoring and preserving the submarine's sail will help commemorate this legacy and allow residents and visitors to connect with the city's maritime heritage.

The details

The large crane unloaded the pieces of the USS City of Corpus Christi's sail on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in the years-long effort to bring this historic naval artifact to the Corpus Christi bayfront. The Ed Rachal Foundation, a local nonprofit, has taken possession of the 60-ton sail structure and will now begin the restoration process, which will include sandblasting and applying a fresh coat of paint.

  • The USS City of Corpus Christi submarine went into service in 1981.
  • The USS City of Corpus Christi was decommissioned in 2017.
  • The submarine's sail arrived in the Corpus Christi area nearly two years ago.

The players

Ed Rachal Foundation

A local nonprofit organization that has taken possession of the USS City of Corpus Christi's sail and will oversee its restoration.

USS City of Corpus Christi

A submarine that served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 until its decommissioning in 2017, and is now having its historic sail restored for display.

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What’s next

Once the restoration process is complete, the 38-foot wide and 20-foot tall sail structure will be installed at either Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park or the USS Lexington museum in Corpus Christi.

The takeaway

The restoration of the USS City of Corpus Christi's sail is an important effort to preserve the city's naval history and allow residents and visitors to connect with this significant piece of the community's maritime legacy.