USS Stewart is afloat and righted.
The recovery plan was discussed and approved at the November board meeting of the Cavalla Historical Foundation. The largest and most expensive job will be getting the Stewart righted.
The current plan is to right the Stewart where she is currently sitting and not try to move back into her original position. This will be done by building a tall bank around the ship and the ground washed out from under her with high pressure water hoses. She will be floated and then water pumped out so she will settle back down into her current position on an even keel. The boat lodged under her keel will be removed. The grounds around her will be restored to normal. Once this has been accomplished power can be restored and the efforts to clean up the office and berthing areas can be begin.
The Cavalla will remain where she sits and the trench around her will be filled in. The area on her hull that is exposed will be repaired, sand blasted and painted. Power will be restored and interior cleanup efforts can begin.
The Command Master Chief for the Seabee battalion in Dallas has volunteered 100 man days for the recovery effort. This will be used a training exercise for them and provide skilled trades to aid with the recovery work. Hopefully they can refurbish the memorial plaza and sidewalks in the area and replace or repair the light posts, flag poles and memorial plaques in the military exhibit.
The Tautog sail will be placed back on its concrete pad and painted. The Carp conning tower will also be placed back on it concrete slap so restoration work can continue.
A new concrete slab has been poured and will be used for for the new storage container.
The Galveston Park Board will replacing the fencing that surrounded the military exhibit. The new fencing will appear like fencing around a military installation.