The sail from the decommissioned USS City of Corpus Christi is taking new steps toward being a memorial after being acquired by the Ed Rachal Foundation for restoration and eventual public display.
The sail, which once stood atop the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, has been disassembled into four major pieces for transport and restoration. The largest section measures 38 feet wide and weighs 33,400 pounds, while another major component weighs 32,800 pounds. When fully reassembled, the memorial will stand 38 feet wide and 20 feet tall to honor the submarine's service history.
Taylor Hunt with the Ed Rachal Foundation said the organization has taken possession of the sail components and placed them on the foundation's property for temporary storage. The restoration process will be extensive, requiring significant sandblasting, welding, and painting work to return the structure to its former glory.
"We're gonna be restoring it and hopefully bringing it back to its original life," Hunt said.
According to Phillip Kimbro, commander of the Submarine Veterans Sea Turtle Base Corpus Christi, the sail has already been in the city for about two years awaiting funding for reassembly. It was previously stored on private property under an agreement that fell through after the death of the individual overseeing the effort, leaving the project stalled as the company searched unsuccessfully for internal funding.
“It’s been a long time in coming,” Kimbro said, noting that multiple organizations, including architects and contractors are now collaborating to bring the memorial to completion.
The sail was recently moved to the Ed Rachal Foundation property, marking a turning point for the long-delayed project.
The memorial's final home is Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park, as part of Phase 2 of the park's master plan.
The project is still in its preliminary phases, with the foundation working to assess the full scope of restoration needed. While no definitive timeline has been established for the restoration work or the memorial's installation, the acquisition represents a significant milestone in preserving this piece of Corpus Christi's naval heritage.
Funding remains a key component of the project. Kimbro said donations will go toward the sail’s refurbishment, reassembly, insurance requirements, and long-term maintenance once it is installed on city property. The project has long aimed for a baseline of approximately $2 million in funding, though organizers are optimistic support will continue to grow.
Kimbro, a retired submarine repair and engineering officer, has a personal connection to the vessel. He served on three nuclear submarines during his career and was once stationed at Naval Submarine Base Groton, Connecticut, where the USS City of Corpus Christi was homeported. There, he oversaw maintenance on the submarine, making his current role in maintaining the memorial a full-circle moment decades later.
“It’s a great sense of accomplishment,” Kimbro said.
The USS City of Corpus Christi served the U.S. Navy before its decommissioning. The Ed Rachal Foundation's commitment to restoring and displaying the sail demonstrates the community's dedication to honoring military service and preserving important historical artifacts.
As the restoration project develops, the foundation expects to provide updates on progress and timeline details for the memorial's eventual installation at its permanent downtown location.
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