A decorated WWII ship came to Missouri, by way of the Mississippi, to live out the rest of her life as a floating museum. However, the mighty Mississippi proved to be more than the ship could handle. The Great Flood of 1993 caused widespread destruction. In St. Louis, the Mississippi River crested at 49.6 feet on August 1 and sealed the fate of the USS Inaugural. Today, most people don’t know that the ruins of this amazing ship still sit in the river, which is visible to all when the water levels are low.

Up close, it's hard to truly decipher exactly how larger this Admirable-class WWII minesweeper really is.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
However, from a different vantage point this huge ship is simply awe inducing. It almost breaks your heart to see something so historically important sitting in ruins.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
The USS Inaugural was launched on October first in 1944. After seeing combat in WWII, the ship was decommissioned. From 1946 until 1968 the ship sat as a part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
Kevin Saff/Wikimedia
In 1968 this amazing ship was towed up the Mississippi to St. Louis where it became a floating museum. USS Inaugural was deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1986, as one of two surviving Admirable-class minesweepers used in the Pacific during World War II. However, just 6 years later the vessel became yet another victim of the flood of '93.
Kevin Staff/Wikimedia

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On 1 August 1993, the Inaugural broke loose from its moorings at the St. Louis Arch grounds. The vessel sank a half a mile south of the Poplar Street Bridge and remains there today.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Sadly, the Inaugural lost its historic designation and the ship was declared a total loss.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Although now in ruins, the Inaugural is still an amazing sight to see. Over the past few years the river levels have gotten low enough for curious spectators to finally get a closer look.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
After becoming fully exposed in 2013, plans were announced to scrap the wreckage. However, the river levels increased before the job was accomplished.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Today the ruined USS Inaugural is still visible when the water levels are low. Please use caution if you decide to visit, it really isn't safe to go into the river or into the ship!
Paul Sableman/Flickr
So if you want a peek at these incredible ruins you'll want to find S. Wharf St. and Rutger St., in St. Louis and then head to the riverfront.

Have you seen the USS Inaugural in its watery resting place? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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