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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Air Force Ship Becomes Artificial Reef Off Fla. Keys

WWII cargo ship also tracked missiles and spacecraft

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(Newser) – Demolition experts sank an Air Force ship this morning to create an artificial reef in the Florida Keys, the AP reports. The 17,000-ton, WWII-era cargo ship took less than 2 minutes to sink after a series of explosions. The new "reef" is expected to bring in about $8 million in tourism revenue, just shy of the $8.6 million it took—over 14 years—to win approval for its demolition, adds the Miami Herald.

"I can't think of a better final use of a ship that has had a long, hard career all around the world," said a man who worked on the vessel when it was a Cold War missile tracker. Today's sinking of the 523-foot long Vandenberg—the second-largest ship ever sunk to create a reef—was broadcast online.

Veterans who served on the US missile tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg walk on the ship they once served.
Veterans who served on the US missile tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg walk on the ship they once served.   (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Mike Marrero)
The former U.S. Air Force missile-tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg begins to sink after cutting charges were detonated.
The former U.S. Air Force missile-tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg begins to sink after cutting charges were detonated.   (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman)
Tugboats tow the decommissioned U.S. military missile-tracking Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg out of the harbor in Key West for detonation.
Tugboats tow the decommissioned U.S. military missile-tracking Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg out of the harbor in Key West for detonation.   (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman)
Jake Higdon uses a cutting torch to remove a piece of the retired US missile tracking ship.
Jake Higdon uses a cutting torch to remove a piece of the retired US missile tracking ship.   (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Rob O'Neal)
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5 comments
VIEWING:
 
NewserHound
May 27, 09 2:01 PM CDT
Okay so now we are knowingly polluting the oceans??? How and why did this cost us over 8 million dollars. This spending needs to STOP. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
May 27, 09 4:53 PM CDT
It was just steel. It had been cleaned out. This is destined for use as a reef for fish and divers, so there's no way they're going to let it retain oil or what-not.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Chudluv
May 28, 09 1:23 AM CDT
This has been happening for years. I think you should pull your head out of the sand more then once a decade. Anything and everything from oil to asbestos is cleaned out before it can even move out of it's moorings. Anything harmful to the environment is taken careful.... The money used to buy the ships are usually raised by private enterprises, but sometimes Government's like FL will chip in partial for the buying and removal of harmful crap. Thus, when divers come to play, they pay taxes...AKA tourism dollars
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 27, 09 4:40 PM CDT
The math doesn't quite add up to be a good thing... Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
feldgreg
May 28, 09 3:13 AM CDT
Prior "math" has decimated the fish population and other coral reefs. Anything that actually promotes the rebuilding of reefs and the fish population is a good thing. I want to eat Grouper 20 years from now. /This does not go in the same category as the infamous artificial tire reef
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Air Force • World War II • demolition • US Air Force • cargo ships • Florida Keys • artificial reef • Jay-ZTV • Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg

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