Sinking The Vandenberg

A ship last used by the U.S. Air Force totrack missiles and spacecraft has been sunk in the Florida Keys,creating a new artificial reef for sport divers and anglers.

By: Katie Hammond | WKRG-TV
Published: May 27, 2009

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KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - A ship last used by the U.S. Air Force to
track missiles and spacecraft has been sunk in the Florida Keys,
creating a new artificial reef for sport divers and anglers.
The Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg sank in less than two minutes
Wednesday morning, after demolition experts triggered a series of
explosives that lined both sides of the ship.
Key West City Manager Jim Scholl says he believes the
17,000-ton, 523-foot-long ship settled on the bottom of the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary in an upright position, but he was
awaiting confirmation from divers.
The ship was built as a World War II Army troop carrier. Florida
Keys officials expect it to generate up to $8 million annually in
tourism-related revenue, mostly from divers and related businesses.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)