PENSACOLA, Florida (24 Mar 2006) -- It was almost three years in the making, but the rusting hulk of the warship once known as "the Mighty O" has arrived at Pensacola, Fla., for its final shakedown. With tugboats guiding the powerless ship through calm seas at less than 2 mph, the decommissioned carrier Oriskany took all afternoon Wednesday to dock at Allegheny Pier at the southeastern tip of the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The ship will become the largest ship ever to be sunk as an artificial reef and scuba-diving attraction, and diving enthusiasts lauded its long-delayed arrival Wednesday. "This is a dream come true," said Robert Turpin, Escambia County, Fla.'s marine resources chief who is credited with getting the ball rolling on the multi-govermental effort that allowed the Oriskany to be reefed off Pensacola. Although the arrival of the 56-year-old ship from its temporary berth in Beaumont, Texas, was delayed by more than a week because of rough seas, that should not postpone the ship's planned May 17 sinking date, said Harry White, public affairs officer for the naval air station. By May 17, the 880-foot ship should be ready for its final resting place, about 24 miles offshore. Resolve Marine Co. of Fort Lauderdale and Esco Marine Co. of Brownsville, Texas, are set to begin work today on cleaning contaminants from the decommissioned aircraft carrier and cutting holes in the hull. No visitors will be allowed at the pier while crews ready the ship for sinking, officials said. Once the ship is sunk, divers and anglers should be allowed within 48 hours. | | Crew members tie up the Vietnam-era aircraft carrier Oriskany at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., on Wednesday. "A lot of people said it wasn't coming back," said Gary Toms, owner of Dive Pros scuba shop in Pensacola. "But now we're kind of going, 'I told you so.' People will be coming from all over the world to dive this thing." SOURCE - Navy Times |
