Monday, September 1, 2008

Derelict WW II Oil Tanker's Last Voyage

The Ked, a WW II oil tanker has been declared a derelict and took her final voyage Sunday from Bremerton, Washington, where she has essentially been abandoned to Seattle where it will be broken up for scrap.

The rusting 156 foot ship has been rusting in one spot for the last ten years. The last owner had wanted to restore it and turn it into a salvage and research vessel. Lack of funds stopped him so the state DNR declared it a derelict and took it over.

It was built between 1943 and 1945 and was once named the Fletcher J and was one of several YO-153 class of fleet oil tankers. Some are still in use as fishing boats in Alaska.

The YO-153 itself was sunk in 2005 to create an artificial reef off Long Island.

Goodbye Ked. -- Cooter

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