Wednesday, May 27, 2009

World War II Ship to Be Sunk

The General Hoyt S. Vandenberg is to be sunk sometime today off Key West to become the world's second largest artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Explosives will be used to settle it 140 feet down.

The ship was launched in 1943 and served as the the transport ship USS General Harry Taylor, AP-145, during World War II. It made many trips across the Pacific bringing soldiers to New Guinea, the Solomons, and Philippines.

In 1961, it was transferred to the US Air Force and renamed the Vandenberg. It tracked US missile launches and monitored those of the Soviet Union.

Good Use for an Old Ship. --Da Coot

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