Navy Carrier to Become Fishing Reef

Updated: Tue 1:03 PM, Apr 06, 2004

A combat carrier that kept sailors alive during two wars is finally headed for a watery grave off the coast of Florida's panhandle, but one that will help keep fish alive and let SCUBA divers have some fun.

The retired USS Oriskany was in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It will be sunk in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola's coast to become an artificial reef.

The 888-foot Oriskany is the first vessel in a new program designed to rid the Navy of obsolete warships by sinking them as a cheaper alternative to the scrap yard.

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