What happened to USS Oriskany?
Decommissioned in 1976, she was sold for scrap in 1995, but was repossessed in 1997 because nothing was being done. In 2004, it was decided to sink her as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. As of 2008, Oriskany is the largest vessel ever sunk to make a reef.
Was the USS Oriskany in Vietnam?
The ship served in post-World War II conflicts in the Pacific, earning two battle stars in the Korean War, and five in Vietnam. The Oriskany was decommissioned in 1976, and sunk to form an artificial reef in 2006 off the coast of Florida.
Why did they sink the USS Oriskany?
Oriskany, known as the Mighty-O, was commissioned in 1950 and served in Korea and Vietnam. The ship was sunk by the Navy in May 2006 under a pilot program to convert decommissioned vessels into artificial reefs.
Where is the aircraft carrier Oriskany?
USS Oriskany was sunk in 2006, 22 miles south of Pensacola in more than 200 feet of water. Nicknamed “the Great Carrier Reef,” the site is one of the most popular diving destinations in the United States.
What is the largest artificial reef in the world?
vessel U.S.S. Oriskany
Pensacola Beach is home to the largest artificial reef in the world and five dive-friendly shipwreck sites. The naval vessel U.S.S. Oriskany was built in 1945 following World War II and is now the largest artificial reef in the world.
How much did it cost to sink the Oriskany?
The cost to sink the retired aircraft carrier “USS Oriskany” has gone from $2.8 million to $12.7 million.
How deep is the USS Oriskany?
212 feet
The Oriskany was sunk on May 17, 2006, off Pensacola Pass at a depth of 212 feet. U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34) nicknamed the Mighty O, is the first naval warship and largest artificial reef ever to be intentionally sunk in U.S. coastal waters.
What US carrier was 34?
USS Oriskany
The USS Oriskany, affectionately referred to as “The Mighty O” was a U.S. Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier named for the Revolutionary War Battle of the same name. Originally rushed to construction as part of the war effort, the USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) was designed as an Essex-class aircraft carrier.
How much is an artificial reef?
Creating an artificial reef can be costly. The cost to prepare a ship for reefing can range from $46,000 to $2 million, depending on the size of the vessel (Hess et al. 2001).
What state has the largest artificial reef program?
Alabama
Alabama has one of the largest artificial reef programs in the United States.
How far offshore is the USS Oriskany?
She was ultimately decommissioned and purchased by Escambia County to be made into an artificial reef 10 miles offshore.