Warbird Information Exchange

From; The Pensacola News Journal

Published - March, 17, 2006
Oriskany leaves Texas, should be at NAS on Monday or Tuesday
From staff reports

The decommissioned aircraft carrier Oriskany left Beaumont, Texas, on Thursday at 9:55 a.m. and should arrive at Pensacola Naval Air Station on Monday or Tuesday.

The long-awaited departure of the veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars was delayed last week because of high winds in Texas. However, by Thursday, seas were calm and tow boats began pulling the rusting aircraft carrier on its 600-mile journey.

The ship will be cleaned at Pensacola Naval Air Station, then towed 22.5 miles offshore, where it will be sunk as an artificial reef and diving spot. The U.S. Navy said the Oriskany could be sunk May 17 if weather permits.

The ship is expected to draw hundreds of divers and could generate more than $90 million in economic benefits for the Pensacola area every year, a Florida State University study has suggested.
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Well I guess this is better than cutting her up for scrap. I have known a lot of guys that served on this ship. Lotta history there. To bad she wasn't made into a floating museum.
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

Does anyone know which carrier has been slowly cut up at Mare Island over the last several years? I had been told it was the Oriskany, now I'm curious as to which it is/was.

Gee, are they going to fill the Deck with panthers, Skyraiders, corsairs, A-4's, F-4's. etc. etc. ? it just seems like a sad end to a piece of American History.

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-Bill
B-17E 41-2595 "Desert Rat" Restoration Team

darn,

I really hate to see things end up their lives at the hands of a scrappers torch or as in the case of some Navy ships, used for target practice to sink them. This one hits a bit closer to home for me, as I was born in Upstate New York in the little town that this once mighty Carrier is named. Oriskany, New York.

The sad thing to watch, was recently done on the History channel which showed how things such as ships and aircraft are, euphemistaically reffered to as "Recycled". I realize you can't keep things like planes and mighty ships around forever, but they still are a reminder and reflect on the men and women who manned them during their lives.

Just my two cents,

Paul

From The Pensacola News Journal


Published - March, 23, 2006

Oriskany is back
Ship scheduled to be sunk in area on May 17


William Rabb
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

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 for its final shakedown.

With tugboats guiding the powerless ship through calm seas at less than 2 mph, the decommissioned USS Oriskany took all afternoon Wednesday to dock at Allegheny Pier at the southeastern tip of the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The aircraft carrier 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'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.

"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."
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They had some pics with this story, she looks pretty bad.
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!