'Ghost Fleet' ship will be reborn as reef off of Key West

By the Associated Press

October 8, 2007

NORFOLK , Va. - A World War II-vintage ship that served in the Cold War will be sunk off of Florida 's Key West as an artificial reef.

Reefmakers, a Moorestown , New Jersey , creator of artificial reefs, will sink the 530-foot General Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 140 feet of water next spring.

The ship was built as the General Harry Taylor during World War II. In 1963 it was fitted with satellite equipment, renamed, and spent the rest of its Navy career as a missile tracker.

It had been retired to the James River Reserve Fleet, also known as the "Ghost Fleet."

The $5.7 million dollar project is being paid for by the U.S. Maritime Administration and taxpayers in Florida.