Wednesday, MAy 17, 2006, the old carrier was finally sent to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The US Navy used 500 pounds of plastic explosives to blast off sea valves, causing the ship to flood and sink in 37 minutes.
It was originally intended that the ship be sunk in the summer of 2005, but there were delays. The official working on the environmental permits passed away, causing delays. With the upcoming 2005 hurricane season causing concerns about the ship's safety in Pensacola, the carrier was towed back to the reserve fleet in Texas. IN early 2006 she was towed back to Florida, and final preperations were made for her sinking.
Diving was offically allowed 48 hours after the sinking. The project ended up taking two years and costing over $20 million, but it is expected to create a tourism boom in the area.
The following pictures are courtesy of the US Navy.
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