# Sinking the Oriskany **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 27, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333 "2004-05-27T13:49:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/1 "2004-05-27T13:49:20Z")
[url=“[http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story\_id=11763](http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=11763)”]USS _Oriskany_ to become an artificial reef. I used to be acitive in the San Diego Navy Sailing Club when I was in jr. high. One day I sailed from the club, just south of the amphib base, to the 32nd St. docks; right up to the fantail of CVA-34 USS _Oriskany_. There I was in my little 14-foot sloop, and this behemoth rose up in front of me! What an awesome sight! IIRC, _Oriskany_ took part in one of the Apollo recovery missions (Apollo 13?). Quite a history, that ship has. One of the great _Essex_ class carriers. It’s sad to see her go. But unlike the ferry _Kalakala_, the exploration vessel _Calypso_, and the steam yacht _El Primero_ that I mentioned in another thread, there are other _Essex_-class carriers that were saved as museums. (e.g., CV-11 _Intrepid_) Sinking _Oriskany_ does not deprive us of exapmles of this class of ship. I’m sure _Oriskany_ will make a fine dive site. Still, it will be sad to see her go. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/2 "2004-05-27T14:16:13Z")
Yeah, I saw this on the news the other day and I couldn’t figure out why the name rang a bell. Then I remembered - my dad served on it while in the Marines from '59 to '61. Don’t know how he feels about it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/3 "2004-05-27T16:01:28Z")
I was under the impression that steel prices were unusually high lately. You don’t get much more steel in one place than an aircraft carrier. Is it still more economical to sink the craft than recycle it? (I know recycling ships is a messy process because of all the chemicals and toxins, but I would think that would be just as much of a problem when tossing it to the bottom of the ocean.) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/4 "2004-05-27T16:47:44Z")
If I understand [this](http://www.cbd-net.com/index.php/search/show/339245) correctly, hazmat remediation was completed on the Oriskany prior to the scheduled sinking. > [@](#): > > EX-ORISKANY (CVA-34), Fixed-Priced Incentive (Successive Target) Contract. Provide management, administration and production services, material, tools, equipment, facilities and the required support to accomplish the towing of the vessel from MARAD?s Ready Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, TX to the awardee?s facility to accomplish the environmental remediation of hazardous materials to support the sinking of the EX-ORISKANY as an artificial reef and return to MARAD?s facility upon completion. Remediation will be done IAW Federal, State and Local environmental, safety and health regulations. Previous surveys conducted on the ship have identified hazardous materials in regulated concentrations such as lead-based paint, solid and liquid PCB?s, asbestos, petroleum-based asphalt on the flight deck and chromate in the ballast water… ---
**Author:** ![Curate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Curate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curate)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/5 "2004-05-27T17:39:03Z")
The news article mentions that one of the benefits which may come from the use of the ship as a reef would be as a tourist attraction. Is it possible to dive on ships used this way? I’m not a diver, but it would seem both exciting and dangerous to do this. Also, considering the terminology used in the story, would we have to refer to it as the “ex-Oriskany” reef? ---
**Author:** ![Kutr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c89c15/32.png) [@Kutr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kutr)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/6 "2004-05-27T18:29:11Z")
[http://www.mbtdivers.com/Oriskany%20Misc.htm](http://www.mbtdivers.com/Oriskany%20Misc.htm) a lot of time and money has been spent for our area to recieve this treasure, and i for one will be in line for a hopefully great dive in the near future ---
**Author:** ![Aagramn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Aagramn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aagramn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/7 "2004-05-27T20:06:24Z")
Seems to be the fashion these days. [HMS Scylla](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3574799.stm) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/8 "2004-05-27T21:12:51Z")
The Oriskany has been decommissioned for almost thirty years, stricken from the Naval Register for fifteen, partially scrapped over the course of two years (1995-1997), and has basically been rotting away in Beaumont, Texas since 1997. I’m glad they finally found a good use for her. It took long enough. [USS Oriskany facts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Oriskany_(CV-34)) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/9 "2004-06-13T16:06:06Z")
Florida has been awarded _Oriskany_. The ship will be sunk in about 210 feet of water, about 20 miles off of Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico. Seems a bit deep for recreational diving, but that’s at the keel. What will the depth of the flight deck and top of the island be? ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/10 "2004-06-13T17:29:28Z")
From the site **Kutr** linked to: > [@](#): > > The Oriskany will be placed on clean white sand bottom approximately 22.5nm SSE of Pensacola Pass (17nm due south of Santa Rosa Island) in 212 feet of water (1.5 nm SE of the Chevron Rig) . The top of the structure is planned to be at 50’, and the flight deck around 110’. Visibility in the area is commonly 60-100’+, with water temps ranging from the mid to high 80’s in the summer to the upper 60’s in the winter. Currents in the area normally range from none to light. 100’ is generally regarded as the max depth for recreational divers, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/11 "2004-06-13T17:49:44Z")
Sinking the Oriskany? Well, that’s one of the strangest euphemisms I’ve heard in awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/12 "2004-06-13T17:50:41Z")
> [@](#): > > 100’ is generally regarded as the max depth for recreational divers, IIRC. I think it’s 130 ft. I doubt I’ll ever get around to diving on her, but it sounds like a nice one. I completely missed **Kutr** ’s link. :o ---
**Author:** ![Kutr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c89c15/32.png) [@Kutr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kutr)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/13 "2004-06-13T23:29:50Z")
Pensacola has a naval air station, so on occasion recieves air carriers, destroyers etc. That is the reasoning behind the area the Oriskany will be placed. 100’ is well within recreational dive limits although will make for a quick dive. But I for one have no problem mulling around at 80’ for the extended bottom time. Besides, tasty Amberjack and Snapper like to hang around at those depths ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/14 "2006-05-24T06:55:02Z")
I did a quick search, first, and found this thread, instead. I know it’s considered poor form to revive a zombie thread, but this does seem to be very much on topic. Yup, the [Oriskany has gone to the depths](http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,97650,00.html?ESRC=navy.nl). She seems to have settled well, and all is in place for the reef to begin growing, and the divers to start diving. Any Dopers who want to share dive pics on the ship would be greatly appreciated. I, too, had thought that 210 feet seemed a bit deep for recreational diving, but had forgotten just how tall a birdfarm really is. Still it would be neat to investigate the screws and shaft bearings. (It would also give me the heebie-jeebies: If some idiot in the enginerooms allowed steam into the turbines it’s a great way to chum a diver or two… The fact that there’s no steam, and the enginerooms are flooded would be a rational reason to keep from panicking. But wouldn’t affect the visceral reaction I’d have to want to get out of there ASAP.) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/15 "2006-05-24T14:03:08Z")
> [@Military.com via Navy Times](#): > > After 25 years of service to the Navy in operations in Korea, Vietnam and the Mediterranean, ex-Oriskany will now benefit Marine life […] Very funny, _Navy Times._ I suggest **Olentzero** send his old man over to give some Personal Counseling to the Journalist 3/c who slipped that in. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/16 "2006-05-24T14:17:26Z")
Just what is the attraction of wreck diving? plus, the Oriskany has been stripped of anything that wreck divers like to take 9clocks, plates, other assorted junk). So, given the great deph and the hazards, will the oriskany become a graveyard for wteck divers 9like the Andre Doria)? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/17 "2006-05-24T14:28:25Z")
**ralph124c** , I can only answer some of your questions. Whether you or I can answer **why** wreck diving is popular or not, the fact does remain that it is. The Andrea Doria is a diver’s graveyard for a number of reasons, but the biggest has to be the fact that she lies in a heavily fished area. The wreck, now, is covered in layers of nets that have caught on protruberances on the wreck, and can act to catch unwary divers. (One reason why the Andrea Doria is an expert-plus level dive, AIUI.) I doubt, strongly, that the Oriskany has been placed in a location where this consideration will apply. And, since the Oriskany is short of souveniers for wreck-looters, I doubt many will want to risk entering the ship - which is the other major hazard of wreck diving, AIUI. Also, as others have pointed out upthread: While the keel is at 210 feet, her superstructure is at the 50 foot level, well within easy diving distance for most recreational divers. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/18 "2006-05-24T15:15:33Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Just what is the attraction of wreck diving? [/QUOTE] I’ll hazard a guess and suggest that it’s similar to the attraction that a greasy-spoon diner at a distant small airport has to a private pilot: It’s someplace to go. A pretext to indulge a hobby. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/19 "2006-05-24T15:23:15Z")
[QUOTE=OtakuLoki] **ralph124c** , I can only answer some of your questions. Whether you or I can answer **why** wreck diving is popular or not, the fact does remain that it is. The Andrea Doria is a diver’s graveyard for a number of reasons, but the biggest has to be the fact that she lies in a heavily fished area. The wreck, now, is covered in layers of nets that have caught on protruberances on the wreck, and can act to catch unwary divers. (One reason why the Andrea Doria is an expert-plus level dive, AIUI.) I doubt, strongly, that the Oriskany has been placed in a location where this consideration will apply. And, since the Oriskany is short of souveniers for wreck-looters, I doubt many will want to risk entering the ship - which is the other major hazard of wreck diving, AIUI. Also, as others have pointed out upthread: While the keel is at 210 feet, her superstructure is at the 50 foot level, well within easy diving distance for most recreational divers. [/QUOTE] I think you are right-I just never understood why somebody will risk their life (and spend a great deal of money) to bring up a cup or dish, or some such junk. I also wonder if the fedral Government is liable somehow-would the ORISKANY be listed as an "attractive nuisance’-in the legal parlance? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333/20 "2006-05-24T15:32:22Z")
Just found [this](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiswango/sets/72057594137861177/) via Google, and thought I’d share, in case other Dopers might like to see a photo set of the actual sinking, and apparantly the inspection dive. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinking-the-oriskany/247333.md?page=2)