The much loved Texas Clipper will be sunk on this Thursday as part of the ships to reef program. Those from Texas A&M Galveston will remember the 473ft ship as a classroom from 65-94. Those older might remember the ship as the USS Queens, a troop and wounded carrier during WWII. Will try to post pictures as the come available.
This marine “enhancement” program seems more like a convenient way to dispose of garbage. A recent artificial reef project in Florida has now turned into a colossal cleanup nightmare, hope this one isn’t more of the same type of bad idea. What is the “problem” that this reef is supposed to solve? http://blogfishx.blogspot.com/2007/02/colossal-artificial-reef-blunder.html
But… aren’t those metals valuable? What will happen when operating mines will cost more than scavenging those ships?
Wow! That looks like it would be a really fun dive in a few years, after it gets some good growth. The above people who don’t like the idea haven’t been on an artificial reef, I guess. I live in Victoria, BC, and there are quite a few artificial reefs around here that are really popular dive sites. The tires in Florida were not really a good idea, but a great big ship won’t fall apart like that. The ships-to-reef program sounds really interesting, and perhaps I’ll have to plan a little dive vacation there in the next few years.