In 2002, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary saw the deliberate sinking of a retired US Navy ship in order to create an artificial reef. Artificial reefs are proven methods of helping to restore damaged undersea ecosystems; this one didn't serve that purpose, however, as the scuttling failed to go as planned, and the ship ended up resting upside-down and at an angle that proved dangerous to navigation. Subsequent efforts reduced the danger, but the ship was still not in the intended position -- until now.
Hurricane Dennis, pathing near the Keys, managed to generate sufficient undersea currents to flip the sunken vessel, putting it in the right-side-up position that was the goal in 2002. While the previous position was working fine as a reef, the new orientation will make it more attractive to divers -- who, in turn, help to support the artificial reef program.
Comments (3)
Every cloud...
Posted by Tom Edwards | July 13, 2005 2:08 PM
Posted on July 13, 2005 14:08
Dennis delivered enough energy to flip 6,880 tons of sunken ship. I am impressed.
Specs of the Spiegel Grove here - http://www.indiana.edu/~scuba/spiegel/spiegel.html
Posted by Brian | July 13, 2005 2:25 PM
Posted on July 13, 2005 14:25
That Dennis... What a kidder.
I guess five other giant storms told him to do it.
Posted by JACQUELINE CASCIO | July 13, 2005 11:59 PM
Posted on July 13, 2005 23:59