Wednesday, May 27, 2009

If everything goes according to plan today, controlled explosives will breach the hull of the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg and cascading seawater will send her down to the depths of Davy Jones' Locker six miles south of Key West. At 523 feet, the ship will become the second-largest artificial reef in the world.

In 1944, the Vandenberg was originally commissioned the Gen. Harry Taylor and traveled the globe as a World War II Army troop transport ship. In 1963 the ship was recommissioned the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg and served as a technologically advanced radar and telemetry missile tracking station for Cape Canaveral manned space flights and enemy missile surveillance in remote seas.

In keeping with ancient maritime custom, we refer to the Vandenberg here in the feminine gender in respect for her rich and unique history, for she gallantly served our country in times of peace and war.

We can only imagine the teary eyes of returning U.S. veterans standing on her decks in the 1940s as they gazed upon homeland shores, the jubilation during a successful launch of our first manned space capsules in the early 1960s or the tension in her control rooms during the Cold War.

Not surprisingly, there will be a few misty eyes today as military veterans and civilian electronic technicians who walked her decks witness her final journey.

They'll be accompanied by a well-earned shout of jubilation from the folks led by Artificial Reefs of the Keys, Reefmakers Inc. and representatives from the city of Key West, whose commitment and perseverance resulted in today's landmark, or more appropriately described as a seamark, event.

We commend everyone who made today possible.

The cost of this effort is exceeding $8.5 million and is funded by financial commitments from Monroe County, the Florida Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, city of Key West, U.S. Maritime Administration, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as industry and private donations. Banks that provided interim operating loans include First State Bank of the Florida Keys, BB&T and Orion.

This event is not without controversy. In the past we objected to the use of taxpayer dollars to sink a ship; others argued that the artificial reef will disrupt the natural underwater habitat.

However, today let's put our differences aside and focus our energies to celebrate our new attraction, the southernmost ship of the Florida Historic Ship Wreck Trail.

Proponents of this artificial reef believe it will take some pressure off our natural reef, create a new fishery habitat, attract tourists and re-energize the dive industry in the Keys. We're optimistic that she'll meet these goals.

We are also pleased to see Vandenberg's scientific heritage will continue, as she becomes an underwater laboratory for educational institutions, including our own Florida Keys Community College. She'll serve as a learning tool for decades to come.

From all measures the Tourist Development Council has met the challenge of spreading the word about the sinking of the Vandenberg. National and international media outlets will be covering the Vandenberg's descent into our azure waters. Documentaries are being filmed. Cameras will be everywhere.

You can view the sinking on the water from a safe distance or live via the Internet at www.sinkthevandenberg.com.

It is interesting to note that the Vandenberg served in a supporting role in the 1999 movie "Virus" -- ironically as a Russian science ship.

Today, as Vandenberg begins her new career, she's the star on center stage.

Lights, camera, action -- Vandenberg, it's time for your close-up.

-- The Citizen