Navy warship set to become artificial reef off NJ

CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) - A decommissioned Navy destroyer is set to become the longest vessel ever turned into an artificial reef off the East Coast.

The sinking of the 563-foot Arthur W. Radford is planned for early November. The warship was commissioned in 1977 and served in the Persian Gulf War.

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to sink the warship so it sits upright on the sea floor less than 30 miles from Cape May, N.J., and Ocean City, Md.

Officials hope the sunken ship will boost fishing and diving off New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the three states are sharing the $800,000 cost to make it "diver-ready."

The ship is now stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com