Final Phase to Begin in Sinking of Retired Navy Ship

From: WASP188@aol.com 
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 7:08 AM
 Subject: Update on SPIEGEL GROVE

http://www.fla-keys.com/spiegelgrove/
 

 This is the latest AP story that you may wish to distribute to your list.

(Andy Newman is with the  Florida Keys & Key West tourism council)

Subj: Re: (no subject)
Date: 6/9/2002 8:04:51 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: AndyNewman
To: WASP188


Jun 8, 2002

Final Phase to Begin in Sinking of Retired Navy Ship

The Associated Press

    KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) - The final phase of a two-week project to finish sinking a 510-foot retired Navy ship could begin as early as Sunday, when two tugboats arrive to assist in the effort to roll the ship.

    The Spiegel Grove sank prematurely May 17 in about 130 feet of water, its stern on the bottom but its bow protruding above the sea six miles off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

    Resolve Marine Group President Joe Farrell said Saturday that his crews have completed final preparations and are awaiting the tugboats.    

    The tugboats, providing 110 tons of pull, would be tethered to the Spiegel Grove to help induce the rotation.

    Farrell said 70 inflatable lift bags would be strategically attached to points on the port side of the vessel that will provide about 500 tons of buoyancy.

    Farrell's plan is to roll the ship on the ocean floor, and hopefully upright, so it sinks as originally intended. He said it is impossible to tell when the job would be completed.

    "There's no up-button we can push," said Farrell, whose firm is under contract with the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce to complete the project. "It's a process with many variables and it's impossible to predict exactly when the ship will roll."

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On the Net:
http://www.fla-keys.com/spiegelgrove 

AP-ES-06-08-02 1438EDT

Submitted,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(Ret)