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The 30,800 ton Oriskany was started in early 1940s, finally completed in the 1950s, and eventually striken from the mothball fleet in 1980s. It was supposed to be scrapped in mid 1990s when a contractor defaulted. Navy eventually was able to remove enough PCBs and asbestos to make it a tourist site some 200 feet down. Always wondered if this was a solution to a ship that was too toxic.
Meanwhile the French also tried to scrap their 27,000 ton carrier Clemenceau in mid 1990s. First a Spanish company was supposed to disassemble it. But due to toxic waste problems, that contract later fell upon an Indian company. Problems even getting the carrier through Suez Canal eventually brought it back to France. This too might become a reef. But again, first there is this problem with a ship chock full of toxic waste materials. Making 200 foot deep tourist sites is an interesting concept. But can they really be made toxic free - and safe enough for tourists?
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