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On Monday, July 2, the World War II warship U.S.S. Mohawk CGC was deployed to its final resting place 90 feet under water, roughly 28 nautical miles off of Sanibel Island on Florida’s southwest coast, creating the first Veterans Memorial Reef dedicated to all U.S. veterans. The official name of the reef will be the U.S.S. Mohawk CGC Veterans Memorial Reef.
The 165-foot World War II Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk is the last remaining ship of the Battle of the Atlantic. She launched 14 attacks against submarine contacts between 1942 and 1945. One of her most famous deeds was being the last ship to radio Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower that the weather was clearing for the D-Day invasion.
Pirate Treasure
To help trigger the first dive, celebrity adventurer Pat Croce has hidden artifacts from his St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum aboard the old warship, including an 18th century rum bottle with authentic 17th century shot (nonexplosive projectile) and a hand-drawn treasure map inside. Croce also secreted a case of premium, aged Caribbean Pyrat Rum. The first diver to find the treasures will keep them and claim free passes to the museum in St. Augustine as well as dinner for two at the Key West restaurant.
More About The Mohawk
The Mohawk, or “Mighty Mo,” in full fighting trim, will offer an exceptional diving experience, with the ship’s replica guns, huge smokestack, crow’s nest, bridge, deckhouse and massive propeller. Trained and equipped divers can descend the smokestack into the Mohawk’s enormous engine room where the giant engine’s inner parts and reduction gear will be uncovered. The sinking of the Mohawk is expected to create one of Florida’s premier diving destinations.
The effort to sink the “Mighty Mo” is led by Mike Campbell, Lee County natural resources senior environmental specialist, and Reefmakers, L.L.C. shipwrecker Joe Weatherby, who also sank the USS Vandenberg in 2009. A series of shaped charges will be detonated to sink the warship.
WHEN:
Monday, July 2, 2012
11 a.m. EST
Sinking is expected to take not more than three minutes
WHERE:
Sanibel Island, Fla.
Coordinates: 82°43'42.347"W 26°33'14.64"N
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