Amazing Photos from the Sinking of the USS Oriskany

On May 17, 2006, the US Navy sunk the Oriskany, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, was sunk 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, FL. Here are some fantastic high-res photos of the sinking, which apparently took 37 minutes.

Here’s the Wikipedia entry and a website on the Oriskany, which apparently participated in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Lastly, there’s CNN’s coverage:

The aircraft carrier went down stern first, the bow lifting up. The rest of the ship went under in a giant spray of water, the blue ocean churning foamy white as the deck — bright orange with rust — slid under.

Boat horns blews in tribute, and veterans saluted as the big ship many of them called home during Korea and Vietnam disappeared. Some cried.