The USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, as it was known at the time of its sinking as an artificial reef on 27 May, 2009, was originally named the USS Gen. Harry Taylor.
On May 27, 2009, the USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was scuttled to serve as an artificial reef located off the Florida Keys. She is the southernmost ship on the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, submerged about 7 miles offshore between Western Sambo and Sand Key.
One of the great places for diving around the U.S. is the Key West area, and the Vandenberg is one of the highlights. Quite often, decommissioned ships are used to create artificial reefs andndash; and amazing dive sites.
The decommissioned ship, once a venerable part of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, was intentionally sunk in 2009 to create the Florida Keys' largest artificial reef.
