'Ghost Fleet' Ships to Set Sail for England
by Press Association News
6 October 2003 – Two 1945 US ships belonging to the "Ghost Fleet" are scheduled to begin a long journey today that will end with at a scrapyard in England.
The Canisteo and the Caloosahatchee, which worked together in the Atlantic Fleet before joining about 100 other rusty hulks anchored off Fort Eustis, Virginia are two of four ships deemed seaworthy for the 4,500-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
They are expected to leave two hours apart beginning at around 7am local time
Last week, a federal judge blocked the government from moving nine of 13 ships slated to be taken to Teesside and scrapped, saying the US Maritime Administration had not done environmental studies as required by law.
The ships are viewed by many as potential environmental catastrophes because they contain tons of toxic chemicals and fuel.
The 553ft-long Canisteo had a crew of approximately 211 men and 13 officers. It could carry more than four million gallons of standard fuel oil and 715,000 gallons of jet fuel. It also carried mail to other vessels.
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