H2O Below - USS ORISKANY

The USS Oriskany, affectionately referred to as "The Mighty O", was a U.S. Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier named for the Revolutionary War Battle of the same name. During the VietNam War, the Oriskany launched more sorties and flew more missions than any other US Navy Carrier.

AUTHORIZED: 07 AUG 1942
LAID DOWN: 01 MAY 1944
LAUNCHED: 13 OCT 1945
COMMISSIONED: 25 SEP 1950
RECLASSIFIED: CV to CVA on 01 OCT 1952
DISPLACEMENT: Max 47,000 Tons
LENGTH: 911 feet overall
BEAM: 157 feet overall
DRAFT: 30 feet 6 inches maximum
PROPULSION: 8 boilers, 4 engines
POWER: 150,000 horsepower
SPEED: 33 knots Max
COMPLEMENT: 3,460
AIRCRAFT: 80-100
ARMAMENT: 8 five inch guns and 14 three inch guns
ACTIVE SERVICE: 8,784 days
DECOMMISSIONED: 30 SEP 1975
REEFED: 17 MAY 2006

USS ORISKANY Dive Charter Pensacola Florida

On May 17, 2006, the USS Oriskany became the largest ship intentionally sunk as an artificial reef. The USS Oriskany was sank 24 miles Southeast of Pensacola, Florida, the cradle of Naval Aviation. Engineers expected the sinking to take anywhere from five to eight hours, the Oriskany surprised all in attendance when she sank in only 37 minutes.

H2O Below ORISKANY Charters

Divers soon confirmed that the 32,000 ton Oriskany had come to rest upright in a north-south orientation in 212 feet of water. This left he tower at around 70ft and the flight deck at 135ft. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms have cause the ship to list a few degrees, which now puts her tower at 84ft and her flight deck at 146ft

Approximate Oriskany Depths

Oriskany Photo Gallery 1

Oriskany Photo Gallery 2

Oriskany Videos

LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION ON THE USS ORISKANY

Oriskany Museum and USS Oriskany Reunion Association

NavSource Online: USS ORISKANY (CV-34 and CVA-34)

Naval History and Heritage Command

Current Weather near the Oriskany

MBT Divers - Pensacola

MBT Divers offers an exclusive USS Oriskany Diver course that provides an excellent historical background of the ship and provides divers with a guide to identifying parts of the ship and potential hazards.