The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sending its dive team to look at the remains of a 165′ light ice breaker Coast Guard Cutter Onondaga that is under 25 feet of water near the Ballard Locks.
USCGC Onondaga, photographed during World War II, probably in Pacific Northwest or Alaskan waters.
From the EPA release:
The Team will inspect the vessel for any hazardous materials, batteries, fuel tanks, etc. The Cutter is lying on the bottom of the Lake Washington ship canal, in approximately 25ft. of water, near the Ballard Locks. The survey is being done to support EPA’s “Puget Sound Initiative” to help protect both fish and wildlife habitat and local residents from possible water pollution threats.
The Onondaga was commissioned in 1934 and decommissioned in 1947. It was then sold to Foss Launch and Tug Company in 1954. According to this site, it was then sold to a private owner and was abandoned and later sank.
Wow, that’s crazy! 25 feet doesn’t seem like nearly enough water to hide a boat that big for so long.