Carrier USS Forrestal To Make Final Trip, From Philly Navy Yard To Scrap Heap
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A decommissioned US Navy aircraft carrier that's been stationed at the navy yard in South Philadelphia for a little more than two years, is being sold for scrap.
A $200-million price tag was attached to the USS Forrestal when it debuted in 1955. The Navy used the aircraft carrier for 38 years in missions throughout Asia and Europe.
It was retired in 1993, and during that time its value has dropped immensely.
Chris Johnson with the Navy says they are paying All Star Metals a penny -- one cent -- to take the carrier off their hands.
"That company is going to develop a tow plan to remove the ship from Philadelphia, take it down to their facility in Texas, and then scrap it and recycle the metal," Johnson explains.
The Navy tried to find an organization to use the ship as a museum or memorial but didn't get any viable applications.
Johnson says the carrier should be out of the Navy Yard by early next year.
