Originally named USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145), the USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10) was a transport ship in the United States Navy during World War II. It belonged to the General G. O. Squier-class and was named in honor of U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Harry Taylor. After serving as the army transport USAT General Harry Taylor, it was reacquired by the navy in 1950 and renamed USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145).
Following its placement in reserve in 1958, the ship was transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and renamed USAFS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 1963 to honor the former Air Force Chief of Staff. It was reacquired by the U.S. Navy in 1964 and renamed USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10).
Retired in 1983 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1993, the ship was intended to be sunk as an artificial reef in the spring of 2008. However, it was instead placed under Federal Lien and auctioned off for payment recovery in December 2008 at Norfolk Federal Court. A group of banks and financiers from Key West purchased the vessel, which was then docked at the East Quay Pier of Key West Harbor. On May 27th, 2009, the ship was sunk and now serves as the world's second-largest artificial reef after the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany.
USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg has a Gross Tonnage (Volume) of 17,120 tons and measures 522 feet 10 inches in length, 71.5 feet in beam, and 24 feet in draft. After being sunk, it stands at a height of 100 feet from keel to the highest point, with its stacks, masts, and antennas trimmed to provide 40 feet of clearance from the surface at its depth of 140 feet. Most of the superstructure should be located 40 to 50 feet below the surface.
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