A World II-era Navy subchaser is being removed from the Columbia River near Longview, four years after it sank.
The 110-foot wooden vessel was built in 1942 and later converted into a private boat.
World War II-era Navy subchaser. (The National Archives via KING TV, CNN)
The last owner planned to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. However, the state says a rogue log caused it to sink in 2022.
Now, crews with the Washington Department of Natural Resources are taking it apart and removing it because of oil still on board and possible asbestos and lead.
The work has cost about $600,000 so far.
Since it was originally owned by the federal government, the cleanup qualified for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants.
“All these removals, when it comes to an end like that, and we know it’s going to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, is awesome. It feels good,” Jerry Farmer, a natural resource specialist, said.