For a mere buck, the Artificial Reef Society of Nova Scotia sold the former navy ship Fraser back to the Department of National Defence, the same low price the society paid more than a decade ago.
The derelict Cold War-era vessel made its journey from Bridgewater, where the boat had sat idle for years, back to Halifax Harbour yesterday. Navy spokesman Cmdr. Mike Considine told Metro she was expected to arrive at her new home between 8 and 9 p.m. last night.
“She’s being towed back to Halifax from La Have River,” he said yesterday afternoon. “She’ll be alongside later this evening at the jetty in Dartmouth.”
He said “the transfer of authority” took place yesterday morning. While some were happy to see the unsightly ship go, others had high hopes for Fraser. The Artificial Reef Society had planned to turn her into a floating museum.
“Despite their best intentions and plans, it had basically fallen into a state of repair that was a bit shabby,” Considine said. “There were complaints.”
National Defence officials initially met with society representatives last December, he said, when both sides decided reversing the transaction was the right thing to do.
Considine said the next decision will be what to do with Fraser, adding there are “a number of disposal options,” including restoring her, sinking her “to create an artificial reef” or even “disposal by dismantling.”
