What happens to an old warship? Some become museums; at least one was sunk.

Which one? The USS Oriskany. How much did it cost to sink it? Only $20 million.

The government, more specifically the Navy, originally estimated the cost of the sinking to be $2.8 million. In the end, it was $20 million.

Of course, the estimate rose to $20 million after another government agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, became involved. So, the ship, once a mighty aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, has now become a $20 million home for fish. It has become the world's largest artificial reef.

Previously, the USS Oriskany had served 800 days online during the Vietnam War, one of five carriers that spent considerable time in combat in that war.

Commander James Stockdale, Ross Perot's running mate in 1992, served on that ship. U.S. Senator John McCain also served on that ship. So for various reasons the ship is one of note.

In typical government fashion, not only was the cost severely under estimated, but the sinking itself was severely over estimated. Engineers had predicted it would take as long as five hours to sink the carrier that is the length of three football fields. Actually, the sinking occurred in only 36 minutes.

Now, the ship rests near Pensacola Pass off the coast of Florida. The USS Oriskany, named for a very bloody Revolutionary War battle, has become a $20 million-plus home for fish.

What of the people who served on her? According to their own descriptions, they have a $20 million sinking feeling of losing the old warship.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.