Decaying Military Ghost Ships Off The Coast of San Francisco - Madison Escano

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/go-aboard-a-fleet-of-military-ghost-ships-decaying-off-the-coast-of-san-francisco/ar-BB98KoB

Since 1946, the United States' government has maintained several fleets of ships that have been designated for emergency use. These ships reside off the coasts of California, Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Jersey. The ships have been utilized in the World Wars, the Korean War, and Desert Storm, as well has been used as civilian merchant ships in previous years. Years of wear and tear have caused the fleets to begin to rust and to leave toxic chemicals in ocean waters. As a result, the Maritime Administration has suggested that these ships be scrapped before they do any more damage. Boarding the ships is prohibited, however, photographer Amy Heiden was able to snap a few photographs before the ships were dismantled, some of which can be found in the link above. 

I feel like the ships are still salvageable. The government could opt to take the ships out of the water and move them into museums or exhibitions that will benefit the general public. The fleets (well some of them, anyway) tell important stories in this country's, as well as a few others', history. We have so much that we can learn and obtain from these ships, and scrapping them isn't going to show their true import. We are often so restricted by lack of evidence and documents that it inhibits our understanding of history. Why not use something that was actually used to tell a story?