LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A boat that once served as a hot spot along the Delaware River in Philadelphia will now serve as haven for marine life at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Elizabeth is a century-old ferryboat that is nearly 200-feet long.
"It served between Manhattan and Jersey City for 50 years," said Bill Figley, of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
On Wednesday, nine miles off Cape May, the N.J. DEP sank The Elizabeth, marking the latest addition to the state's extensive artificial ocean reef network.
Many people remember when the boat became the home of a Hooters restaurant along the Delaware River in Philadelphia in the 1990s. A year after the restaurant closed in 2002, the old ferry sank, but it was later raised in order to become part of the reef.
"It's got a good heavy-duty hull and that should really stand the test of time. Fishermen have known that there are a lot more fish on shipwrecks and other underwater structures than there are on the open sandy bottom," Figley said.
Now, The Elizabeth will provide a new habitat for fish and other marine life, serving divers and anglers alike from her watery grave.
"I think that's one of the greatest projects we have going and if they keep it going, that'll be great," said George Campanile, a fisherman.
"It was built in 1901. It'll probably last (until) 2101 at least -- at least 100 years on the sea floor," Figley said.
Before The Elizabeth went down, the boat underwent an intense cleaning to remove any materials that could harm the environment.
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