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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) -- A troop ship built in 1943 was towed from the James River Reserve Fleet Friday morning.

The Vandenberg is the 56th ship to be removed from the idle fleet floating in the James River off Fort Eustis.

The 520-foot Vandenberg was built in 1943 as the troop ship General Harry S. Taylor.  In 1963, it was refitted as a missile-tracking ship for the U.S. Air Force and given its unusual superstructure and present name.  In 2000, the ship was featured in the Hollywood film "Virus," about a ship possessed by an alien life form. It still carries the Russian lettering and ornate paint scheme given to it for that role.  

US Maritime Administration

Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg

The ship will be towed to Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk for removal of the remaining hazardous materials as it's prepared to be sunk as an artificial reef off Key West, Florida.

The U.S. Maritime Administration, which is in charged of the nation's "ghost fleet" ships, is contributing $1.25 million toward the cost of preparing the ship for reefing.

Local and state agencies in Florida, along with private donations from diving and fishing groups, will cover the expected $5.7 million cleanup, towing and sinking costs.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)