NEWPORT NEWS  (AP) -- Only 34 ships are remaining in the James River 'ghost fleet.'

The 75th ship departed the reserve fleet on Wednesday from Fort Eustis in Newport News.

Tugboats hauled the Navy fleet oiler Truckee to Bay Bridge Enterprises in Chesapeake.

Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton says the vanishing act of the fleet could continue to the point that it numbers only about 15 ships by the end of next year. There were 107 ships in the fleet in January 2001.

Many of the ships that contained waste oil, lead, asbestos and other toxic materials have left the fleet to be used as scrap metal.

The James River Reserve Fleet is one of three sites kept by the Maritime Administration to support armed forces movements and to respond to national emergencies.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)