resurrection from the deep a week ago.

The Corona was sunk in deep water 150 feet off Sallyport in Dockyard at around 2 p.m. after officials decided she was beyond repair.

"She went down fast,'' said a spokesman for Slipper Marine which sank the boat near the old drydock. "It took about 20 to 30 minutes. Her hull was still sound. The only way it went down was we made it go down.'' The old tender had a brief lease on life when she was refloated last week after sinking off Tynes Bay in May. The boat was towed to dockyard where it was determined she was beyond salvage.

Marine & Ports director Mr. Ron Ross said the Ministry did not think commercial diving companies would use the wrecks.

The sinking brings to an end a dramatic life for the 69-foot boat.

Used by divers laying underwater cooling pipes for the Tynes Bay incinerator, she was almost hit by a water spout in a storm in February which also saw her lose her wheelhouse.

Then in May she sank off North Shore in a storm which was reported gusting up to 35 knots. A number of efforts to recover her failed until last weekend, when a crew from Correia Construction in Paget raised her in a two-day operation.

Mr. Dennis Correia said they used a barge with a 40-ton crane, believed to be the only one on the Island. The Corona was carried to Dockyard's North Basin Yachts Slip for repairs.

Mr. Robert Gringley of owners Gringley Construction said he had been open to offers until the boat was rated unsalvageable.

FAMILIAR FEELING -- The Corona -- which was resurfaced just last week after sinking in a storm in May -- goes to meet her maker yesterday.