In 1966 the 'USAS American Mariner' was scuttled in the middle of the Chesapeake about halfway between Point Lookout and Smith Island. The retired missile tracking vessel was destined to be a target for training naval pilots in her retirement. In the late 60's, while the boat was still in good condition, intrepid Islanders who made the trip out to the ship claimed that the tables in the dining hall were still set with dinnerware. For a few years, some of the islands watermen worked on the weekends - collecting and selling copper and other scrap metal from the ship.

Decades of weapon testing by pilots flying out of Patuxent Naval Air Station took its toll on the ship. The hull continues to rust and deteriorate into the bay.