Two old vessels have been sunk as artificial reefs off Florida.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that the 590-dwt Lady Philomena (built 1956) and a tug called Everglades were scuttled nine miles off Volusia County.

More than 70 other boats turned out to watch the show.

After holes were cut in the hull, Lady Philomena was pumped full of seawater and began to list and sink after two hours.

It then straightened up perfectly before finally disappearing.

The ships are now lying in about 70 feet of water.

The cargoship was the subject of a drugs bust last March.

Three people were arrested after 47kg of drugs were found on it.

Haitian nationals Jihmy Jean-Pierre, Franz Mompremier and Emanuel Reginald were held after they were spotted trying to unload the narcotics from a cargo hold in buckets.

A search of the ship uncovered six buckets with cocaine in them.