Former Pride of Newport won’t be scuttled today

The former Pride of Newport, a riverboat replica that has been dismantled and is now merely a barge, won’t be scuttled today because of weather concerns, Newport Harbor Nautical Museum officials said.

The paddle-wheel and upper parts of the boat were dismantled over several weeks beginning in late June after the museum, its owner, was unable to sell it.

Over the years the boat housed the nautical museum, which recently moved to the Balboa Fun Zone, and several restaurants.

But it had well outlived its projected 20-year life span and the Irvine Co. opted to discontinue the museum’s lease on the adjacent parking lot, so officials tried unsuccessfully to sell the boat.

The company scheduled to tow the barge offshore and scuttle it rescheduled the event for next week, museum spokeswoman Lynn Hackman said.

The plan to sink the barge has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Coast Guard.

— Alicia Robinson