SAN DIEGO — A former warship that was to be sunk this weekend to build an artificial reef reached its undersea destination ahead of schedule when larger-than-expected waves overwhelmed it early Friday.

Swells up to 4 feet tall greeted the 2,890-ton HMSC Yukon soon after it was towed into position for Saturday's intended sinking. It went under at 12:25 a.m. Friday, about two hours after caretakers aboard the ship radioed for help.

No one was injured, but the early sinking put a damper on weekend festivities surrounding the event.

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