Google says it sold barge in Maine; it's headed out to sea, containers to be scrapped

Google Inc. is confirming that the so-called "Google barge" it docked in Maine has been sold.

The barge carries dozens of old shipping containers that were joined to create a four-story building. Google envisioned it as one of three floating retail stores.

The Portland Press Herald says an international company is buying the barge and taking it on an ocean voyage. Portland Harbor's deputy harbor master says the containers will be disassembled and scrapped.

The barge first docked in Portland Harbor in October and moved to South Portland Wednesday. A Portland city spokeswoman says the city received $400,000 in state reimbursements while it docked there.

Google initially had little to say about the barges, leading to speculation about its intentions. It later revealed they were to be stores. One is moored in Stockton, California.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com