The historic SS United States was deliberately sunk off Florida to become an artificial reef and diving destination. (Foto: Instagram)
The historic ocean liner SS United States was deliberately sunk off Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Gulf of Mexico. At nearly 300 meters long and larger than the Titanic, the ship is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef and a new destination for divers.
The sinking is part of a regional effort to expand artificial reefs along Florida’s coast. Such structures can provide shelter, feeding areas and breeding grounds for marine life. Officials expect fish and other organisms to gradually colonize the ship over the coming years, while visitors drawn to the wreck could support tourism and recreational fishing.
The vessel is expected to rest about 55 meters below the surface near Destin, in northwest Florida. The operation was carried out without explosives and planned to position the ship appropriately on the seafloor. Okaloosa County is overseeing the project, which will add the liner to a network of hundreds of artificial reefs in the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area.
Preparation took several months and included removing fuel, electrical components, contaminants and other materials that could pose environmental risks or obstruct divers. Crews also opened passages through the hull and internal compartments. The work took place at a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
Launched in 1952, the SS United States set a transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage. The record remains unbeaten among ocean liners, according to the article. Designed to combine speed, safety and comfort, the ship carried passengers across the Atlantic for 17 years and became a symbol of 20th-century American naval engineering. As commercial aviation expanded and air travel became more popular, demand for large ocean crossings declined. The liner was retired in 1969.
After leaving commercial service, the ship passed through several owners, and proposals to restore it or turn it into a new attraction did not come to fruition. It remained docked in Philadelphia for decades as preservation and maintenance costs mounted. Okaloosa County acquired it in 2024 for about $1 million, with the plan to convert it into an artificial reef. The ship’s funnels, radar mast and other historic features were preserved for a future museum dedicated to the vessel.
