Historic SS United States Sinks Off Florida to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef

On Wednesday, the historic ocean liner SS United States was intentionally sunk off the coast of Destin, Florida, to become the world’s largest artificial reef, as reported by The Guardian.

The nearly 1,000ft vessel was launched in 1952 and set a transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage. It operated for 17 years before retiring in 1969, according to The Guardian. Built in Virginia in 1950 and 1951 by more than 3,000 workers, the ship is longer than the Titanic.

On its first voyage, it carried 1,700 passengers, including an Associated Press reporter and Margaret Truman, the daughter of President Harry Truman. During its sailing lifetime, the ship carried presidents including Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F.

The sinking process began shortly before 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday after the ship was deployed at approximately 2:40 p.m. ET. Workers had hollowed out the vessel and cut openings into its hull to allow water to enter and settle the structure upright on the seafloor, The Guardian reported. The vessel is located about 25 miles southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola.

The liner finally reached the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico around 10 p.m. It now rests at a depth of approximately 180ft, with its upper decks sitting about 55ft below the surface.

Preservation Efforts Fail as Dockage Fees Rise

The ship spent decades docked in Philadelphia as various owners attempted preservation. Port authorities raised the daily dockage fee to $1,700 in 2021, an expense the SS United States Conservancy could no longer afford, according to The Guardian.

Activists unsuccessfully fought for the historic liner to be preserved as a museum, and a land-based museum detailing the ship’s history is planned alongside a visitor experience. Florida’s Okaloosa County subsequently purchased the vessel in 2024 for $1 million to establish the reef project.

Federal environmental and explosives rules prevented the county from using explosives for the scuttling. Instead, crews removed internal tanks and cut large holes into the decks to flood the hull, PBS reported.

The Vessel Joins Artificial Reefs to Create Diving Destinations

The SS United States joins more than 500 artificial reefs located in the waters near where it rests. Launched in 1950, the Oriskany was 911 feet in length and was decommissioned in 1969.

“It was our goal to make sure that she wasn’t lost forever,”
David Lawrence, a member of the board for the SS United States Conservancy”

“We’re trying to be the best diving destination in the world,”
Tomecek”

“She represents pride and resilience and strength and beauty.”
Tomecek”

“I’m just so happy that we are able to save parts of her,”
Susan Gibbs”

“[The ship] has always been this unabashedly American symbol that brings so many people together,” Susan Gibbs told CBS News, as noted by BBC.

Before its sinking, Susan Gibbs said: ““She’s being reefed and will remain intact and will become a vibrant and dynamic marine habitat, so that, combined with the land-based museum and visitor experience, will honor her history in a deeply moving way.” Susan Gibbs”

Gibbs also reflected on her grandfather William Francis Gibbs, who designed the ship:

“His relationship with the ship was, I would say, a full-bore obsession. He would joke that he loved the SS United States a thousand times more than my grandmother. He would see the ship off every time she set sail for Europe, and be one of the first to greet her on her return.”
Susan Gibbs”