The former ocean liner SS United States, once the fastest ship on the Atlantic, was deliberately sunk off the coast of Destin, Florida, on Wednesday. The 1,000‑foot vessel, launched in 1952, will now rest on the seafloor at a depth of about 180 ft, with its upper decks roughly 55 ft below the surface.
After years of being docked in Philadelphia and facing mounting maintenance costs, the ship was purchased by Okaloosa County in 2024 for $1 million. The county plans to transform the vessel into the world’s largest artificial reef, creating a new habitat for species such as red snapper, grouper, amberjack, mackerel and tuna.
During the sinking, the ship was hollowed out and openings were cut into its hull to allow water to enter and ensure it settled upright. The process began at 2:40 p.m. ET and concluded around 10 p.m., when the ship finally settled on the Gulf of Mexico floor.
“She’s being reefed and will remain intact and will become a vibrant and dynamic marine habitat,” said Susan Gibbs, president and co‑founder of the SS United States Conservancy. “Combined with the land‑based museum and visitor experience, it will honor her history in a deeply moving way.” Gibbs, whose grandfather designed the ship, reflected on the vessel’s legacy and her family’s connection to it.
The new reef is expected to attract divers from around the world, offering a unique underwater destination that honors the ship’s storied past while fostering marine life.
Source: The Guardian World
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