Legendary Liner SS United States to Be Sunk off Florida in November as World's Largest Artificial Reef
The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida, has announced that the legendary ocean liner SS United States will be sunk in the second week of November in the Gulf of Mexico, about 22 nautical miles (41 km) southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, to become the world's largest artificial reef. The county said the exact sinking date depends on the weather and has not been finalized.
In an October 9 statement, the board said it is working with safety and security partners for a safe and efficient deployment. "This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry," the statement said. According to the Associated Press, the region already has more than 500 artificial reefs, and the project is expected to generate millions of dollars a year for local businesses including dive shops, fishing charters and hotels.
The nearly 1,000-foot (302-meter) ship was launched in 1951. On her maiden voyage in July 1952 she crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, beating the record set by Britain's RMS Queen Mary 14 years earlier and winning the Blue Riband — a transatlantic record for an ocean liner that still stands. Designed to serve as a luxury liner that could be converted to a military transport if needed, she was retired in 1969 as air travel rose and operating costs overran income.
After decades laid up, the ship spent almost three decades moored at Pier 82 in Philadelphia from 1996, slowly deteriorating, while redevelopment plans fell through over cost. Okaloosa County bought the vessel for $1 million in October 2024. On February 19, 2025, she left Philadelphia and was towed about 1,800 miles to Mobile, Alabama, for preparation, including removal of hazardous materials, sealing areas unsafe for divers, and cleaning all 128 fuel and lubricant tanks.
The SS United States Conservancy says remediation work is complete, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued final approval for the deployment, and the Environmental Protection Agency did not oppose it. No explosives will be used: the ship will be sunk by controlled flooding and is expected to settle upright at about 180 feet, with her top deck about 55 feet below the surface. The reefing is planned to be live-streamed, with a Coast Guard security perimeter around the site.
Nearby rests the 911-foot USS Oriskany reef; once the SS United States is down, she will become the world's largest artificial reef and Oriskany the second largest. The Conservancy is also planning a land-based museum near the departure points for dive tours, displaying the ship's six-story funnels, radar mast and other salvaged components, artwork and artifacts.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 2025年2月「美国号」在拖船护送下离开 Philadelphia 码头的资料图；WSRower 摄，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons
