The historic SS United States made its final voyage Wednesday night, sinking beneath the waters of the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s Panhandle to begin a new chapter as what is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
The nearly 1,000-foot ocean liner was deliberately scuttled approximately 22 miles southwest of Destin, Florida, following a carefully planned operation that took several hours to complete. The vessel will rest in approximately 180 feet of water, creating a massive new underwater destination for divers, anglers and marine life.
Once the fastest ocean liner in the world, the SS United States made its maiden voyage in 1952 and still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger liner. After being retired in 1969, the iconic vessel spent decades docked in Philadelphia before being acquired by Okaloosa County in 2024.
Before the sinking, crews removed hazardous materials and prepared the vessel to safely become an artificial reef. The $13.5 million project is expected to create valuable marine habitat while bringing new opportunities for recreational fishing and diving tourism to Florida’s Emerald Coast.
Although the legendary ocean liner’s days at sea have come to an end, its next chapter beneath the waves is just beginning.