From ocean legend to undersea reef: Why has the SS United States been sunk?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the SS United States, a once-celebrated ocean liner, has been deliberately sunk off the coast of Destin, Florida, where it now sits on the Gulf of Mexico seabed as part of an artificial reef. The nearly 1,000-foot ship was scuttled on Wednesday after its hull was hollowed out, and it took roughly five hours to fill with water and settle underwater. The reef project is expected to become a major diving attraction and, according to local officials, support marine habitat and tourism.

Built in 1950-51 and launched in 1952, the vessel was known for its speed and luxury and set a transatlantic record on its maiden voyage that has not been broken by another passenger liner. During 17 years in service, it carried prominent passengers, including several U.S. presidents and major entertainers, before passenger air travel helped bring its commercial career to an end in 1969.

The ship had remained inactive for years while different owners tried to preserve or restore it, but maintenance costs continued to rise. Al Jazeera says Philadelphia dock fees increased sharply in 2021, putting more pressure on the nonprofit involved in its upkeep. Florida’s Okaloosa County bought the ship in 2024 for $1 million with plans to turn it into what officials describe as the world’s largest artificial reef.

The article adds that such projects require extensive preparation to remove hazardous materials before sinking, and notes that ships and other large structures are sometimes used to create reef habitats for marine life.