Ocean liner to be sunk off Florida coast to create reef, dive site
04.11.2026
An ocean liner that made the world record for the fastest trans-Atlantic passage is set to become a reef and dive site off Florida's western coast.
The SS United States, celebrated for her speed, strength and craftsmanship, was built to be both a luxury liner and potential military vessel.
Now the 300-metre liner is to be sunk in the Gulf of Mexico, some 22 nautical miles south of the town of Destin later this month.
That will create the world's largest man-made reef, according to Okaloosa County officials.
That would be the second record for the steamer, which set a record on its maiden voyage in 1952, crossing the Atlantic in a record three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes from New York to Southampton, England. It travelled at an average speed of just under 66 km/h, or 36 knots, establishing a record which still stands today.
It was taken out of service just 17 years later, in 1969. Plans for its restoration repeatedly foundered due to high costs. Okaloosa County bought the ship in 2024.
Weather permitting, the vessel is to be sunk on November 12. The county is preparing to share further details and a link nearer the time to enable people to watch the deployment via livestream.
The liner will then become a habitat for marine life, attracting divers from all over the world and boosting local tourism. A museum dedicated to the ship is planned on land.
Other vessels around the world have also been sunk deliberately to serve as reefs. Dozens can be found off the coast of Florida alone, including former aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, which has lain on the seabed south of Pensacola since 2006.
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