Historic SS United States to Become Largest Artificial Reef off Florida

The former SS United States, a 990-foot American ocean liner, is scheduled to be scuttled about 25 miles off the Florida panhandle this month. Explosives will create openings in the hull, allowing the vessel to settle on the seabed at roughly 180 feet depth, making it the 21st and largest wreck on the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail that stretches from Pensacola to Port St. Joe.

The trail, established in 2012 to promote tourism after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, already hosts wrecks dating back to 1942 and attracts both marine life and scuba divers. The SS United States Conservancy, which manages the ship’s preservation, plans to develop a nearby museum displaying artifacts and the vessel’s two removed funnels.

Built in the early 1950s, the liner measured 990 feet—longer than the Titanic—and reached a top speed of 44 mph during sea trials. Designed for rapid conversion to a troop transport, it could carry up to 14,000 soldiers. Its maiden Atlantic crossing in 1952 set a record of three days and 11 hours, a benchmark that still stands.

After retirement in 1969, the ship remained in various ports before Okaloosa County, Florida, purchased it for $1 million in 2024 to avoid scrapping. The vessel was towed from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, where hazardous materials were removed and most interior fittings were stripped. According to the conservancy, the hull retains about 90 % of its original structural integrity.

Marine scientists expect the wreck to quickly attract fish, algae and corals. "Fishes will start congregating around a new artificial reef within hours or days," said Michael Parsons, professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University. Researchers note that artificial reefs can serve as nurseries and refuges for various species.

Economically, Okaloosa County views the project as a boost for local tourism. "Artificial reefs can support recreational fishing, charter operations, dive charters, boat and fuel sales, as well as hotels, lodging, and restaurants," said Chris Stallings, professor of biological oceanography at the University of South Florida.

If the ship settles upright, its upper deck will lie 55 to 60 feet below the surface, allowing access for divers with open-water certification. The wreck will surpass the former USS Oriskany by nearly 80 feet, becoming the deepest and largest artificial reef on the trail.