Historic SS United States Sunk to Form World’s Largest Artificial Reef in Gulf of Mexico
The former ocean liner SS United States was deliberately scuttled off the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, creating a new artificial reef intended to attract divers and marine life.
The historic ocean liner SS United States was deliberately sunk on Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico, where it will become the world’s largest artificial reef. The controlled scuttling, carried out by Coleen Marine, took place off the Florida Panhandle and concluded around 10 p.m. EST after a slower-than-expected descent.
"She is an amazing lady who will not lay down without a fight," said Coleen O'Malley, president of Coleen Marine, before the vessel disappeared beneath the water.
Okaloosa County spokesperson Nick Tomecek explained that crews filled 128 fuel and lubricant tanks with water to ensure the ship settled evenly on the seabed, a process that extended the timeline. The ship settled in about 180 feet (55 meters) of water, with its top deck roughly 60 feet (18 meters) below the surface, making it accessible to inexperienced divers.
The $13.5 million project aims to draw divers and sport-fishing enthusiasts while providing habitat for tuna, marlin and swordfish. The vessel will rest about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola, an area already home to more than 500 artificial reefs.
The SS United States, longer than the Titanic and a former speed record holder on its 1952 maiden voyage, had previously hosted notable passengers such as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, and Britain’s former King Edward VIII. After decommissioning in 1969, the ship remained docked in Philadelphia until the recent scuttling plan.
In preparation for the sinking, the 65-foot smokestacks were removed for display in a future museum, and large holes were cut in the decks while over 400 portholes were taken out. Federal environmental and explosives regulations prohibited the use of explosives, so the hull was flooded by opening valves and cutting deck openings.
"She really embodies and expresses this country's best," said Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s designer, praising the effort to preserve parts of the vessel.
The site will join the former USS Oriskany carrier wreck, another major artificial reef in the Gulf, offering divers the possibility of visiting both attractions in a single day.