SS United States Sinks Upright, Creating World’s Largest Artificial Reef
The Pensacola News Journal reported that the historic SS United States sank upright off Florida’s Gulf Coast, forming the world’s largest artificial reef. CNN had said the liner would be deliberately scuttled off the Florida panhandle to create the state’s largest artificial reef, offering new habitat for marine life and a dive attraction. Later, 6abc Philadelphia noted that legal challenges to the plan were rejected and that museum preservation proposals had failed.
The BBC reported that after museum plans fell through, the ship was sunk off Destin, Florida. USA Today described that the vessel was deliberately flooded and sunk, creating the deepest artificial reef and a new destination for recreational and technical scuba divers. NPR added that the reef is expected to boost tourism and benefit marine life.
