SS United States begins new life as world's largest artificial reef

A controlled sinking operation began Wednesday for the SS United States, a 990-foot ocean liner that is being transformed into what is expected to be the world's largest artificial reef. The vessel, which completed more than 800 transatlantic crossings in the 1950s and 1960s, is being scuttled approximately 25 miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Okaloosa County purchased the decommissioned ship from a conservancy group for $1 million in 2024, betting that the reef will draw divers and fishing enthusiasts to the area. The ship will join a collection of sunken vessels that already includes World War II ships, tugboats and a casino boat. The total cost of preparing the ship, including cleaning, removing toxins, towing and environmental remediation, was about $13.5 million.

The SS United States made its maiden voyage in 1952 and was once the fastest passenger liner to cross the Atlantic. Among its notable passengers were President John F. Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Salvador Dali. In 1963, it carried Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting on its visit to the United States. Within two decades, the liner was retired due to the rise of air travel and sat docked in Philadelphia for 29 years.

The ship will rest at a depth of 180 feet, with its top decks about 55 feet below the surface, making it accessible to beginner divers. The previous record holder for largest artificial reef was an aircraft carrier sunk off Pensacola, Florida, 20 years ago. Okaloosa County tourism director Jennifer Adams Kemp said repurposing the ship preserves its heritage, calling it "our country's flagship."