ss united states ship: Legendary liner lands upright on Gulf floor, first divers release video
At a glance
- The 990-foot liner was sunk on the night of 11 November in about 180 feet of water off Destin, Florida.
- It went down on its side but is resting upright, divers and county officials confirmed.
- Its 1952 transatlantic speed record for a passenger liner still stands.
The ss united states ship, one of the most famous passenger liners in American history, now rests on the floor of the Gulf off Florida. Deliberately sunk on the night of Wednesday, 11 November, it has settled upright on the seabed, the first divers to reach it have confirmed. Their first video has sent searches for the ship up in Bangladesh too.
What happened
Okaloosa County in Florida bought the ship in 2024 for one purpose: to turn it into the world's largest artificial reef. After a long preparation, it was sunk on 11 November.
- Where: more than 20 miles off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, towards Pensacola.
- How deep: the seabed is about 180 feet (55 metres) down, while the top deck is only about 60 feet below the surface, within reach of beginner divers.
- How: no explosives were used. Crews let seawater flood into the hull.
With bad weather forecast, the operation was brought forward by a day. Even so, the ship stayed afloat for hours longer than expected, and at one point it was seen lying on its side before it finally slipped under.
Upright, and on video
The next morning, Thursday, a weather window opened and the first divers went down. Rustin Cassway, a diver with the research vessel RV Explorer from Cape May, New Jersey, reported that the ship is standing upright on the bottom, and Okaloosa County officials confirmed the same. The dive team's short video was released on 13 November, and the county says the reef is now open to divers.
Preparation and cost
The ship had sat at a pier in Philadelphia for nearly 30 years. After the purchase it was towed to Mobile, Alabama, where crews spent about a year removing materials that could harm the environment, including wiring and fuel. Large openings were cut in the decks and more than 400 portholes were removed so trapped air could escape and the ship would sink upright. The whole project cost more than 13 million dollars.
A preservation group went to court at the last minute to stop the sinking, but a federal judge turned the request down.
The ship at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | About 990 feet, more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic |
| Maiden voyage | 1952, with about 1,700 passengers |
| Record | 1952 transatlantic speed record for a liner, still unbroken |
| Crossings | More than 800 across the Atlantic |
| Retired | 1969 |
Several US presidents and celebrities including actress Grace Kelly travelled on the ship.
What next
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach area already has about 580 artificial reefs. Officials hope the SS United States will make it a year-round diving destination and a home for fish such as tuna and marlin. The first divers also expect the wreck to draw divers from around the world.
Sources
This report combines details from CBS News, 6abc Philadelphia, the Pensacola News Journal, FOX 5, ABC7 and Popular Science. Links are listed below.
FAQ
Where was the ss united states ship sunk?
In the Gulf more than 20 miles off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area of Florida, in roughly 180 feet of water. Its top deck sits about 60 feet below the surface.
Why was the ship sunk?
Okaloosa County, Florida, bought the ship to turn it into an artificial reef that gives fish and marine life a habitat and draws divers and anglers to the area.
Were explosives used?
No. Crews opened the ship to let seawater flood the hull in a controlled sinking. Large openings had been cut in the decks and more than 400 portholes removed beforehand.
Why is the SS United States famous?
On its 1952 maiden voyage it crossed the Atlantic faster than any passenger liner before or since. Before retiring in 1969 it carried several US presidents and stars such as Grace Kelly.
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