(DESTIN, Fla.) — The SS United States, once the fastest passenger ship in the world, was deliberately sunk in the Gulf of Mexico on Nov. 11, 2026, to become the world's largest artificial reef.
The 990-foot ship was sunk about 22 nautical miles off Destin, Florida. It now rests approximately 180 feet below the water's surface.
Okaloosa County purchased the ship in 2024 and moved it to Mobile, Alabama, to prepare it for sinking. Workers spent months removing fuel, oil, and other potentially harmful materials to protect the marine environment.
The sinking was originally planned for Nov. 12 but was moved up one day because of weather concerns. The process took longer than expected as crews worked to lower the ship into the water. (SS United States Set for Final Voyage Ahead of Historic Sinking Off Florida)
Photo Credit: Facebook/ Art Depiction of the SS United States CIRCA 1955
A Ship With a Long History
Built in 1951 and launched in 1952, the SS United States was designed by William Francis Gibbs.
During its first voyage in 1952, the ship set a record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It carried celebrities, immigrants, and other passengers between the United States and Europe.
As air travel became more popular, fewer people traveled by ship. The SS United States stopped carrying passengers in 1969.
The ship later sat docked in Philadelphia for nearly 30 years. Several groups tried to save and restore it, but the cost was too high.
A New Home for Marine Life
The ship will now serve a different purpose. (Sinking date set for luxury liner with secret military past | Stars and Stripes)
Its steel structure is expected to attract fish and other marine animals. Over time, marine organisms will grow on the ship, helping create an underwater habitat.
The artificial reef will also provide a new location for divers and fishing enthusiasts visiting Florida's Gulf Coast.
Researchers plan to monitor the ship to see how marine life develops around it.
Keeping Its History Alive
Before the sinking, parts of the ship, including its large funnels, were removed for preservation. These pieces are planned for display at a museum in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.
Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, has worked to preserve the ship's history. Her grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the vessel more than 70 years ago.
The SS United States spent years carrying passengers across the Atlantic. Now, it will remain beneath the Gulf of Mexico, providing a home for marine life and a new destination for divers.
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