From CBS News · Skyler Henry · · 1m 10s
SS United States sinks to become world's largest artificial reef
The legendary 1,000-foot ocean liner was scuttled off Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday to create a habitat for marine life and boost tourism.
In brief
The legendary 1,000-foot ocean liner was scuttled off Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday to create a habitat for marine life and boost tourism. The SS United States, a historic ocean liner that set a transatlantic speed record in 1952, was deliberately sunk off Florida's coast on Wednesday to become the world's largest…
Historic liner sinks off Florida
The SS United States, a 1,000-foot ocean liner, was scuttled on Wednesday in a controlled sinking about 20 nautical miles off Florida's Gulf Coast between Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola.
From record-breaker to reef
The ship first set sail in 1952, setting a transatlantic speed record for ocean liners that still stands today.It carried presidents, royalty, celebrities and CBS News broadcaster Walter Cronkite during two decades of military service.
Preparation for new purpose
Okaloosa County purchased the ship from the SS United States Conservancy for about one million dollars in 2024.
Economic boost for the Panhandle
The approximately thirteen million dollar project was funded by county tourist tax revenue.Okaloosa County hopes the ship will attract year-round divers and boost the Florida Panhandle economy.
“I think it's going to be like Disney World. You know, we're going to line people up and take pictures underwater.”
At a glance
The SS United States, a historic ocean liner that set a transatlantic speed record in 1952, was deliberately sunk off Florida's coast on Wednesday to become the world's largest artificial reef.
