# 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.
- Title: SS United States sinks to become world's largest artificial…
- Summary: 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.
- Keywords: ss united states, artificial reef, okaloosa county, florida gulf coast, ocean liner, marine habitat, destin-fort walton beach, CBS News
- Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/news/ss-united-states-sinking-ocean-floor-largest-artificial-reef-world-florida-gulf-coast
- Author: Skyler  Henry
- Published: 2026-11-12T03:47:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ss united states, artificial reef, okaloosa county, florida gulf coast, ocean liner, marine habitat, destin-fort walton beach, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.