Authorities in Okaloosa County plan to sink the SS United States during the second week of November as part of the SS United States artificial reef project in the Gulf of Mexico. The deployment is set for a site roughly 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola.
The liner will become the world’s largest artificial reef if the operation proceeds as planned. County officials said the project carries a $10.1 million commitment, with $1 million set aside for an onshore museum that will present the ship’s history.
Okaloosa County funding
Okaloosa County’s funding covers acquisition, transport, cleaning and submerging of the vessel. Pensacola tourism officials added $1.5 million to help secure the final deployment location, and Coastal Conservation Association Florida contributed $500,000 for the same purpose.
The ship is nearly 1,000 feet long, more than 100 feet longer than RMS Titanic. Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, said, "The SS United States has inspired millions the world over as a symbol of American pride and excellence" and added, "Should the ship be converted into an artificial reef, she will become a unique historic attraction above and below the waterline."
Port of Mobile stripping
The vessel arrived at the Port of Mobile in Alabama after a 12-day journey under tow in March. Workers in Mobile have spent months stripping away wiring, glass, plastic and hazardous chemicals before the planned sinking.
The ship’s record gives the project added weight. On its maiden voyage in 1952, it averaged over 41 mph at 36 knots and crossed in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, cutting 10 hours off the record held by RMS Queen Mary.
Pensacola federal court lawsuit
A preservation group, the New York Coalition, filed a lawsuit in Pensacola federal court seeking to block the sinking on historical grounds. Local leaders say reef conversion is the only viable alternative to scrapping the ship, after nearly three decades docked along the Delaware River in Philadelphia and repeated restoration efforts failed.
The deployment window remains subject to sea conditions, so the ship will move only if the Gulf of Mexico allows it. If the window holds, the liner will leave Mobile for the offshore site and end a long dispute over what to do with a vessel that once held the transatlantic speed record for a passenger ship.
