The fate of the most popular ocean liner built in the United States, the SS United States, has finally been decided — decades after it was pulled out of service. The vessel will now be converted into the world’s largest artificial reef. 

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners in Florida approved the purchase of the renowned ocean liner the SS United States for $1 million on October 1, bringing the vessel a step closer to becoming the largest artificial reef in the world. According to reports, the acquisition will occur soon.

The sale of the ship comes after decades of efforts to save the ship from sinking or being scrapped. The SS United States was retired in 1969. The vessel, which symbolizes the legacy of US ocean liners, has been sold numerous times to preserve it.

The ship has been owned by a non-profit organization, the SS United States Conservancy, since 2011. The organization, on its part, spent years exploring the potential utility of the ship.

SS United States was berthed at a pier in Philadelphia. However, when the ship was requested to leave the pier, the organization determined that reefing the ship was preferable to scrapping it. Now, the iconic ship will be sunk off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. However, the exact location of its sinking remains unknown at this point.

Alex Fogg, the Natural Resources Chief for Okaloosa Country, told the board in his presentation, “The Conservancy explored several other options before coming to the artificial reef decision.” He had earlier stated plans to use the ship to attract tourists and divers to the area near Destin, or Fort Walton Beach, in Florida’s panhandle region.

Fogg further emphasized, “They (SS United States Conservancy) looked at making this potentially a pier-side entertainment center, apartments, restaurants, and a bunch of different options. The costs were very, very expensive and they weren’t able to find an investor that would follow through with that option.”

The board authorized a $10.1 million budget for the 1,000-foot-long vessel’s purchase, repair, transportation, and deployment. $1 million has also been set aside for the initiative to support the establishment of a land-based museum dedicated to the renowned ship.

The plan stipulates that the SS United States will be towed to Norfolk, Virginia, for refitting. This would include emptying the fuel tanks, cleaning the tanks, scraping paint and loose debris, and getting rid of PCBs, flooring, windows, portholes, and other impurities.

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Fogg described plans to remove the ship’s funnels before deployment to allow easy access: the top deck at a depth would be accessible to novice and beginner divers while the technical divers would be able to explore the lower area. Since the funnels give the ship its distinctive look, they will eventually be displayed at the upcoming museum.

According to Fogg, the reef would be located 20-21 miles offshore at a depth of 180 feet, with a 60-foot upper deck, making it reachable by divers of all experience levels.

The county argues that the reefing project will generate an estimated $3 million in economic benefits every year. However, those who have long supported the ship see it as a tragic ending to one of the most iconic representations of American technology and the symbol of the Atlantic transit era. The county referred to the ship as the “pinnacle of American post-war maritime engineering.”

It is believed that once the SS United States is sunk to become a reef, it will surpass the USS Oriskany to become the largest artificial reef in the world. The USS Oriskany (CVA-34), nicknamed the Mighty O, is the first naval warship and largest artificial reef ever to be intentionally sunk in US coastal waters.

What Do We Know About the SS United States?

The SS United States is a decommissioned ocean liner built between 1950 and 1951 for United States Lines. Since its inaugural trip in 1952, it has maintained the title of the largest ocean liner built in the United States and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic in either direction. It also wears the Blue Riband for the highest average speed.

The ship never ran at maximum speed in its service career, not even on its historic inaugural voyage. The US government provided significant funding for its construction, guaranteeing that it could swiftly be modified to transport 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without requiring refueling.

American naval architect William Francis Gibbs designed the vessel, which the Navy could use for transporting troops in the event of a military contingency. The innovations incorporated in its design included damage management, hull form, fire safety, and steam propulsion.

In its lifetime, from 1952 to 1969, the ship was used by several celebrities, making it an iconic symbol for the country. The ship was only in commercial operation for 17 years, during which time it primarily made Atlantic crossings.

The ship was losing money as competition from airplanes increased and it lost a contract with the United States to transport diplomats and military families.

As the United States Lines saw a financial decline, the ship was abruptly withdrawn from service in 1969. Since the 1970s, the ship has changed hands several times, with each new owner making unsuccessful attempts to profit from the liner. The ship was eventually stripped in 1994 after its fittings were sold at an auction. It was towed to Philadelphia two years later before being asked to vacate the pier due to a rent dispute.

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