The legendary cruise ship SS United States, once a symbol of American maritime prowess, is set to be intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. Built in the 1950s, the vessel hosted luminaries like John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Walt Disney. It was retired in 1969 and has since been decaying in Philadelphia.
Plans are underway to move the ship to Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach, where it will rest on the seafloor, providing essential habitat for marine life. However, structural issues and towing challenges mean the move could take years.
Okaloosa County purchased the vessel for $10 million in October 2024, aiming to make it a unique underwater attraction in the Gulf of Mexico. While challenges like clearance under Philadelphia's Walt Whitman Bridge remain, the project promises to give the iconic ship a new purpose beneath the waves.
