The ocean liner SS United States sits deep in the water off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, her hull settling as she is sunk to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
The 990-foot liner, launched in 1952 and still the holder of the transatlantic speed record, was positioned about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach for the deployment. In this footage, recorded as the sinking got under way, her main deck aft is nearly awash and a tug holds station alongside.
Watch the sinking as it happens: live coverage of the SS United States sinking. Background: Historic Liner SS United States to Be Sunk Off Florida as the World’s Largest Artificial Reef.
The SS United States was the fastest ocean liner ever built. Her 1952 maiden voyage crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, a record that still stands. After decades laid up, the ship was acquired for the reef project off Okaloosa County, cleaned and prepared for deployment, and towed out to the site to be sunk as habitat for marine life and a destination for divers.
Video: Associated Press
