SS United States sinks off Florida’s Gulf Coast, will become world’s largest artificial reef

Updated on: November 11, 2026 / 10:47 PM EST / CBS News

The SS United States, the fabled ocean liner, was scuttled toward the ocean floor on Wednesday in a controlled, explosive-free sinking that took place about 20 nautical miles off the Gulf Coast of Florida between the Destin-Fort Walton Beach region and Pensacola.

The 1,000-foot-long SS United States was sent to the bottom of the ocean in an hourslong sinking operation that began Wednesday afternoon and concluded later in the evening.

The ship will become the world's largest artificial reef, only adding to its long list of maritime achievements. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach metropolitan area says it already has about 580 artificial reefs off its coastline, the most for any region in the country.

The SS United States first set sail in 1952, at the time setting a transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner that still stands today.

It carried thousands of voyagers over its two decades of military service, including presidents, royalty, celebrities and even legendary CBS News broadcaster Walter Cronkite.

Its design was so revolutionary that even the Pentagon kept it a secret.

But by 1969, the SS United States was retired from service, and it…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/