New

We Sank The World’s Fastest Ocean Liner, On Purpose

BrianEKushner/Getty Images

Instead of sleeping with the fishes, a long-retired supership is giving fish a place to sleep. Florida officials sank the historic SS United States to the bottom of the Gulf yesterday to create the world’s largest artificial reef, after the 990-foot craft sat idle for decades.

The SS US launched in 1952 and completed the fastest-ever eastbound transatlantic crossing on its maiden journey. (The record still stands.) The ship is over 100 feet longer than the Titanic. Before its decommissioning in 1969, its 800+ voyages offered a who’s who of the era of smoking indoors: Passengers included JFK, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Duke Ellington, and even Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” painting.

Now, a bunch of tuna, marlin, and swordfish are supposed to move in:

Florida’s Okaloosa County bought the ship for $10.1 million in 2024 as part of a $13.5 million tourism project—officials figure that if they improve the area’s marine habitats, it’ll attract more divers and fishers.
“We’re trying to be the best diving destination in the world,” county spokesperson Nick Tomecek said, noting there are ~500 other artificial reefs near the SS US’s resting place.

Anchors away: The plunge comes after some historical and preservation groups made several failed attempts to halt the ship’s final descent, despite broad support for the sinking.—ML

Become smarter in just 5 minutes. Subscribe to Morning Brew today.

Back to Listing

credit:

We Sank The World’s Fastest Ocean Liner, On Purpose

Popular Products