The iconic SS United States, once the fastest ship in the world and longer than the Titanic, is set to be sunk off the coast of Destin, Florida, transforming into the world's largest artificial ocean reef. After a long battle with activists who sought to preserve it as a museum, the ship was purchased by a Florida county and will soon become a haven for marine life and an underwater attraction for sea enthusiasts.
Originally docked in Philadelphia, the SS United States made numerous transatlantic crossings, carrying royalty and celebrities from the US to Europe between 1952 and 1969. Notable passengers included future President Bill Clinton, as well as Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and John Kennedy. After being moved to Alabama last year for cleaning and remediation work, the ship made its final journey to Florida this week, where it will be sunk on Wednesday without explosives in a precision operation.
Despite various proposals for the ship to have a second life as a museum or floating hotel, these plans failed. The ship has spent years at different docks with various owners, embroiled in legal battles. The SS United States Conservancy group, led by President Susan Gibbs whose grandfather helped design the ship, fought tirelessly to keep it afloat, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Gibbs expressed her relief that the ship's story would live on, describing it as an "unabashedly American symbol" that brings people together.