A transatlantic liner is sunk off Florida to create the world's largest artificial reef

MIAMI. A US ocean liner longer than the Titanic, which completed over 800 voyages in the 1950s and 1960s, began sinking this Wednesday off the coast of Florida to become the "world's largest artificial reef" and a tourist destination. The hull of the SS United States, over 300 meters long—about 30 meters longer than the Titanic—was filled with water to progressively sink into the Gulf of Mexico, 40 kilometers from Destin, on the northwest coast of Florida. To sink the gigantic vessel without using explosives, the valves used to feed its refrigeration system were opened, over 400 portholes on the hull were removed, and large hatches were opened on its decks. Several boats gather near the SS United States; in the background, at the start of the sinking operation off the Florida coast, Gerald Herbert - APEste project, valued at about $13.5 million, seeks to attract divers and fishing enthusiasts to this artificial reef, announced as the largest in the world, which will create a habitat for marine life. The imposing transatlantic liner transported numerous celebrities aboard, including John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Salvador Dalí, and even Walt Disney. Former President Bill Clinton also traveled on it during his youth to study at Oxford University. The SS United States' first Atlantic crossing was in 1952, and its last was in 1969. Now, the colossal ship must rest on the seabed at a depth of 55 meters, with its highest point at 18 meters above the surface. Until now, the largest artificial reef was an old aircraft carrier sunk 20 years ago off the coast of Pensacola, also in Florida. Before its underwater recycling, the SS United States spent more than a quarter of a century in a Philadelphia dock on the East Coast of the United States. The final moments of the SS United States before its definitive farewell at the bottom of the sea, Gerald Herbert - APEn in its heyday, the SS United States was fast, luxurious, and practically indestructible. As its designer, William Francis Gibbs, used to say: "It cannot be set on fire, it cannot be sunk, and no one can reach it." And he was right, to a certain extent. It turned out to be a very difficult ship to sink. In fact, years of planning and preparation were required to reach this moment. And also some struggle: a group dedicated to preservation filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the initiative, although a judge dismissed it. Masterpiece Gibbs was a prominent figure in 20th-century naval architecture, and the SS United States was his masterpiece. Built during the post-World War II boom years, it was an ocean liner so fast that its top speed became a state secret during the Cold War. On its first round-trip transatlantic voyage in July 1952, it set a speed record that still stands. For much of the 1950s and 1960s, the SS United States transported passengers between New York and Europe; its onboard orchestras and cocktail lounges enhanced the journey for countless passengers. A photographer captures the sinking process of the SS United States, Gerald Herbert - APS However, its most famous passenger was probably the Mona Lisa, which traveled aboard in 1963 for a visit to the United States. Nevertheless, as air travel turned ocean liners into relics, the number of passengers decreased. In 1969, the ship was retired from service and put into reserve. Until recently, it had remained motionless in its Philadelphia dock. For the ship to become a reef, its dark and labyrinthine interiors had to be conditioned to ensure the safety of divers. Furthermore, its enormous fuel tanks had to be emptied, eliminating residues accumulated over decades. To achieve this, the ship had to be towed across much of the country—to a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama—by a specialized tug. But first, it was necessary to convince the Coast Guard that the ship—whose length is equivalent to the height of the Chrysler Building—could be moved safely. The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic and lived forever in legend, Library of Congress. The effort to convert it into an artificial reef was led by Alex Fogg, head of natural resources for Okaloosa County, Florida, who acquired the ship in 2024 for one million dollars. The county is gathering a collection of sunken ships for divers to explore off the coast of Destin, in the region known as the Florida Panhandle. Okaloosa County bought the ship from a non-profit organization, the SS United States Conservancy, which had spent years trying to give it a new life as a hotel, entertainment complex, or another type of project. However, the ship's fate was sealed in 2024 when it was evicted from a dock in Philadelphia by the facility owner. Sinking ships is a business, one that Coleen O’Malley knows well. Along with her husband, Tim Mullane, she directs Coleen Marine, which, according to her calculations, has intentionally sunk—or "converted into reefs"—about 140 vessels. The SS United States was one of its best-known clients. One of many ships lying in the warm waters of the Caribbean: the Antilla, located off the coast of Aruba, Alejandro Dutto / Ig @alejandrodutto It was necessary to open strategic passages throughout the ship so that divers could easily identify the routes to the open sea and not get trapped. This also benefits marine life by preventing water stagnation. Another fundamental aspect is ensuring that, after sinking, the ship rests vertically on the seabed. If it were to fall on its side or capsize, it could become unstable and pose a danger to divers. The secret lies in ensuring that no large pockets of air remain inside. AFP Agency and The New York Times