Officials carried out the $13.5 million operation roughly 25 miles off the Florida coast, placing the top deck 60 feet below the surface. Because federal regulations barred the use of explosives, crews cut large deck openings, took out over 400 portholes, and flooded 128 tanks to achieve an even settlement. The vessel originally entered service in 1952 and completed more than 800 transatlantic voyages before being decommissioned in 1969. While the hull now rests on the seabed, its two 65-foot smokestacks were preserved on land for a dedicated museum.
Key points
The controlled $13.5 million operation successfully transformed a decommissioned mid-cent…: The controlled $13.5 million operation successfully transformed a decommissioned mid-century ocean liner into a massive marine sanctuary.
Scrapping was prevented by giving the former transatlantic record holder a permanent ecol…: Scrapping was prevented by giving the former transatlantic record holder a permanent ecological purpose in deep water.
Portions of the historic vessel, specifically its two 65-foot smokestacks, were preserved…: Portions of the historic vessel, specifically its two 65-foot smokestacks, were preserved ashore to anchor a dedicated museum.
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A historic US ocean liner, once the fastest passenger ship in the world, was deliberately sunk in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday to create what is expected to become the world's largest artificial reef.
The 990-foot SS United States, which is 108 feet longer than the Titanic, was taken underwater in a controlled operation off the coast of Florida. The $13.5 million project is aimed at turning the former luxury liner into a major destination for divers and fishing enthusiasts, while creating a marine habitat for species such as tuna, marlin and swordfish.
The sinking took longer than expected, with much of the ship still visible above the water hours after the operation began. The vessel finally leaned to one side and submerged at around 9 pm local time.
“She is an amazing lady who will not lay down without a fight,” Coleen O’Malley, president of Coleen Marine, the company overseeing the sinking, said before the ship disappeared beneath the surface, as quoted by Associated Press. “Much like the amazing nation she was named after.”
Security concerns led French gendarmerie forces to halt operations at the Calais-Fréthun station on Thursday morning, disrupting key cross-border links. The stoppage impacted high-speed passenger routes connecting London and Paris before authorities cleared the facility. This disruption aligns with a broader pattern of recent threats targeting critical infrastructure across Europe.
Legal proceedings have recorded an admission of guilt from the individual involved in a maritime offense. Authorities have confirmed the perpetrator's formal acceptance of responsibility for targeting the vessel. Complete specifics surrounding the circumstances, motivations, and total impact of the event remain withheld from the public record.
The English club parted ways with Michael Carrick following a dismal domestic run that yielded only eight points from 10 league matches. The decision came directly after a high-scoring 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at home. The club now faces a critical managerial reset to avoid a prolonged relegation battle.