The former flagship will be submerged off the Florida Gulf Coast as part of the world's largest artificial reef system. Following extensive remediation work, Okaloosa County moved the sinking operation up to Wednesday to avoid hazardous weather, canceling a public sendoff ceremony in the process. Christened in 1952 as a dual-purpose troopship and luxury ocean liner, the historic vessel had spent roughly three decades docked along the Delaware River in Philadelphia before making its final voyage south.
Key points
The submerged ocean liner will serve the dual purpose of creating marine habitats and act…: The submerged ocean liner will serve the dual purpose of creating marine habitats and acting as a premier regional diving attraction.
County leaders rescheduled the sinking operation to eliminate weather risks while still h…: County leaders rescheduled the sinking operation to eliminate weather risks while still honoring the ship's extensive maritime legacy.
The vessel was built with the capacity to transport thousands of military troops before r…: The vessel was built with the capacity to transport thousands of military troops before retiring to reserve status in 1969.
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SS United States history
The SS United States was christened in 1952 and was once hailed as a symbol of American engineering excellence. The ocean liner was also designed to serve a military purpose, with the capacity to transport thousands of troops during wartime. During its maiden voyage, the ship made history by breaking the transatlantic speed record in both directions, achieving an average speed of 36 knots, or more than 41 mph.ALSO READ: Kiley Pulley Walmart career: How a college dropout went from cashier to store manager, bought a house and earns six figures like CEO John Furner
It completed the Atlantic crossing in just three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, beating the RMS Queen Mary's previous record by 10 hours. More than seven decades later, the SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
She became a reserve ship in 1969, spending her retirement years on Philadelphia's Delaware waterfront. After several different plans for the ship over the years fell through, it was sold last…
Okaloosa County moved the sinking operation up by one day to capitalize on favorable marine and wind conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials acquired the historic vessel to bolster the local marine ecosystem while creating a major destination for anglers and recreational divers. The deployment follows extensive environmental remediation in Alabama to ensure the site is safe for aquatic life.
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