By — Katie Marlow Katie Marlow Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/watch-live-ss-united-states-once-worlds-fastest-ocean-liner-sinks-to-become-reef-off-florida Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: SS United States, once world's fastest ocean liner, sinks to become reef off Florida Nation Nov 11, 2026 12:54 PM EST The historic ocean liner SS United States will be intentionally sunk Wednesday off the coast of the Florida panhandle. Live coverage of the sinking of the SS United States is expected to start at 1 p.m. EST, with the sinking expected at 2 p.m. EST. Watch live in the video player above. In its heyday, the SS United States crushed the trans-Atlantic speed record, which it still holds. The luxury ocean liner took only three days to cross from New York to Europe on its maiden voyage in 1952. Carrying presidents and Hollywood stars, the nearly 1,000-foot vessel was a technical marvel of its time. However, the rise of air travel and high operating costs sunk its economic viability, and the ship was pulled from service in 1969. The ocean liner sat…
WATCH LIVE: SS United States, once world's fastest ocean liner, sinks to become reef off Florida
In short
The historic ocean liner will become the world's largest artificial reef after being bought by Okaloosa County to resolve docking fee issues at Philadelphia's Pier 82. First launched in 1952, the record-setting vessel transported presidents and celebrities before surging operating costs led to its retirement in 1969. To comply with federal environmental and explosives regulations, crews removed interior tanks and cut hull holes to scuttle the vessel using flooding valves rather than detonations. It will now settle 180 feet underwater, joining more than 500 existing artificial reefs in the county.
Key points
- The SS United States was purchased to serve as the world's largest artificial reef and su…: The SS United States was purchased to serve as the world's largest artificial reef and support the local marine ecosystem.
- Rising expenses and commercial air travel ended the vessel's economic viability, leading…: Rising expenses and commercial air travel ended the vessel's economic viability, leading to its withdrawal from service in 1969.
- The multi-million dollar transformation resolves decades of pier docking disputes while c…: The multi-million dollar transformation resolves decades of pier docking disputes while creating a major regional diving attraction.