Okaloosa County will sink the SS United States on Thursday, Nov. 12, about 22 nautical miles off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, creating what it calls the world’s largest artificial reef.
The SS United States finally has a date. Okaloosa County will sink the historic ocean liner on Thursday, Nov. 12, about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Cruise Industry News reported Oct. 28.
The sinking starts at 10 a.m. at the site. The county is calling it an assisted sinking, meaning crews will flood the ship on purpose so it goes down in a planned spot. Once it’s down, the county says the 990-foot ship will be the world’s largest artificial reef.
“This will be a historic day for Destin-Fort Walton Beach and for a ship with such a historic story,” county board Chairman Trey Goodwin said.
Here’s CBS Philadelphia’s look at the ship’s final trip:
Can the public watch the SS United States sink?
Sort of. The county will post a livestream link at Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s tourism site, destinfwb.com, according to Cruise Industry News.
AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin is hosting a viewing party from 9 a.m., with the livestream on a big outdoor screen, Must Do Pensacola reported.
Boaters can head out, but safety and security vessels will keep everyone outside restricted areas. No public passenger boats have been announced, and hundreds of private boats are expected.
There’s also a sendoff ceremony the day before, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
Why is the SS United States famous?
It’s the fastest ocean liner ever built. On its maiden voyage in July 1952, it crossed eastbound in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes at an average of 35.59 knots, then set a westbound record on the way home.
Those runs won it the Blue Riband, the old prize for the fastest transatlantic crossing. No passenger liner has topped it since.
The ship carried presidents, movie stars and regular travelers until 1969, when jet travel made ocean crossings a hard sell. It hasn’t sailed under its own power since.
How did the SS United States end up in Florida?
It sat at Pier 82 in Philadelphia for decades, starting in 1996. In 2021, the landlord doubled the rent, from $850 to $1,700 a day, and a legal fight followed.
In June 2024, a federal judge ordered the ship moved by Sept. 12, 2024. Okaloosa County bought it that October for $1 million, per PhillyVoice.
The county’s full budget to buy, move, clean and sink it, plus a museum, is about $10.1 million.
The SS United States Conservancy, which owned the ship before the sale, had spent years trying to turn it into a museum or a waterfront attraction in place. Those plans never came together, and the rent fight forced the issue.
Tugboats towed the ship out of Philadelphia on Feb. 19, 2025. It reached Mobile, Alabama, on March 3, 2025, where crews have been cleaning and preparing it for the reef.
Where will the SS United States reef be?
About 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, in the Gulf. Must Do Pensacola published the coordinates: 30 degrees 07.148 minutes north, 86 degrees 46.755 minutes west.
The county expects the reef to draw divers and anglers from all over. “Her story will continue to be told by thousands of people who visit her,” Goodwin said.
Will there be an SS United States museum?
Yes. The SS United States Conservancy is planning a land-based museum in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. The ship’s funnels and mast were saved for it.
No site or opening date has been announced. For now, the funnels are the closest most people will get to the ship without diving gear.
What does this mean for Florida cruise fans?
The Florida Panhandle gets a one-of-a-kind dive site, and cruise history buffs get a reason to visit. The SS United States was designed by William Francis Gibbs and built partly as a possible troop ship, which is why it was so fast.
It’s a bittersweet ending for a ship that so many people tried to save. But if you’ve ever wanted to see a piece of ocean liner history up close, starting next month you’ll need a scuba certification and a boat.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
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Cruise Industry News (Oct. 28), the sinking date, location and Goodwin quotes
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Must Do Pensacola (Oct. 27), viewing party, boat rules, coordinates and sendoff
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PhillyVoice (2024 and Oct. 12, 2026), the Philadelphia dispute and sale price
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CBS Philadelphia (Oct. 10), video
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