AFTER three decades of sitting abandoned in Philadelphia, the once-iconic ocean liner SS United States may finally find its last purpose beneath the waves. An ambitious new plan aims to sink the historic ship off the coast of Florida to create the world’s largest artificial reef. The proposal, still contingent on U.
S. District Court mediation, would see the 1,000-foot ship towed from Philadelphia to Florida's Destin-Fort Walton Beach. There, it would be sunk to provide a new habitat for marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the globe.
The agreement has been negotiated between Okaloosa County, Florida, a local beach, and the SS United States Conservancy, the organization dedicated to preserving the vessel. In a statement, Okaloosa County emphasised the environmental and economic potential of the project, saying: “The sunken ship will be a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world.” But before the SS United States can be submerged, a lengthy cleanup process is required.
The county estimates that it will take over a year to complete environmental remediation on the ship, with an additional six months to a year needed to arrange for its transportation and final deployment. Once considered the fastest cruise liner in the world, the SS United States was originally constructed in the 1950s to move troops during wartime. It later carried dignitaries and celebrities, including John F.
Kennedy and Walt Disney, ac.
