The SS United States is scheduled to be sunk on November 12, 2026, to become the world’s largest artificial reef, situated approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin, Florida.
The 990-foot vessel, which has held the transatlantic speed record since its 1952 maiden voyage, will settle at a depth of about 175 feet.
The SS United States served as a luxury liner and troopship
Once a symbol of mid-century glamour, the SS United States was more than a passenger ship. The vessel was built to battleship specifications. Its design allowed for rapid conversion from a luxury liner carrying nearly 2,000 passengers to a troopship capable of transporting 14,000 soldiers.
During its service, the ship ferried world leaders, Hollywood royalty including John Wayne, Grace Kelly, and former president Harry S. Truman, and thousands of immigrants across the Atlantic. Its maiden voyage in 1952 set a record that stands to this day, crossing the ocean at an average speed of roughly 42 mph in just under three days and 11 hours.
Legal challenge dismissed
Perry to halt the sinking was rejected by U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers on November 6, 2026. The foundation had sought an emergency temporary restraining order, arguing that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the project without sufficient environmental impact reviews or adherence to historic preservation standards.
The complaint asked the court to bar the sinking until the Army Corps complied with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Judge Rodgers ruled the motion relied on rank speculation and not a basis on which the court could say there was no risk of monetary loss to the county. The court’s decision clears the way for Okaloosa County to proceed with the planned deployment.
Lawsuit raises concerns about hazardous contaminants in the Gulf
The foundation’s lawsuit raised specific concerns regarding the presence of hexavalent chromium and zinc chromate in the ship’s coatings. Plaintiffs argued that sinking the vessel could introduce hazardous contaminants into the Gulf environment.
Okaloosa County officials have maintained that the project is a heritage and legacy opportunity. Commissioner Mel Ponder noted the site is 12 nautical miles from the USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier sunk in 2006. To have an opportunity to have the SS United States right here by our shore is a heritage and a legacy that is generational,
Ponder said.
The project creates an artificial reef and onshore museum
Okaloosa County acquired the ship in October 2024. The project funding covers acquisition, transport, cleaning, and submersion of the vessel, including $1 million earmarked for an onshore museum showcasing the ship’s history. Brian Gorski, executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association Florida, said the project would benefit the region.
It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the creation of the world’s largest artificial reef.
Brian Gorski, Coastal Conservation Association Florida Executive Director
The ship is expected to become the centerpiece of Okaloosa County’s artificial reef program, which already includes over 500 sites. Visit Pensacola President and CEO Darien Schaefer noted that the world’s largest artificial reef creates a rare opportunity to elevate our entire region on the global stage.
Marine biologists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution plan to monitor the site to study how marine life adapts to the 990-foot structure.
Public viewing schedule
The county has organized several events surrounding the final deployment:
- November 11: A public sendoff ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
Deployment operations are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on November 12, pending favorable weather conditions. The event will be livestreamed at thessus.com for those unable to attend in person. Okaloosa County spokesperson Nick Tomecek confirmed the county is moving forward with the project as planned, noting that bystanders at the site must follow guidance from safety boats.
Worth a look