Gulf CoastWednesday, November 4
The SS United States is set to become the world's largest artificial reef Nov. 12
The Daily Pensacola team
If you've ever wanted to watch a 990-foot ocean liner go down on purpose, mark Nov. 12. The SS United States is set to become the world's largest artificial reef that day, about 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass, weather permitting. Okaloosa County leads the project, but Escambia County tourism officials committed $1 million toward deployment and $500,000 a year for five years to market it.
Escambia County is putting money behind the new reef
- $1 million
- toward deploying the ship
- $500,000
- a year for five years to market it
- 32
- nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass
Source: Pensacola News Journal
Local dive operators expect the reef to draw visitors. Kerry Freeland of Dive Pros calls it "another jewel in our crown," and he estimates 30% to 40% of area dive charter trips still go to the Oriskany, sunk off Pensacola in 2006.
The liner set a transatlantic speed record on its first voyage in 1952. The Navy covered about one-third of its $77.7 million construction cost for possible troop duty, but it was never used that way.
- Livestream: thessus.com, with a viewing link before deployment
- Purchase price: $10.1 million, bought by Okaloosa County in October 2024
- Site: 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach
The send-off and the sinking are set for Nov. 11 and 12
- Nov. 11Okaloosa County's public send-off ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. in Destin.
- Nov. 12Visit Pensacola's free watch party begins at 9:30 a.m. at Seville Quarter.
- Nov. 12The sinking is set to start at 10 a.m.
Source: Pensacola News Journal
Sources: Pensacola News Journal, Stars and Stripes