Wire reporting: (AP, via Stuff), (AFP, via RTE News), (Reuters, via SCMP)

The ocean liner SS United States was deliberately sunk Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico off Destin, Florida, in a controlled flooding operation meant to create what organizers call the world's largest artificial reef^1,7,12.

Organizers said the process began in the early afternoon and was expected to take about an hour, but the hull remained partly visible after dark^8,12. SCMP, citing Reuters and Associated Press reporting, said the ship listed and went under around 9 p.m.¹².

Okaloosa County, Florida, bought the decommissioned liner from a conservancy in 2024 for $1 million and spent about $13.5 million on cleanup, towing and sinking, according to AFP via RTE News¹¹. The county has said it wants dive tourism and fishing around the wreck^11,12.

The vessel, about 990 feet (302 meters) long, held the transatlantic speed record after its 1952 maiden voyage and made more than 800 Atlantic crossings before it was taken out of service in 1969^7,11,12. It sat for decades in Philadelphia; museum and hotel proposals did not proceed^7,12.

It was prepared in Mobile, Alabama, then towed toward the Florida Panhandle^7,12. Officials said explosives were not used; crews opened valves and cut holes so water would flood the hull evenly^5,7,12. The planned rest is about 180 feet (55 meters) of water, with upper decks shallow enough for recreational divers, about 20 to 25 miles off Destin^5,11,12.

The previous largest U.S. artificial reef cited in coverage is the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, scuttled off Pensacola in 2006^11,12. Funnels removed from the liner are intended for a land museum⁷. Conservancy figures said they wanted the ship saved from scrap even if it went underwater^7,12.