DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — An ocean liner that once was the fastest on the seas is headed to its final home on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico as the world’s largest artificial reef. Officials on Florida’s panhandle coast were scuttling the SS United States on Wednesday about 25 miles southwest of Destin, between […]

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — An ocean liner that once was the fastest on the seas is headed to its final home on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico as the world’s largest artificial reef. Officials on Florida’s panhandle coast were scuttling the SS United States on Wednesday about 25 miles southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola. The $13.5 million project is designed to attract more divers and fishing enthusiasts to the area while creating a home for tuna, marlin and swordfish. The project will keep what had been a technological marvel from becoming scrap metal. The 990-foot ship set a speed record on its first voyage in 1952. By John Hanna and Stephen Smith, Associated Press Banner image: The SS United States is towed down the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from Philadelphia, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Image courtesy of Matt Rourke, Associated Press This article was originally published on Mongabay

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  • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    4 hours ago

    We also have the sunken USS Oriskany outside of Pensacola. By all accounts it’s a thriving ecosystem. This sinking is going to be at about the same depth, which kinda sucks as it’s not easily accessible to divers. Experienced divers can get to the top deck, but that’s about it.

    • Ninja876@lemmy.world
      4·
      2 hours ago

      I get why they intentional sink them just out of reach of hobby divers. The cost to weld every door and portal shut it substantial. Otherwise you have idiots entering the ship getting lost and drowning.