Posted on 11/06/2026 7:06:42 AM PST by Red Badger
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- The planned sinking of the historic SS United States off the Florida Panhandle is now facing an emergency federal court challenge.
A preservation group is asking a judge to stop the ship from leaving Mobile next week, claiming toxic paint aboard the ship could contaminate Gulf waters and threaten marine life.
The group argues federal regulators failed to adequately study those risks before approving the project.
The historic ocean liner is scheduled to leave Mobile on Monday and be sunk in the Gulf, 23 miles southwest of Destin, next Thursday.
The ship has been in Mobile for the last 20 months getting cleaned and prepared to become the world's largest artificial reef.
The Army Corps of Engineers has concluded the project would not cause significant environmental harm.
The legal challenge does not mean the sinking has been stopped.
That would need an order from the court.
Is it bigger than the Oriskany?
As sad as it is to see this magnificent ship from a golden era in US history scuttled, it sat docked in Philadelphia, rusting-away for 20 years. Attempts were made to “save” it then - and they were all ineffective
Its also been dismembered with parts of it already removed for a museum ashore.
What’s the point of this present legal effort??
So-called environmentalists are against everything...
Sinking the ship will help wildlife by providing a place for it to grow.
Harassments...............
Yes, the Oriskany was 888 ft in length. The S.S. United States measured 990 ft in length. Sinking the S.S. United, the reigning trans-Atlantic fastest crossing record holder and an engineering marvel will be a tragedy. It’s happening on Trump’s watch.
“It’s happening on Trump’s watch”
.
The sinking will be a boom for Florida’s dive-tourism industry—best for Governor Donald’s tenure...
Though I favor the sinking this did give me pause,
“The Army Corps of Engineers has concluded the project would not cause significant environmental harm.”
ACE are not the ones I would totally rely on for such a review. In fact I’d be tempted to outright scoff. Nothing against them but that should not be their job.
So I believe the group has a legit concern and further review is warranted based on environmental risks.
OK, the judge should give the group who made this claim 30 days to remove the toxic paint at their own expense, and then we'll sink it.
“Highest and Best Use Doctrine”
Certainly the one that makes the most economic sense.
The shell will never again be powered across the sea on its own. Right now it is at best a barge, and an obstacle to navigation.
They scrap old Fords, don’t they? The shell is just a very large floating piece of scrap.
“The historic ocean liner is scheduled to leave Mobile on Monday and be sunk in the Gulf”. I would think Mobile would want it, they have a good museum.
They didn’t buy it, our county, Okaloosa, did. Mobile did the stripping and salvaging process.................
INSURRECTION
The NDS/DNC will celebrate her sinking as much as the assassination of Charlie Kirk
<>It’s happening on Trump’s watch.<>
My zinnias died last week on Trump’s watch.
Calling all lawyers.. All aboard! 😉
>>>The historic ocean liner is scheduled to leave Mobile on Monday and be sunk in the Gulf, 23 miles southwest of Destin, next Thursday.
The ship has been in Mobile for the last 20 months getting cleaned and prepared to become the world’s largest artificial reef.<<<
Location: MARS
https://www.modernamericanrecyclingservices.com/
From and including: Monday, March 3, 2025
To, but not including Monday, November 9, 2026
Result: 616 days
Or 1 year, 8 months, 6 days excluding the end date.
Or 20 months, 6 days excluding the end date.
88 weeks
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/durationresult.html?m1=03&d1=03&y1=2025&m2=11&d2=9&y2=2026
When I first read the headline I thought it was a tongue in cheek editorial about Tuesday’s election results and the demise of our great nation.
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