Free Republic

After years of uncertainty, delays, and preparations, we finally have a timeline for when the historic SS United States will be sent to the bottom of the Gulf.Late on Friday night, October 9, 2026, officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, announced that the legendary ocean liner is scheduled to be deployed as the world’s largest artificial reef during the second week of November 2026.The ship will be sunk approximately 22 nautical miles, or 25 miles, southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.While an exact date has not been announced, county officials say the operation will be weather-dependent, meaning the timeline could change.This...

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Okaloosa County is reapplying for permits required to sink the SS United States.The county said they are reapplying for the permitting area where the SS United States will be deployed. This results in the original permit being modified.The historic ocean liner is set to become the world's largest artificial reef. The only thing standing in the way now is final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."There's people that want to come from all over Europe, Australia, Asia all different locations wanting to hit it," says Mason Ousley, the manager at Dive Pros.>>>The ocean liner...

PHILADELPHIA -- Dan McSweeney has a few ideas for saving the United States. That would be the SS United States -- the fastest ocean liner in the world. Bigger than the Titanic and fast enough to water-ski behind, she's a steamship so sophisticated, her capabilities remained a Cold War secret for decades. She transported royalty and starlets. Her crew served frog legs in first class. Before the dawn of the jet age, the SS United States was the Concorde of her era. 'Big U' in Big Trouble? Admirers call her the "Big U." Today, she could be in big trouble....