Free Republic

The SS United States finally has a sinking date to become the world's largest artificial reef. The 990-foot ship, which was docked in Philadelphia for decades, will be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach on Nov. 12, according to an Okaloosa County, Florida, spokesperson. A sendoff ceremony will be held for the SS United States on Nov. 11. The deployment date could change based on the weather.

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...

PHILADELPHIA — An ocean liner that was the biggest and fastest ever built in the United States, and a symbol of national prestige until it was left to rot on the Philadelphia waterfront, may soon sail again. Norwegian Cruise Lines said Monday it has purchased the SS United States and intends to refurbish and return it to service, a half-century after the massive steamship set a speed record for a trans-Atlantic crossing. The announcement amazed preservation groups, who had been fighting what looked like a losing battle to rescue the ship from being scrapped. "I'm stunned," said Susan Gibbs, the...