balato8 A Storied Luxury Liner May Soon Find New Life on the Florida Seafloor

More than seven decades ago, the S.S. United States — a ship bigger than the Titanic — made its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, breaking the trans-Atlantic speed record.

The ocean liner, which once transported heads of state and members of the Hollywood elite from New York City to destinations across Europe, may soon make history again — this time underwater, as the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida.

The stately ship, once graced by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and John F. Kennedy, could soon be home to sea turtles, starfish and grouper.

On Tuesday, local officials and the SS United States Conservancy announced that the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners in Florida had approved a contingent contract to acquire the S.S. United States and submerge it offshore of Destin-Fort Walton Beach on the Panhandle.

The agreement would also come with money from the county to open a land-based museum dedicated to the ship, one that would be run by the conservancy.

ImageThe S.S. United States gliding down the Hudson River, as it began its first voyage to Europe from New York in view of the Midtown Manhattan skyline on July 3, 1952.Credit...Jack Harris/Associated Press

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• balato8
• May
• Luxury
• Storied
• Liner