Okaloosa Countyhas signed an agreement to purchase the SS United States, the historic ocean liner that holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing, with plans to create the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
- The Okaloosa Board of County Commissionerswill meet on Tuesday, September 3 at 3 p.m. to ratify the executed contract.
According to county documents, the Tourist Development Department is requesting approval for a budget allocation of up to $9 million for the acquisition, remediation, transport, and deployment of the SS United States. This project also includes plans for a land-based museum dedicated to the ship.
The SS United States, a 990-foot vessel launched in 1952, still holds the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner. Currently docked in Philadelphia, the ship faced legal challenges when a federal judge ruled on June 14, 2024, that it must vacate its location within 90 days.
This ruling has necessitated quick action to preserve the historic vessel.
Economic and Ecological Impact
The projectis expected to have significant economic benefits. County documents cite the USS Oriskany, an 888-foot vessel sunk off Pensacola in 2006, as a comparison. The Oriskany attracts over 10,000 divers annually, generating approximately $3.6 million per year in direct spending as of 2015.
A University of Florida study estimates that every dollar spent on artificial reefs generates $7 in economic benefits for the local economy, with larger projects potentially yielding greater returns.
- The county anticipatesthis project will attract higher-spending, lower-impact visitors beyond the traditional 100-day summer season.
Ecologically,the artificial reef will create new habitats for marine life, potentially increasing fish populations and biodiversity. This is expected to benefit both commercial and recreational fishing in the area.
The increased fish populationsand improved catches are anticipated to attract more recreational anglers, who contribute to the local economy through spending on equipment, boat rentals, fuel, and charters.
Project Details
The county has identified three active permitted areas(Large Area Artificial Reef Sites A, B and C) that can accommodate the SS United States, all less than 25 miles from shore. These sites offer depths and clearance requirements suitable for divers of various skill levels, from beginners to technical divers.
Of the $9 million budget,$1 million is allocated for the ship’s purchase. The county has until September 12 to complete due diligence, which began in early August. Closing is set to occur on or before October 4, 2024.
- An agreement with the pier operator must be entered into by October 4, with the goal of completing this sooner.
The SS United States Conservancy,the current owner, has committed to developing a land-based museum in conjunction with the artificial reef, which would serve to continue the iconic vessel’s legacy and provide non-divers the opportunity to learn about “America’s Flagship” and its rich history.
Okaloosa Countywill provide up to $1 million for museum-related costs, including property purchase, construction, or renovation of an existing building/property for the museum and its exhibits.
- The details of the museum project and terms of an agreement are to be separately developed and negotiated within twelve months of the SS United States purchase.
Timeline and Next Steps
If approved on September 3, the county will proceed with finalizing agreements for remediation, transport, deployment, and museum development. Environmental due diligence is ongoing, with initial test results described as favorable.
County staff have identified potential funding partners and expect significant cost-sharing to reduce the overall expense. To date, they believe they have secured $5 million in partnership contributions.
- All future contracts and funding agreements will be presented to the Board for consideration and approval in accordance with established thresholds.
Comparison to USS Oriskany
At 990 feet,the SS United States would surpass the USS Oriskany (888 feet) as the world’s largest intentional artificial reef. The Oriskany, sunk in 2006, continues to attract divers and generate economic benefits nearly two decades later.
- Okaloosa County aims to build on this success, positioning Destin-Fort Walton Beach as a premier destination for diving and marine tourism.
The presence of two of the world’s largest artificial reefs in northwest Florida is expected to solidify the region’s status as a top destination for scuba diving and fishing activities.
Historical Significance
The SS United States, known as “America’s Flagship,” represents a pinnacle of American naval engineering. It was designed to be convertible to a troop ship if needed, capable of transporting 14,000 troops for 10,000 miles without refueling. The ship set speed records on its maiden voyage in 1952, using only two-thirds of its power.
Built as part of a top-secret Cold War program,the SS United States was designed to be the world’s fastest and safest ship. Its true performance figures were kept secret for many years, but it’s known that on sea trials, it achieved a speed of over 38 knots (about 44 miles per hour).
- The ship carried four U.S. presidents and numerous celebrities during its service life.
With the acquisition of the SS United States,Okaloosa County aims to preserve a piece of maritime history while creating a unique attraction that could significantly boost the local economy and marine ecosystem.
When deployed,this project would cement Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s status as home to the world’s largest artificial reef, continuing its reputation as a premier fishing destination and further establishing it as the dive capital of Florida and the artificial reef capital of the United States.
62 Responses
This is BS!
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Sinking a historic ship is not “preserving” it
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Agreed but the trust that held her wouldn’t let people tour her. They just wanted people to donate money. Last I read for an absurd amount of of donation someone could tour her. It was irresponsible of the trust to keep her behind a fence and off limits to the public, but still want the public to give money. Sad all the way around
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I looked into the recent tours and they told
Me it would need to be at least $250 donation per personLoading...
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Couldn’t do extensive tours do to the conditions of the ship and insurance regulations. The price was dropped to 500 per person for tours. They kept it behind a fence because it was still a working pier and homeland security type clearances were needed to enter the area. Did you want a bunch of homeless drug Philadelphians sneaking on board to live ?
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Tours would have been great, but unfortunately the cost of liability insurance to allow it to become a true destination for people to tour likely far outweighed funds which could be brought in. I’d venture 98-99% of Americans have never heard of SS United States. Sadly until 5-6 years ago I never had and I’m now in my mid-40s. Naval ships fair better in popularity due to some of the military history behind them, think USS Missouri, USS Yorktown, USS The Sullivans etc. United States 100% holds a page in history, but doubtful enough to ever attract enough visitors to see an empty hull.
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I’ve been aboard her – both sailing on her as a boy and 5 years ago in Philadelphia as a guest of the Conservancy. You have to understand that there is nothing to tour. Every single thing on that ship was stripped and removed for the auction in the early 1980s. There are no doors, there are a few walls, there is nothing to indicate where beds or sinks were in different cabins, and it is a very dangerous thing to walk around. Even trying to open it for tours would’ve required staggering amounts of insurance because it’s not the Queen Mary. Big U has been gutted. Money requested by the Conservancy was to try to find her a permanent home – above water.
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Well neither is letting it rot without any plans whatsoever.
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It was this or off to the scrap yard. Which do you think is a better way for this rusted out hulk to go?
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Scrap . This is the greatest ocean liner the world has ever scene. The Queen Elizabeth caught fire & sank ( Seawise University) .The great liner the Normandie caught fire in NY while docked & sank . The France was scrapped
The Titanic sank . The Queen Mary is still dignified in Longbeach
Sending her voluntarily to the bottom of the ocean is in dignifying . Unheroic I’m an attorney
Let’s file suit to stop the sale immediately
Nick PLoading...
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Better than cutting up for scrap
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Usually they grind them up into razor blades. This would be better.
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Obviously, reefing it IS the onliest remaining end for her. With a proper museum nearby, and the ship herself within daylight and range of recreational divers, she will continue to welcome visitors and provide jobs and cultural and historic enlightenment for another century, or more.
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Why do you say that?
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The ss United States was a very historic ocean liner and she one of the only remaining of her kind. She held the transatlantic speed record for 60 years! She could also go at speeds of 44 mph or more. That’s fast for a ship if you don’t know that.
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Probably the best outcome for the ship. It doesn’t generate enough income to pay it’s bills, it’s been evaluated countless times to see if it’s viable to put it back in service, it has largely been stripped. The only real option is sink it or sell it for scrap. At least if it’s an artificial reef it can generate income.
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You are a voice of reason, here. If it is reefed and a suitable museum is erected nearby, the ship will continue to provide historic insight, tourism, jobs, and just plain entertainment for another century or more. Consider how RMS Titanic is still sufficiently intact for visitors now a hundred-twelve years after she went down. Unfortunately, she’s in twelve-thousand feet of water, but this vessel will lie where daylight and recreational divers can visit and explore her.
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What kind of pollution can leech from this ship into the environment?
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The Tourism Development Department of Okaloosa County always takes into account the effects on the environment. This is not their first rodeo. They have been deploying these artificial reefs for decades. They strip the vessels of every nonmetallic piece. The only thing left is always the hull. The hard metal surface is perfect structure for marine species including a nice hard space for sponges and corals to settle. So this would be awesome for Destin-Fort Walton Beach!
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They strip the ship and make sure no fluids are left on board. In some cases they will either seal off with concrete or make sure the fuel tanks are cleaned and stripped of any oil contamination before scuttling her.
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What kind of pollution can leech into the environment from this vessel?
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No more than any of the other 1000s of sunken ships around the planet
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It’s nothing but a metal and aluminum shell. There is no fuel or oil on board. Just like every other ship sunk for diving.
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There are more than 3000 Japanese ships sunk in WW2 in the south Pacific….
Most carried tons of oil and fuel to their watery graveLoading...
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Iron oxide, I hate the idea of the reef but it seems to be the only practical one. It would cost a fortune to refit her, not to mention going through all the legal hoops, to take on passengers and Insurance. Then there are the eco killjoy’s that would try to have it converted into a EV. And that’s just the begaining of the insanity. Even if it didn’t move on its own making it a restaurant or school would be expensive. And you still have the dock fees every month. Yup the truth frequently sucks!
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I cannot fathom this (no pun intended). She is an icon of the USA. I can neither understand nor accept that with the USA’s gigantic military budget, that some funding could not be found to preserve and restore this icon. Imagine if the Statue of Liberty needed restoration? Would the only option be scrap or sink?
Scuttling her is not preserving her.
This is a travesty.
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Well said! Terrible end to her life.
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The Statue of Liberty did need restoration and did get it with private funding.
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You’re kidding! After all the years, money, and work the conservancy dedicated to saving this historic ship, it’s just going to be sunk to use it as a reef instead of making it into a museum. It should be docked in New York City next to the Intrepid. Only in America do we let historic icons disappear and never to be seen again.
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I love fort Walton beach and I go there every year but please for the sake of history don’t sink it. I means seriously is all you think about tourism. This is just bs!
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This is tragic. No one could save this ship? One of the presidential candidates should have coughed up some money, and then the headline would read ” candidate name saves the United States.” Talk about a headline.
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I agree.
Sending it to the bottom is a burial at sea.Loading...
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About 15 years ago I spent several hours aboard the SS United States, touring and photographing her. My impression was that she would never be restored and sailed again. Sadly, I was right.
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To Susan Gibbs. My sincere condolences. You have worked so hard and so long to save our beautiful Flagship! You haven’t failed. Virginia failed to share your vision. Your Grandfather would be proud of you! Thank you for keeping her alive for us.
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I sailed on this ship in February 1957 from England to NYC as an infant when we emigrated to canada
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What an absolute shame to send this beautiful work of earlier maritime engineering to the very last place it was designed to go.
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This is Terrible!
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It’s a sad end for the Big U.
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Why sink that rust-bucket in such a beautiful area? Being from Philadelphia, I’ve seen that hulk for several years simply sitting there. And having been a resident of FWB, I would rather see this eyesore go somewhere else…like physical junk yard (piece-wise) and turn it into razor blades.
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Shut up you jerk, you dont get it at all
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this is awesome news for divers. i hope it is closer than the oriskany – that’s a great dive, but it’s a long way out
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Shameful sinking but a much better option than cutting it up for scrap
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Sad day but the way the the country is headed.
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I own a plank of the ship I’m definitely not in favor of sinking her why not spend those millions to make a hotel etc
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My Grandfather helped build this ship. I personally knew her Master of 14 years (Commodore Leroy Alexanderson of the United States Lines). It’s sad that neither the America or United States could be saved yet a British Liner has been kept up in Long Beach for decades. But better a reef than the scrap yard! Thank you Susan Gibbs.
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There is some question how well the Queen Mary has been maintained.
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Just so everyone is clear, this ship has been gutted down to the studs. All of the interior character defining features are gone. None of the mid-century charm remains.
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In years to come when you can just see Ocean liners in books, people will say…Why did they sink her with the incredible history she has!! What a stupid thing to do!!! The scuba divers have plenty of wrecks to dive to! This is Rificulous!
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I join the conversation as a former 14-year-old passenger on my first trip to Europe. If the original owners (read “investors”) of the decommissioned ship had any national pride or sense of history–instead of merely the expectation of making a profit by holding on to her without investing anything in her preservation–she could have rivaled the popularity of the Queen Mary (still a tourist attraction in Long Beach, CA since 1967.)
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Good riddance… it’s been an eye sore in South Philly forever… it will be 1% less ghetto looking now
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Shut up
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For a small fraction of the money they was on foreign aid , the Government could return her to.service ! As a Show Piece of American Engineering!
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Should be a hotel a restaurant tow to Milwaukee or Manitowoc we will take her. Incredible waste and lost opportunity. Tragic.
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I was a passenger in 1969 for a crossing from New York to Southhampton. It was an
exciting journey for a 14 year old boy! Though I don’t think scuttling it is my number one choice, there are few options. As a member of the society, I have contributed financially to its preservation and am sad that other options are not viable. As I am not a diver, I will not see her below the surface, but may go to Florida to see her go to her final resting place!Loading...
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My father was one to help weld this ship together. I remember touring her at six years old. Mamie Eisenhower christened her and I was there. Seems like yesterday, makes me feel old that this ship is ready to be retired to the gulf’s bottom.
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So unfortunate that she could not be restored. I spent my 11th birthday on that ship.
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Load the 20 million Illegals in our country onboard, tow it out to sea and drop anchor before election day
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I hope this never happens to the Queen Mary that’s an iconic ship.
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Probably most of the naysayers aren’t even residents of this area. As a diver of more than 50 years and a resident of Pensacola for longer. It will be an economic boom for the area and a fitting end for a ship that can no longer serve it’s purpose. We should go for it.
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This is unfortunate. As others have said, it would cost a fortune to retrofit her for any purpose. Even as a “goodwill” ship to represent the USA, she is a bit dated, even if $1B was spent to modernize her. Her configuration is such that she is designed for crossings, not cruisings. She’s not really designed to be turned into a hospital ship. She might make a good “second response” to a natural disaster providing food, water desalination, electricity, communications, and such to a coastal city that experienced a natural disaster. And, moored in a harbor, she would make quite the statement. But, a Billion Dollar statement?
Reality is a brand new ship could be purpose-built that would do all those functions at a fraction of the cost to retrofit the SS United States.
Still, I hope this is thought through. Once she is gone, she is gone forever. There’s no refloating her.
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My mother and father were on her Maiden voyage when I was 8 Years old .I still remember the excitement when She left the dock… a great Era in our Country’s history. !!!
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As with other ships that were recently sunk by the Navy in live fire drills off of Hawaii, WHY NOT RECYCLE the steel. I get the historical significance, but we REALLY need the steel in the U.S. China is buying up ALL the (copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, brass, silver, gold, and iron) metals that it can in an attempt to make it difficult for the rest of the world in the event of war? I wish that the U.S. would wake up and really see what is happening.
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