In pictures – the mighty American ocean liner sunk to Florida’s seabed to create the world’s largest artificial reef

On November 11, 2026, the United States of America deliberately sank its fastest ocean liner to create a new purpose as the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida. This once iconic ship, SS United States, had been the pride of the nation, with three US Presidents once calling it home. Now, it will be inhabited by marine life and scuba divers instead of the elite.

Plans for the SS United States were first conceived in 1945 by United States Lines, the country's leading passenger shipping company. However, due to the ongoing threat from World War II and the looming Cold War, the US government sought to equip the ship for military use in case of need. The government even contributed an additional $25 million to the $44 million construction cost to incorporate 'national defence features'.

These enhancements included reinforced decks capable of supporting gun turrets and the most powerful engines ever installed in a passenger liner, enabling it to carry 14,000 troops at high speed to deter submarines and surface forces.

The United States was distinguished by its two prominent red, white, and blue funnels, the largest ever constructed, manufactured from aluminium, marking the world's biggest aluminium construction project at the time. The ship's design also had to accommodate strict fireproofing requirements due to the lessons learned from the Normandie, which had tragically succumbed to a blaze during its conversion to a troop carrier in 1942.

This led to a shift towards a sleek, mid-century modern aesthetic using glass, metal, and fibreglass, replacing the previously flamable art deco interiors.