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The SS United States and her final destination
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- The SS United States, once the fastest and most elegant ocean liner, set a transatlantic speed record in 1952 that still stands today, carrying presidents and celebrities during its nearly two decades of service before being retired in 1969.
- After decades of neglect in Philadelphia, the ship was purchased by Okaloosa County, Florida, for $1 million, with plans to convert it into the world's largest artificial reef to create a new marine habitat and tourist attraction.
- Extensive environmental remediation has been undertaken to remove contaminants, and the ship is scheduled to be scuttled off the Florida coast in 2025, with parts of the vessel preserved for a museum planned by the SS United States Conservancy.
- The decision to sink the ship has been met with mixed emotions from fans and former passengers who cherish its historic and cultural significance, but it is seen as a fitting final resting place that will give the vessel new life underwater.
