A legendary ship transformed into the largest artificial coral reef in the world

(CNN) - The famous American passenger ship "SS United States", which previously set a record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean, is preparing to record a new achievement, but this time in the depths of the sea.

This month, a series of valves will open to allow seawater to enter the ship, flooding it about 25 miles off the coast of Florida, making it the largest artificial reef in the world.

The ship will settle at a depth of about 180 feet (54.9 meters), becoming the 21st and largest wreck in the Northwest Florida Shipwreck Trail, which stretches 150 miles between Pensacola and Port St. Joe.

This route, which includes sunken ships, some dating back to 1942, has become a habitat for marine creatures and a popular destination for diving enthusiasts since it was officially established in 2012, with the aim of stimulating tourism after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.

The sinking operation will give new life to the ship, whose black and red colors were faded by the sun, and rust spread on its hull, after it transported prominent American figures and members of European royal families across the Atlantic.

The non-profit organization "SS United States Conservancy" plans to establish a museum in Florida near the launch sites for diving trips, to display the ship's belongings and history, including its two huge smokestacks that were removed in preparation for their preservation.

Queen of the Atlantic

The SS United States was not just a luxury passenger liner, it was an engineering feat and a potential military asset. Its length reached 990 feet (301 metres), exceeding that of the Titanic, and its maximum speed during the tests reached 44 miles per hour.

When it was built in 1950, its cost exceeded $70 million, shared between government and military agencies and the operating commercial shipping company.

The ship was designed so that it could be quickly converted into a means of transporting soldiers, as instead of accommodating about 2,000 passengers, it could carry 14,000 soldiers.

On its maiden voyage in 1952, it crossed the Atlantic from New York to Europe in less than three days and 11 hours, at a speed of nearly 42 miles per hour, setting a record that still stands.

Thanks to the use of aluminum to lighten its weight, it was about ten miles per hour faster than modern cruise ships.

During the 1950s and 1960s, it became a symbol of luxury, and hosted four current, former, or future American presidents, including Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Bill Clinton.

It also hosted stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, and Sean Connery, along with European royal figures.

Naval historian Sal Mercogliano described the ship as the culmination of a centuries-long race to control the North Atlantic and connect Europe to North America.

But the advent of commercial jet aircraft in 1958 changed the future of travel, and the importance of ocean-going ships declined, until the SS United States went out of service in 1969.

Merculiano believed that sinking her would mark the symbolic end of the era of great ocean liners.

A new habitat for marine organisms

After its retirement, the ship moved between American ports, and remained anchored in the city of Philadelphia in America for about thirty years. In 2024, its owners faced the choice of selling it for scrap or turning it into an artificial reef.

Okaloosa County in Florida stepped in, offering $1 million to buy it.

After multiple delays, the ship was towed 1,800 miles to Mobile, Alabama, where hazardous materials were removed to protect the marine environment, after most of its internal equipment was unloaded.

According to the organization concerned with preserving its history, the ship's hull still maintains about 90% of its original integrity, thanks to its sturdy design similar to the specifications of warships.

Scientists expect it to quickly transform into a vibrant ecosystem.

Professor of Marine Sciences Michael Parsons explained that fish may begin to gather around artificial reefs within hours or days, while bacteria and algae colonize them almost immediately.

The ship is expected to attract multiple species, including grouper, snapper and barracuda, as well as sea urchins and corals.

Researcher Melissa May said that these structures provide shelter for marine organisms and safe areas for some species to reproduce and grow their young.

But researcher Chris Stallings stressed that the success of artificial reefs depends on the goals of their creation, whether to enhance biodiversity, or support fishing and tourism.

Okaloosa is betting on environmental and economic benefits that include diving trips, fishing, hotels, restaurants and tourism services.

If the ship rested vertically, its bottom would be 180 feet (54.9 meters) deep, while its upper decks might be 55 to 60 feet (16.76 to 18.29 meters) deep, making parts of it available to qualified recreational divers.

It will exceed in size the sunken aircraft carrier "USS Oriskany" by about 80 feet (24.4 meters), beginning a new chapter in its history, after it moved from breaking records above the waves to setting them under the surface of the sea.