Ocean liner SS United States sunk in the Gulf of Mexico

In depth

The passenger liner SS United States, which held the speed record for crossing the Atlantic by passenger ships, was scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida. The ship was sent to the bottom in a controlled manner, in a move meant to turn it into a large artificial reef. Before the scuttling, the ship underwent months of preparation, which included readying the vessel for its new chapter. The scuttling cost 13.5 million dollars.

The ship crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and broke speed records. Over the years it carried wealthy passengers and celebrities on its voyages to Europe and America in the 1950s and 1960s, and hosted, among others, President Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor. Instead of ending its days in a scrapyard, it is now being sunk to the seabed.

The move is meant to attract divers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world to the ship's remains. Visitors who want to explore the remains will need advanced diving certification. The ship has become the largest artificial reef in the world.