SS United States ocean liner sunk off the coast of Florida
According to CBS News, the legendary ocean liner SS United States was scuttled on Wednesday in a controlled, explosive-free operation about 20 nautical miles off the Gulf Coast of Florida, between the Destin-Fort Walton Beach region and Pensacola. The 1,000-foot-long ship, which set a transatlantic speed record in 1952, has now become the world's largest artificial reef. Okaloosa County purchased the vessel for approximately $1 million in 2024 and spent a year in Mobile, Alabama, preparing it by removing environmentally hazardous materials to create a habitat for the Gulf's marine ecosystem. The $13 million project, funded by tourist tax revenue, is intended to boost the local economy by serving as a year-round destination for divers.