The SS United States was retired from service in 1969, having completed more than 800 voyages|Brian W. Schaller|CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

The SS United States has embarked on its final voyage—to the bottom of the Gulf.

Florida officials sank the historic 990-foot ocean liner yesterday, turning the long-idle vessel into an artificial reef billed as the world’s largest.

It was sunk 25 miles southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola.

The SS United States made an extraordinary debut in 1952, setting the record for the fastest eastbound transatlantic crossing on its maiden journey.

The iconic liner was retired from service in 1969, having completed more than 800 voyages.

In 2024, Florida’s Okaloosa County acquired the vessel for $10.1 million.

The controlled sinking of the ship and the creation of marine habitats around it are estimated to cost $13.5 million. The strategy is to improve marine habitats in the area and, in turn, attract more tourists and divers.

Over 500 artificial reefs are in the area where the vessel rests now.

Through its voyages, the SS US has carried former US presidents Bill Clinton, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy, as well as Britain’s former King Edward VIII. Other famous passengers included Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.