Historic U.S. ocean liner sunk off Florida coast to create artificial reef
From NPR.
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The SS United States ocean liner now sits in waters off the Florida coast, at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. It took several hours for crews to complete the task, which was designed to establish the world’s largest artificial reef.
Launched in 1951, the SS United States once transported four presidents, the Mona Lisa and a slate of 20th century movie stars. After decades spent rusting, and facing the scrap heap, its minders settled on a deal to sink the vessel off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida. The sinking is a bittersweet coda to the era of gleaming behemoths that crossed oceans in elegant fashion. It’s also part of an ongoing effort by coastal communities to lure thrill-seeking tourists away from international destinations.
Find “NPR News Now” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Host: Windsor Johnston/NPR
Reporter: Henry Larson/NPR
Producer: Michael Zamora/NPR
Launched in 1951, the SS United States once transported four presidents, the Mona Lisa and a slate of 20th century movie stars. After decades spent rusting, and facing the scrap heap, its minders settled on a deal to sink the vessel off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida. The sinking is a bittersweet coda to the era of gleaming behemoths that crossed oceans in elegant fashion. It’s also part of an ongoing effort by coastal communities to lure thrill-seeking tourists away from international destinations.
Find “NPR News Now” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Host: Windsor Johnston/NPR
Reporter: Henry Larson/NPR
Producer: Michael Zamora/NPR
