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Legendary SS United States sinks beneath waves as divers prepare for first look
The SS United States has been deliberately sunk off Florida to form what is described as the world’s largest artificial reef. The move turns a celebrated ocean liner into a potential attraction for divers and a site where researchers can document how a large vessel changes underwater.
The ship went down at about 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, around 25 miles south-west of Destin, after sailing transatlantic routes from 1952 to 1969. It carried notable passengers including Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and a young Bill Clinton, and was designed during the Cold War to serve as a troop carrier if needed. Divers may need to wait for underwater conditions to settle; researchers have proposed laser scans, photographs and drawings to track the wreck over time.
In short
- SS United States was scuttled off Florida to become an artificial reef.
- The liner carried famous passengers and had a Cold War role.
- Researchers hope to document how the wreck changes underwater.