Live stream from SS United States: Historic ship to be sunk to become world’s largest artificial reef off Florida coast

The SS United States was intentionally sunk Wednesday off the coast of Florida’s Panhandle.

The SS United States has pipes that drew seawater into tanks as part of its boiler cooling system, and those tanks were removed so that once the valves were opened, water flooded the hull, according to Nick Tomecek, Okaloosa County spokesman.

Workers also drilled 10-by-10-foot holes in the decks, and more than 400 portholes were removed.

The boat was dismantled to ensure it was environmentally friendly during its next life underwater as the world’s largest artificial reef.

Officials say the ship will also be sunk without the use of explosives.

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Federal environmental and explosives rules prevent Okaloosa County and its contractor from using explosives to scuttle the ship, Tomece said.

The ship is expected to sink in about 180 feet (55 meters) of water, with its upper deck about 60 feet (18 meters) below the surface – shallow enough for inexperienced divers to visit. It will settle at the bottom of the waters about 40 kilometers southwest of Destin, between Panama City and Pensacola.

In anticipation of the sinking, organizers also removed the 20-meter chimneys and plan to install them in a new museum celebrating the ship.

The ship has been undergoing repairs since it was towed last year from Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront.