SS United States Official Sinking Date Announced for November 12
It’s been a few years since we here at the Wildwood Video Archive last stepped foot aboard the historic SS United States, and today, we officially know when this legendary ocean liner will make her final journey to the bottom of the Gulf.
On Monday, October 26, Okaloosa County, Florida, announced that the SS United States is officially scheduled to be sunk on Thursday, November 12, 2026, ***weather permitting.***
The nearly 1,000-foot-long ocean liner will become the world’s largest artificial reef, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for one of America’s most historic ships.
SS United States Official Sinking Date Announced for November 12
For those unfamiliar with her history, the SS United States was launched in 1952 and still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner.
For decades, she sat along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, becoming a familiar sight for anyone traveling across the Walt Whitman Bridge.
Many South Jersey residents grew up seeing those iconic red, white, and blue smokestacks towering over the waterfront. (Driving over the bridge, we would always look for those smokestacks)
After years of uncertainty surrounding her future, the ship was acquired by Okaloosa County with plans to transform her into an artificial reef.
Over the past several months, crews have been preparing the vessel for her final deployment.
Also See: Major Construction Projects Now Underway Across the Wildwoods – October Update
According to the county’s announcement, the SS United States will be towed from Mobile, Alabama, to a designated location approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
Deployment operations are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on November 12.
A special public sendoff ceremony will take place the day before, November 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
For those unable to attend, a live viewing party will be held at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin beginning at 9 a.m. on deployment day.
County officials anticipate that potentially hundreds of boats could gather near the deployment site to witness this historic event.
Once underwater, the vessel will provide a new habitat for marine life while creating a major diving destination.
For us at the Wildwood Video Archive, this announcement is certainly bittersweet.
Having had the opportunity to explore this incredible ship firsthand, it’s difficult to imagine her resting on the ocean floor.
But while her days sailing the Atlantic are long behind her, the SS United States is preparing to make history one final time.
Just a note from us: unfortunately, while we planned to be physically there to film the sinking, we sadly will be out of the country and will not be able to provide coverage.
In the meanwhile, take a final walk on board the SS United States by watching our video below.