Authorities to sink 1,000ft ocean liner in waters off Florida next month

• Authorities in Okaloosa County, Florida, plan to sink the SS United States in the Gulf of Mexico during November to create the world's largest artificial reef.
• The historic ocean liner, which is longer than the RMS Titanic, shattered the transatlantic speed record for a passenger ship since its maiden voyage in 1952.
• The vessel was towed from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, to be cleaned and prepared after legal disputes and high costs derailed restoration efforts.
• Okaloosa County committed $10.1 million to acquire, transport, clean, and submerge the ship, alongside building an onshore museum dedicated to its history.
• Local leaders expect the artificial reef to enhance marine habitats and generate millions of dollars in annual tourism revenue for Northwest Florida.

IN FULL

Legendary ocean liner bigger than Titanic to be deliberately sunk off Florida coast