The much-anticipated sinking of the SS United States in the Florida Panhandle this week is being moved up to Wednesday, a day earlier than previously scheduled. Blame the weather.
Okaloosa County, which whisked the 990-foot vessel from its Philadelphia berth last year in order to save it from the scrapyard, made the announcement Monday. Okaloosa County officials said the change was due to heavy winds and unsafe weather conditions in the forecast.
“Safety is always a top priority in Okaloosa County,” said Okaloosa County Board Chair Trey Goodwin. “There is simply no reason to take an unnecessary risk when adjusting the schedule will allow us to carry out this historic deployment safely and smoothly.”
For those traveling to see the 990-foot ocean liner turned into an artificial reef and tourist attraction, the change might come with logistical problems, but officials don’t expect the change to put too much of a damper on activities.
Officials and businesses in the Destin-Fort Walton area expect the artificial reef to be a boon to tourism as early as this week. Area charter boats have been selling seats for a front-row view of the sinking, which is set to make the SS United States the world’s largest artificial reef. One diving company already has trips booked out for clients this month — people should be able to dive to the vessel as early as the next day, according to the county.
The county had initially planned a send-off ceremony at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center Wednesday. That event has been canceled.
Enthusiasts unable to make it in person will still be able to watch a livestream of the sinking. The process will begin around 1 p.m. CST.
It’s been a dramatic final weeks for the vessel which once hosted household names like John F. Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor. The SS United States Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit launched in 2024, tried to halt the sinking, citing environmental concerns. A judge denied the motion Friday, leaving the door open for the foundation to file again, though it hasn’t as of Monday.
The vessel, which has been undergoing environmental remediation in Mobile, Ala., was finally towed by tugboats to Florida Monday with a scene familiar to many Philadelphians.
News reports in Mobile described crowds of history lovers, along with some out of state visitors, gathering to see the once regal ocean liner glide through the water a second to last time.
