Escambia County could soon be the final underwater resting place for a ship larger than the Oriskany and even longer than the Titanic. The prospect of sinking the SS United States, a nearly 1,000-foot ship, in local waters is under serious consideration.
Local enthusiasm is growing for the idea. “This would make Escambia County waters the ultimate dive spot,” said a local fisherman and diver. The addition of the SS United States could transform the area into a premier destination for divers worldwide, attracting both professional and amateur divers to Pensacola Beach.
Other counties to the east and west are actively enhancing their artificial reefs and dive spots. Adding the SS United States would help Escambia County keep pace. Alabama, for instance, boasts a significant number of submerged reefs and ships, far outnumbering those in Escambia. Okaloosa County also has a substantial footprint of sunken materials and structures, including a unique array of columns extending into the Gulf.
The proposed project would require a $10 million investment and swift action. The SS United States, currently located in a Pennsylvania shipyard, must be moved by September 12th. This timeline presents challenges, including towing the vessel during peak hurricane season and determining the optimal sinking location.
The goal is to submerge the ship in a location accessible to recreational divers, who typically dive to depths of around 130 feet. Unlike the Oriskany, which sits in 230 feet of water, the SS United States could be sunk closer to shore, making more of the ship reachable to divers.
Funding for the project could come from various sources, including TDT funds, BP Oil Spill money, and potentially a Triumph Gulf Coast grant if the project meets the criteria. Commissioner Jeff Bergosh expressed strong support for the idea, likening it to the successful initiative to bring American Magic to the area.
About the SS United States
The SS United States is a retired ocean liner built between 1950 and 1951, notable for being the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the U.S. and the fastest to cross the Atlantic. Designed by William Francis Gibbs, the ship served from 1952 to 1969, transporting numerous celebrities. Following the financial collapse of United States Lines, she was withdrawn from service and has since been preserved by the SS United States Conservancy
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