The SS United States, a ship built over seventy years ago, still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger liner. During its maiden voyage in July 1952, it traveled from New York to Southampton in 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes—a record that has never been matched by another passenger ship. While a ground effect catamaran, the Hoverspeed Great Britain, achieved a faster speed of 36.6 knots on the same route in 1990, it was a lightweight vessel designed for speed rather than passenger comfort, unlike the SS United States, which was built to carry thousands of people in luxury. The SS United States was powered by a propulsion system generating over 240,000 horsepower, allowing it to reach a peak speed of 35 knots. This speed was classified during the Cold War for strategic reasons. The ship was more than just a luxury liner—it was also a symbol of American technological prowess. Its design was influenced by military technology from the U.S. Navy, and it could be converted into a troop transport in times of war. The SS United States was retired in 1969 as commercial air travel made transatlantic voyages less necessary. Since 1996, it has been moored in Philadelphia, where it has suffered from neglect, rust, and decay. Various plans to repurpose the ship—such as converting it into a floating hotel, museum, or cultural center—were proposed but never realized due to the enormous cost of restoration. In fact, its massive propellers were removed and are now displayed at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the Intrepid Museum in New York. In a surprising turn, the SS United States was purchased by Okaloosa County, Florida, for $10 million in 2025. The ship was transported from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, where it underwent extensive decontamination, removing hazardous materials like asbestos and chemicals. The goal is to sink it off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach as the world's largest artificial reef. The scuttling, originally planned for May 2026, has been delayed pending final approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA. Once approved, the ship will be sunk within 30 to 60 days, eventually becoming a habitat for marine life and joining other sunken vessels like the USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier turned reef just 12 nautical miles away.