The famous SS United States ocean liner was intentionally sunk off the coast of Florida yesterday. The massive ship was once the fastest ocean liner in the world, but it will now serve a brand new purpose as an underwater reef. People gathered to watch the historic boat go down into the water.

What happened to the SS United States ocean liner?

The giant vessel was carefully taken out to sea off the coast of Florida to be sunk on purpose. Workers spent a long time preparing the boat so it would safely sink to the ocean floor. Hundreds of onlookers watched the event happen live as the famous ship slipped beneath the waves.

This historic ocean liner holds a big place in travel history because it was built to move faster than any other ship of its kind. Now that its flying days on top of the water are completely over, it begins a new life under the ocean. The plan ensures the famous vessel stays useful for many years to come.

Why turn a historic ship into an underwater reef?

Sinking huge ships like this creates valuable homes for fish, corals, and other sea creatures. When a massive steel structure rests on the empty sea floor, sea life quickly moves in and starts to grow on it. Over time, the sunken ship turns into a busy natural habitat for ocean animals.

These man-made artificial reefs also draw divers and tourists from all over the globe. People love to swim down and explore large historical ships that rest under the water. This provides a great boost for local tourism while also helping the local underwater environment thrive.

How does the ship look after sinking?

The massive boat now rests on the seabed in its final spot underwater. Cameras captured the exact moment the water rushed into the vessel and pulled it down. Viewers can watch video of the entire sinking process to see how the big ocean liner went under.

The ship will stay in this exact spot off the Florida coast forever. Marine biologists expect sea life to start covering the metal walls very quickly. It marks the end of one long chapter for the record-breaking ship and the start of a whole new ocean story.

Where to watch the SS United States sinking?

Video footage of the historic event was captured and shared by major news outlets. Viewers can watch the full video report online through NBC News broadcasts to see how the event unfolded. The footage shows the huge liner settling peacefully onto the ocean floor.

People who follow news on television can also check out NBC Nightly News to see highlights of the ocean liner. Seeing such a massive piece of history change its purpose is a rare sight. Millions of people are tuning in to see the video of this famous ship taking its final dive.