The legendary SS United States is officially enroute to her final resting place — where she’ll become an epic artificial reef and a world-class dive site.
This isn’t just any ship — the SS United States is an icon of American maritime history, a record-breaking ocean liner that once held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing. Now, she’s about to start a brand new chapter underwater.
🌊 If you’ve ever dreamed of diving a truly historic wreck, this is your chance to witness history being made beneath the waves. Now’s the perfect time to start preparing — refine your wreck diving, deep diving, and technical skills so you’re ready when the site opens.
📚 Whether you need to upgrade your gear, take that next course, or simply brush up on your skills, now’s the time. This site will attract divers from around the world — make sure you’re ready to be one of the first to explore her new underwater home!
💬 Where: Exact coordinates and final positioning to be announced soon — but rest assured, this will be a bucket list dive.
⚓️ Stay tuned for updates on the tow, the sinking event, and dive site logistics. This is going to be epic.
#SSUnitedStates #ArtificialReef #WreckDiving #GreatLakesDivers #WreckAddict #MaritimeHistory #TechDiving #PlanTheDiveDiveThePlan
SS United States – Vital Statistics
- Built: 1950-1952
- Launched: June 23, 1951
- Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Virginia, USA
- Owner: United States Lines
- Length: 302 metres (990 feet)
- Beam (Width): 31 metres (101.5 feet)
- Draught: 9.45 metres (31 feet)
- Displacement: Approximately 47,300 tonnes (52,000 tons)
- Speed: 39 knots (72 km/h or 44.7 mph) — still holds the Blue Riband for fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger liner
- Capacity: Originally designed for 1,928 passengers, with a crew of 900
- Power: 4 Westinghouse geared steam turbines, driving 4 shafts at a combined 240,000 shaft horsepower — the most powerful powerplant ever installed on a passenger ship
Key Historical Points
- Set the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage in 1952 — crossing from New York to Bishop Rock (off the UK) in 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes.
- Built as both a luxury liner and a convertible troopship, capable of carrying 14,000 troops if needed for national defence.
- Retired from service in 1969, after jet airliners made ocean crossings less profitable.
- Spent decades rusting in Philadelphia, with multiple failed preservation efforts.
- Now, her next chapter will be as a premier artificial reef and dive site, offering divers a truly massive and historic underwater playground.
This ship is a once-in-a-lifetime dive target — not just because of her size, but her engineering, historical importance, and cultural status as the last great American ocean liner.
Discover more from Shotline Diving - The Great Lakes Goto
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.