Watch: SS United States sunk to become largest artificial reef

The largest passenger ship built in the United States will soon have a new life, providing a place for sea life to thrive. The SS United States was sunk off the coast of the Florida Panhandle to create the world’s largest artificial reef.Read more trending news The ship, which is about 100 feet longer than the RMS Titanic, was sunk by controlled flooding about 20 miles offshore, The Washington Post reported. No explosives were to be used. Instead, the pipes that had supplied seawater to the boiler cooling system will be opened, allowing the water to rush in and flood the hull, The Associated Press explained. There are also several large holes cut in the deck and more than 400 portholes have been removed.When it came to rest, it was about 180 feet below the surface. The upper deck, however, will be only 55 feet below the surface. The project cost about $13.5 million, according to the AP.Not only will the ship become a habitat for fish and sea life, officials hope that it will become a d