GONE: SS United States sinks into the Gulf to become world’s largest artificial reef

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - The SS United States slipped beneath the waves Wednesday night to the world’s largest artificial reef, weather permitting.The ship rolled over shortly before 9 p.m. and sank into the Gulf.The ocean liner carried passengers across the Atlantic for years following the ship’s 1951 launch. According to the SS United States Conservancy, it is the fastest passenger ship ever built and the last of America’s 20th century ocean liners.Warren Jones was 8 years old when he sailed on the ship in 1961. He now serves on the conservancy’s board.“It was just the experience of being on board. But to step on those decks, North Atlantic winds blowing in your face and the ship is going, you know, 35 knots. It’s just like no experience. It’s unforgettable,” Jones said.On Monday the ship left Mobile, where it spent the last 20 months undergoing preparation for its future as what Okaloosa County, Florida, leaders describe as the world’s largest artificial reef. They have said t