World's fastest ocean liner is sunk to break another record: largest artificial reef

The SS United States, without its smokestacks, at port in Mobile, Ala., before its sinking on Wednesday.(Destin-Fort Walton Beach / Screenshot by NPR)The fastest passenger liner in the world crossed the Atlantic Ocean in less than four days. On Wednesday, it sank in five hours. The SS United States, launched in 1951 and longer than the RMS Titanic, once transported four presidents, the Mona Lisa and a slate of 20th century movie stars. After decades spent rusting, and facing the scrap heap, its minders settled on a deal to turn the vessel into what's expected to be the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Okaloosa County, Fla. Crews removed plugs in the ship's hull, allowing it to fill with water without the use of explosives. After hours of delays, its final moments went quickly. The ship tilted onto its side and dipped below the waves. The sinking marks a bittersweet coda to the era of gleaming behemoths that crossed the seas in elegant fashion. It is also the latest in a