what time is the ss united states sinking

The intentional sinking of the SS United States began on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, after being scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. ET). Following brief delays at the deployment site off the Florida coast, crews began flooding the vessel shortly after 1:30 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. CT (2:30 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. ET), with all flooding valves officially opened later in the afternoon.

Sinking Timeline & Status

• Rescheduled Date. Okaloosa County officials moved the sinking up by one day from Thursday, November 12, to Wednesday, November 11, due to forecasted heavy winds and unsafe marine conditions.
• Delayed Start. Flooding operations were initially slated for 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. ET). Preparation delays pushed the start of water pumping to around 1:40 p.m. CT (2:40 p.m. ET), and officials confirmed all valves were open shortly before 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Duration. While initial projections estimated a 45-minute descent, officials noted during the operation that filling the 990-foot ocean liner with seawater is a gradual process expected to last several hours before it settles on the Gulf floor.

Location & Viewing Details

• Deployment Site. The ship is being sunk roughly 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where it will rest at a depth of about 180 feet to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
• Live Coverage. You can follow ongoing updates and video feeds through TheSSUS.com, the Pensacola News Journal, and 6abc Philadelphia.