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SS United States is sunk off Florida to become an artificial reef

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 19 outlets across the spectrum.

35 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

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The SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, was deliberately sunk on Wednesday about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin, Florida. Its hull was hollowed out, and it took roughly five hours to fill with water and sink to the seabed. The ship had been inactive for years after various owners tried to save and restore it, and activists had unsuccessfully fought to have it preserved as a museum. Okaloosa County said the wreck will form the world’s largest artificial reef, which is expected to attract divers.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. Editors read every story. How this works

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The coverage spectrum counts the outlets covering a story at each of five points. A short or missing segment means that part of the spectrum is mostly quiet.

Governor Loaded verb“slams”It adds drama to what was said. The governor criticized the lawmakers; “slams” makes it sound like a fight.More neutral: criticizes lawmakers over budget delay

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The 5-point spectrum

Far Left
Voices that strongly advocate for progressive policies and systemic change.
Left
Mainstream liberal perspectives focusing on social equality and regulation.
Center
Sources that prioritize neutral reporting and balanced viewpoints.
Right
Mainstream conservative perspectives focusing on market freedom and tradition.
Far Right
Voices that strongly advocate for conservative values and limited government.

How we measure bias

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

The SS United States was scuttled on Wednesday about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin, Florida, to become an artificial reef.
Across the spectrumReported byLeft4Center3Right2Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
Al Jazeera English, ABC News, NPR, The Guardian
Center
Newsweek, BBC News, PBS NewsHour
Right
Daily Mail, New York Post
Far Right
The Daily Wire, Fox News, Hot Air
The ship’s hull was hollowed out, and it took about five hours to fill with water and sink.
One side only: the leftReported byLeft2See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
Al Jazeera English, The Guardian
Okaloosa County said the wreck will form the world’s largest artificial reef.
Reported byLeft2Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
Al Jazeera English, The Guardian
Center
BBC News
The liner was once the fastest ocean liner in the world and had been inactive for years.
Reported byLeft2Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
Al Jazeera English, The Guardian
Far Right
The Daily Wire
Activists unsuccessfully fought to have the ship preserved and turned into a museum.
Reported byLeft1Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
Left
Al Jazeera English
Center
BBC News

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that the SS United States was scuttled off Destin, Florida, to become an artificial reef. Left and center outlets stress its history and failed preservation efforts, while right-leaning outlets emphasize its legendary status and appeal to divers.

the left
10 outlets
Left-side headlines are mostly plain event or history reports, with Al Jazeera asking why the ship was sunk and NPR framing it as a final voyage.
From ocean legend to undersea reef: Why has the SS United States been sunk?
Al Jazeera EnglishLeftAll left-leaning headlines
the center
3 outlets
Center headlines are plain and event-led, often video or live-watch titles, while the BBC notes that activists failed to save the liner.
Watch: Moment historic ship sinks off the coast of Florida
BBC NewsCenterAll center headlines
the right
6 outlets
Right-side headlines lead with the ship’s legendary status and its new role as a dive site, while the Far Right Daily Wire and Fox stress the sinking itself; the Daily Mail instead highlights its planned hotel or casino use.
Legendary American Ocean Liner Sunk Off Florida To Become Diving Destination
The Daily WireFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

Left0
No loaded words in its own voice.
Center0
No loaded words in its own voice.
Right1
extraordinary fate

In the outlets’ own words

Sensational language
extraordinary fateMore neutral: is to be sunk
The phrase adds drama to a planned sinking that the rest of the sentence describes in neutral terms.
Historic US ship that once ruled the Atlantic faces extraordinary fate near Florida
Used byFox News (Far Right)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

10 outlets

Leads with

the ship’s history and speed
the sinking as a final voyage
the artificial reef

See the 12 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

Al Jazeera EnglishLeft
From ocean legend to undersea reef: Why has the SS United States been sunk?
The ship had been inactive for years despite various owners attempting to save and restore it.
4 hr agoRead at Al Jazeera English (opens in a new tab)
ABC NewsLeft
WATCH: SS United States sinks off of Florida coast to become artificial reef
The ocean liner, larger than the Titanic, was sunk into the ocean to create the world's largest artificial reef.
7 hr agoRead at ABC News (opens in a new tab)
2 more from ABC News
- WATCH: SS United States intentionally sunk off the Gulf Coast of Florida
- WATCH: Historic ocean liner sunk to become artificial reef
NPRLeft
The SS United States takes its final voyage to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico
A ship bigger than the Titanic is being sunk off the coast of Florida to make an artificial reef.
16 hr agoRead at NPR (opens in a new tab)
2 more from NPR
- World's fastest ocean liner is sunk to break another record: largest artificial reef
- SS United States, a historic ship will be sunk to create an artificial reef
The GuardianLeft
Historic ocean liner sunk off the coast of Florida to become artificial reef – video
The historic SS United States ocean liner has marked the end of its journey at sea, as it was sunk off the coast of Florida to become the 'world's largest artificial reef', according to Okaloosa county. …
17 hr agoRead at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
3 more from The Guardian
The Boston GlobeFar Left
The SS United States, a historic supership, sinks to the ocean floor - Clone
But it turned out to be tough to sink the SS United States. In fact, it took years of planning and preparation to reach this point. And some fighting. A preservationist group filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the effort, though a judge dismissed the suit. …
1 day agoRead at The Boston Globe (opens in a new tab)
CBS NewsLeft
SS United States to become world's largest artificial reef
The 1,000-foot long SS United States is being sent to the bottom of the ocean in a controlled, explosive-free sinking that is taking place about 20 nautical miles off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
1 day agoRead at CBS News (opens in a new tab)
3 more from CBS News
The New York TimesLeft
The S.S. United States, a Historic Supership, Heads to the Ocean Floor
The 20th-century ocean liner will become an artificial reef, ending efforts to save a ship that was fast, luxurious and (almost) indestructible. Watch the livestream.
1 day agoRead at The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
1 more from The New York Times
- Recalling the S.S. United States as It Becomes a Florida Reef
ABC NewsLeftAssociated Press report
This ocean liner was the world's fastest. It's being sunk to make the largest artificial reef
An ocean liner that once was the fastest on the seas is headed to its final home on the floor of the Gulf Mexico as the world’s largest artificial reef
2 days agoRead at ABC News (opens in a new tab)
Also published by HuffPost and The Boston Globe. It counts once.
CNNLeft
A once-storied ocean liner is getting a new life as the world’s largest artificial reef
A storied American ocean liner that once set a world record crossing the sea is about to set one beneath it. This month, a series of explosions will blow holes in the former SS United States, sinking it some 25 miles off the Florida panhandle to become the world’s largest …
4 days agoRead at CNN (opens in a new tab)
The Washington PostLeft
SS United States will be sunk, becoming the world’s largest artificial reef
The storied ocean liner that set speed records and carried celebrities is set to take on its new role next week off Florida’s Gulf coast.
4 days agoRead at The Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
HuffPostFar LeftAssociated Press report
SS United States Begins Final Journey To Bottom Of The Gulf Of Mexico
HuffPost published a report that is shown in full at ABC News. The headline is the one HuffPost gave it.
1 day agoRead at HuffPost (opens in a new tab)
The Boston GlobeFar LeftAssociated Press report
This ocean liner was the world’s fastest. It’s being sunk to make the largest artificial reef.
The Boston Globe published a report that is shown in full at ABC News.
1 day agoRead at The Boston Globe (opens in a new tab)
1 more from The Boston Globe
- This ocean liner was the world’s fastest. It’s being sunk to make the largest artificial reef.

From the center

3 outlets

Leads with

the sinking as a visible event
the ship’s long idle years
the new underwater reef

See the 3 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

NewsweekCenter
SS United States Has Just Been Sunk—What Happens Next?
As the SS "United States" becomes an artificial reef, scientists will study how its new marine ecosystem develops.
21 hr agoRead at Newsweek (opens in a new tab)
BBC NewsCenter
Watch: Moment historic ship sinks off the coast of Florida
The SS United States, an historic ocean liner which has been out of commission for decades, will become the world's largest artificial underwater reef.
1 day agoRead at BBC News (opens in a new tab)
1 more from BBC News
- Famed ship SS United States to be sunk off coast of Florida
PBS NewsHourCenterAssociated Press report
WATCH: SS United States, once world's fastest ocean liner, sinks to become reef off Florida
The historic ocean liner SS United States will be intentionally sunk Wednesday off the coast of the Florida panhandle.
1 day agoRead at PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab)
Also published by New York Post. It counts once.

From the right

6 outlets

Leads with

the ship’s legendary status
the wreck as a diving destination
the sinking as a dramatic event

See the 6 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

The Daily WireFar Right
Legendary American Ocean Liner Sunk Off Florida To Become Diving Destination
The SS United States, once the fastest passenger liner in the world and a symbol of American postwar ambition, has reached its final resting place beneath the Gulf of America. …
15 hr agoRead at The Daily Wire (opens in a new tab)
Fox NewsFar Right
Legendary SS United States sinks beneath waves as divers prepare for first look
Video captures the SS United States tilting and sinking into the Gulf of America as divers near Destin, Florida, prepare to explore the massive wreck.
15 hr agoRead at Fox News (opens in a new tab)
1 more from Fox News
- Historic US ship that once ruled the Atlantic faces extraordinary fate near Florida
Hot AirFar Right
SS United States Live Updates: Ship Finally Sinks at 9 p.m.
The SS United States is sinking in the Gulf Wednesday, Nov. 11, about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to become the world's largest artificial reef.
18 hr agoRead at Hot Air (opens in a new tab)
Daily MailRight
Historic ship originally slated to become hotel or casino deliberately sunk of Florida coast
The ship served as an icon, carrying immigrants and celebrities including Walt Disney and John F Kennedy throughout its career between 1952 and 1969.
1 day agoRead at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
The Epoch TimesFar Right
LIVE NOW: The SS United States, Once the World’s Fastest Ocean Liner, to Be Sunk Off Florida’s Gulf Coast
The SS United States, once the world’s fastest ocean liner, is to be sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast on Nov. 11 to make the vessel the world’s largest artificial reef.
1 day agoRead at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
New York PostRightAssociated Press report
Historic SS United States sinks after hours-long goodbye off Florida’s coast
New York Post published a report that is shown in full at PBS NewsHour. The headline is the one New York Post gave it.
1 day agoRead at New York Post (opens in a new tab)

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

Left
First to report
The Washington Post, Nov 8, 5:00 AM EST
Center
3 days 7 hr later
Its first report, Nov 11, 12:54 PM EST
Right
3 days 5 hr later
Its first report, Nov 11, 10:36 AM EST

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order

The Washington PostLeftNov 8, 5:00 AM EST
CNNLeftNov 8, 5:30 AM EST
NPRLeftNov 8, 8:34 AM EST
CBS NewsLeftNov 8, 9:33 AM EST
The GuardianLeftNov 10, 9:05 AM EST
ABC NewsLeftNov 11, 3:37 AM EST
Fox NewsFar RightNov 11, 10:36 AM EST
The Boston GlobeFar LeftNov 11, 12:20 PM EST
PBS NewsHourCenterNov 11, 12:54 PM EST
The New York TimesLeftNov 11, 1:14 PM EST
BBC NewsCenterNov 11, 1:42 PM EST
The Epoch TimesFar RightNov 11, 2:36 PM EST
HuffPostFar LeftNov 11, 7:41 PM EST
Daily MailRightNov 11, 9:37 PM EST
New York PostRightNov 12, 12:01 AM EST
NewsweekCenterNov 12, 6:43 AM EST
Hot AirFar RightNov 12, 9:00 AM EST
The Daily WireFar RightNov 12, 12:39 PM EST
Al Jazeera EnglishLeftNov 12, 11:39 PM EST

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Key points

Compare views

the left

the center

the right

Language to notice

In the outlets’ own words

Side by side

From the left

From ocean legend to undersea reef: Why has the SS United States been sunk?

WATCH: SS United States sinks off of Florida coast to become artificial reef

The SS United States takes its final voyage to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico

Historic ocean liner sunk off the coast of Florida to become artificial reef – video

The SS United States, a historic supership, sinks to the ocean floor - Clone

SS United States to become world's largest artificial reef

The S.S. United States, a Historic Supership, Heads to the Ocean Floor

This ocean liner was the world's fastest. It's being sunk to make the largest artificial reef

A once-storied ocean liner is getting a new life as the world’s largest artificial reef

SS United States will be sunk, becoming the world’s largest artificial reef

SS United States Begins Final Journey To Bottom Of The Gulf Of Mexico

This ocean liner was the world’s fastest. It’s being sunk to make the largest artificial reef.

From the center

SS United States Has Just Been Sunk—What Happens Next?

Watch: Moment historic ship sinks off the coast of Florida

WATCH: SS United States, once world's fastest ocean liner, sinks to become reef off Florida

From the right

Legendary American Ocean Liner Sunk Off Florida To Become Diving Destination

Legendary SS United States sinks beneath waves as divers prepare for first look

SS United States Live Updates: Ship Finally Sinks at 9 p.m.

Historic ship originally slated to become hotel or casino deliberately sunk of Florida coast

LIVE NOW: The SS United States, Once the World’s Fastest Ocean Liner, to Be Sunk Off Florida’s Gulf Coast

Historic SS United States sinks after hours-long goodbye off Florida’s coast

How the coverage built up

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