A petition has been launched to save an iconic cruise ship with links to Southampton which is due to be sunk to create the world’s largest artificial reef.

Plans are in place for the SS United States to be sunk to create the worlds largest coral ree off the coast of Florida – but some are determined to stop the vessel being sunk.

Created by the New York Coalition, a petition to save the ship has received more than 7,000 signatures.

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The Coalition has opposed the sinking the SS United States on the grounds that it would destroy historical artefacts and potentially harm Florida's coast due to pollution and underwater corrosion hazards.

It is understood by the Echo that the ship’s owner, Okaloosa County, still plan to sink the vessel as planned.

For 17 years the liner powered through the Atlantic making constant journeys between Southampton and New York.