The venerable ocean liner, slated to become the world's largest artificial reef by a Florida county, commenced its final journey from Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront this Wednesday.
The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel renowned for shattering transatlantic speed records during its 1952 maiden voyage, is being towed to Mobile, Alabama. There, it will undergo preparatory work before being sunk off Florida's Gulf Coast.
This event follows a resolution of a years-long rent dispute between the conservancy managing the ship and its landlord, four months prior. An initial move was planned for last November but was postponed due to U.S. Coast Guard concerns regarding the ship's stability for the voyage.
Officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, envision it as a unique, barnacle-covered attraction among the area's existing 500+ artificial reefs. They anticipate it will become a prime diving destination, potentially generating millions in annual tourism revenue for local businesses such as scuba shops, charter fishing boats, and hotels.
The acquisition of the ship is projected to exceed $10 million. The extensive undertaking, including cleaning, transport, and sinking, is estimated to span at least 18 months.
Once hailed as a symbol of American engineering prowess, the SS United States also served as a military transport capable of carrying thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage set a transatlantic speed record in both directions, averaging 36 knots, or 41 mph (66 kph). It crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, surpassing the RMS Queen Mary's record by 10 hours. The SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
"The ship will forever symbolize our nation's strength, innovation, and resilience," stated Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the vessel's naval architect. “We wish her 'fair winds and following seas' on her historic journey to her new home."
Decommissioned as a reserve ship in 1969, the SS United States was subsequently acquired by various private owners with redevelopment plans. However, these plans proved too costly or ill-timed, leaving the ship docked for years on Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront.