The iconic SS United States, a historic ocean liner, began its final journey on Wednesday, departing from the Delaware River waterfront in South Philadelphia. This marked the beginning of an ambitious plan by a Florida county to transform the vessel into the largest artificial reef in the world.
Measuring 1,000 feet, the SS United States famously set a transatlantic speed record during its first voyage in 1952. Currently being towed to Mobile, Alabama, it will undergo necessary preparations before being sunk off the coast of Florida.
This transition comes after a resolution to a long-standing rental disagreement between the conservancy managing the ship and its landlord, a discussion that had been ongoing for many years. Initial plans called for the vessel’s relocation last November; however, these plans were postponed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the ship’s stability for travel.
Officials in Okaloosa County, located along Florida’s Panhandle, are optimistic that the SS United States will attract divers and tourists, enhancing the area’s more than 500 artificial reefs. They anticipate the ship will become a prominent diving site, bolstering local tourism and contributing millions in revenue for scuba shops, fishing charters, and nearby accommodations.
Purchasing the vessel is projected to exceed $10 million, and the complex process of cleaning, transporting, and ultimately sinking the ship is expected to span a minimum of 18 months.
Once a symbol of American engineering prowess, the SS United States was also utilized as a military transport capable of carrying thousands of troops. During its maiden voyage, it set records while reaching an average speed of 36 knots, equivalent to over 41 miles per hour (66 kilometers per hour). It completed the transatlantic journey in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, surpassing the previous record held by the RMS Queen Mary by ten hours. This impressive feat still makes the SS United States the holder of the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
“This ship will always represent our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience,” remarked Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and the granddaughter of the ship’s naval architect. She wished the vessel “fair winds and following seas” on its historic voyage to a new destination.
Since being designated a reserve ship in 1969, the SS United States has changed hands several times, as various private owners tried to find ways to redevelop it. However, many found the restoration costs to be prohibitively high, leaving the once-majestic vessel inactive at the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia for many years.
