The iconic and aging ocean liner, the SS United States, began its final journey on Wednesday as it departed from the Delaware River waterfront in south Philadelphia. This event marks the beginning of an ambitious plan by a Florida county to transform the ship into the world’s largest artificial reef.

The impressive 1,000-foot vessel, which set a remarkable transatlantic speed record during its inaugural voyage in 1952, is currently being towed to Mobile, Alabama. There, preparations will be made before the ship is eventually sunk off the Gulf Coast of Florida. This decision follows a resolution between the conservancy managing the ship and its landlord concerning a protracted rent dispute. Previous plans to relocate the ship last November encountered complications due to U.S. Coast Guard concerns regarding its stability for the journey.

Authorities in Okaloosa County, located in Florida’s Panhandle, envision the SS United States becoming a distinctive feature among over 500 artificial reefs in the area, serving as a prime destination for divers. This endeavor could significantly enhance local tourism, potentially generating millions in revenue for scuba shops, charter fishing services, and hotels.

The acquisition of the vessel is estimated to cost upwards of $10 million. The comprehensive process of cleaning, moving, and ultimately sinking the ship is projected to take at least a year and a half.

Once hailed as a pinnacle of American engineering, the SS United States also served as a military ship capable of carrying thousands of troops. On its maiden voyage, it achieved an average speed of 36 knots, surpassing the record held by the RMS Queen Mary by over 10 hours, completing the Atlantic crossing in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes. To this day, it remains the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic.

Susan Gibbs, the president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer, expressed that “the ship will forever symbolize our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience.” She shared her well-wishes for the liner’s journey, saying, “We wish her ‘fair winds and following seas’ on her historic journey to her new home.”

Since becoming a reserve ship in 1969, the SS United States has changed ownership several times as various private entities sought to redevelop it, but high costs and poor timing thwarted those efforts. As a result, the ship has remained a notable presence on the south Philadelphia waterfront for many years.