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SS United States to begin final journey from Philadelphia to become the world’s largest artificial reef

The historic SS United States, America's fastest ocean liner, will depart Philadelphia on November 14 to begin its transformation into the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, following approval from local, state and federal agencies.
The SS United States, shown at its berth at Philadelphia's Pier 82, will depart November 14 to begin its journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for deployment as an artificial reef off Florida's coast. The 990-foot vessel has been docked in Philadelphia since 1996. (Okaloosa County)

The SS United States, holder of the transatlantic speed record, will begin its final voyage from Philadelphia’s Pier 82 this month, marking the start of its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida Panhandle.

  • The operation to move the 990-foot vessel will begin Thursday, November 14, during high tide at approximately 11:45 a.m., when 6 tugboats will maneuver the ship to Pier 80’s north side, according to Okaloosa County.

The following day, pre-dawn operations will commence to guide the historic liner into the Delaware River during low tide. The process will require temporary closures of three major bridges: the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76), Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), and Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295).

The SS United States, docked at Philadelphia’s Pier 82, begins its final voyage November 14 to become the world’s largest artificial reef off Florida’s coast. (Okaloosa County)

After entering the Atlantic Ocean, two to three tugboats will tow the vessel on an estimated two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo a 12-month preparation process for its new role as an artificial reef.

  • “The preparation in Mobile will include removal of hazardous materials, non-metal parts, and fuel to ensure the deployment is environmentally safe,” according to the announcement. Modifications will also be made to ensure the vessel lands upright underwater.

While the exact deployment location hasn’t been finalized, plans call for positioning the ship approximately 20 miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

Source: Okaloosa County

Okaloosa County will continue its partnership with the SS United States Conservancy to develop a land-based museum in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The museum will showcase iconic features from the ship, including its distinctive funnels and radar mast, along with the Conservancy’s archival collection.

The public can follow the ship’s journey via GPS tracking at www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus.

16 Responses

  1. What a stupid plan for America’s greatest ship.save it. Dint sink it. We piss away money on illegals, foreign wars, etc. We sure as hell can save this ship. Talk to President Trump and Elon Musk!

    1. Past it’s service life, and can now become a home and refuge to untold marine life as well as a fantastic tourist attraction for the diving industry. She will continue to serve…

  2. That’s a brilliant idea! They can go down with the ship to add the essential elements of piracy and treasure to the wreck…

  3. I think it’s crazy seeing something so nice go under its a philadelphia landmark since I recall growing up in always dreamed of being on it or just walking on it to see the history of it agree with Donald Hallocks comment talk to Trump see what he would do to save it don’t sink it plz

  4. It is wrong not to save this ship. It should have been fully restored and put back into service. Remember the SS Norway? This ship could have been better. I can’t say much for the people who created the pressure for the conservatory to come up with an answer by a certain date. The US was busy with the elections and now is the time when the money could have been raised. The plans that were drawn for it to go back into service were great. It could be done now and even made profitable, but a deal has already been signed. How nice it would be if the new owners would recognize this. It won’t last forever they’ll get their eventually

  5. Do not lose faith in your vision and plan no matter what the noisy negative voices say.

    You presented a Place, a Purpose, and a Plan that no one else did!

  6. After 50 years of slowly declining conditions including a sale of all interior contents and then asbestos removal there is no “there there.” Reefing will keep the legend alive for years to come.

  7. There was one other idea that I haven’t seen mentioned with this ship. That is to bury it on land up to the water line. This would make it available to all, not just those able to dive. This would really make the SS United States an attraction for all and a must see tourist destination. Between landscaping and reflection pools this could be really beautiful. With the right people this ship could be beautiful and profitable instead of deteriorating on the bottom. My grandmother and grandfather sailed on the maiden voyage according to some memorabilia I just came across. Even as a reef I hope it works out for everyone.

  8. Growing up and going over to Walt Whitman that was the main thing I always looked for was that beautiful ship I used to park across the street and get as close as I could to it and I could spend all day just admiring that beauty of that ship and now in a week it’s going to be gone it’s going to be a huge void on the Delaware River it’s a shame it has to go but I agree with a lot of comments that it could be saved in other ways besides sinking it
    I blame Penn warehouse for this for pushing and making the ship go
    I give the the people that are responsible for the ship a huge amount of credit for keeping it this long and fighting the way they did
    I am heartbroken and saddened by this and it’s going to be a very sad day when the ship pulls out of port and leaves

  9. All ships eventually go to scrap, the bottom, or rust away to nothing. Our beloved museum ships are no different, they’ve just gotten a temporary reprieve. Even if she were fully restored, which obviously isn’t feasible since no one has done it, she’d still have a finite life. Let her go to be of some use to sea life and divers, a noble end compared to the scrappers torch.

  10. As a truck driver who used to haul for a customer in the area where the SS United States is berthed, I would see her on my way back up 95 north into NJ.
    I was so intrigued by her that I googled her vast maritime history and her achievements. No other ship to date has her transatlantic speed record.
    To scuttle her and make her into a artificial reef….Seriously. what a waste. She deserves much more than this.
    Someone needs to step up and make her a Hustoric Landmark before it is too late.
    That pier 82 in Philadelphia will never get the business out is hoping to replace once the SS United States is gone.
    People will ask, why why on earth would you allow her to leave and become am artificial reef.
    That question will haunt you the rest of your days

  11. Yeah like Trump and Musk could give a flying Philadelphia Phelch about this historic ship! Much better for it to be a museum. Loved the comment how Trump and Musk should do the honorable thing and go down with the SS United States to add the essential elements of piracy and treasure to this great lady’s last days! It’d be a better end than those two scoundrels deserve! Trump will more likely meet Satan on his “Throne” trying vainly to pop a giant fast-food squat just like Elvis! And Elon Musk will probably perish in a Ford Motors Publicity Balloon that some underpaid flunky filled with hydrogen instead of helium! Just saying! PS: Happy Birthday to my U
    S.M.C.!

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