Historic Ocean Liner Sets Sail from Philadelphia on Journey to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef

The iconic, aging ocean liner that a county in Florida intends to convert into the largest artificial reef worldwide set sail from the Delaware River waterfront in South Philadelphia on Wednesday, marking the first leg of its last journey.

The SS United States, a 1,000-foot long ship that established the transatlantic speed record during its maiden voyage in 1952, is currently being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for necessary preparations before it will be sunk off the Gulf Coast of Florida.

This development follows a resolution to a long-standing rent dispute between the conservancy responsible for the vessel and its landlord. Officials had originally planned to relocate the ship last November, but concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard about the vessel’s stability delayed those plans.

Authorities in Okaloosa County, located in Florida’s Panhandle, are hopeful that the vessel will stand out covered in barnacles among over 500 artificial reefs in the area, becoming a premier diving destination that could bring in millions in annual tourism for local scuba shops, charter fishing boats, and hotels.

Officials estimate that the acquisition of the ship could exceed $10 million. The process of cleaning, transporting, and ultimately submerging the vessel is projected to take at least a year and a half.

Once hailed as a marvel of American ingenuity, the SS United States also served as a military ship capable of transporting thousands of troops. During its maiden journey, it set the transatlantic speed record in both directions, averaging 36 knots (just over 41 mph), as reported by The Associated Press from onboard the ship. It crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, beating the RMS Queen Mary’s record by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner.

“The ship will always represent our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience,” stated Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer. “We extend our wishes for ‘fair winds and following seas’ as she embarks on her momentous journey to her new location.”

The SS United States was designated as a reserve ship in 1969 and subsequently changed hands among multiple private owners who sought to redevelop it. However, their plans ultimately proved too costly or ill-timed, leaving the vessel sitting in South Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront for years.

By Bruce Shipkowski