The SS United States, a once glamorous ocean liner that surpasses the Titanic in size and holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing, is preparing for its final departure. This ultimate journey will conclude off the coast of Florida as “America’s Flagship” evolves into the world’s largest artificial reef.

This ending carries a mix of emotions — the ship is beyond saving, yet it won’t face destruction.

Between 1952 and 1969, numerous American presidents, Hollywood icons, and other famous individuals traveled to Europe aboard this luxurious liner, before air travel became the norm. Since its retirement in 1978, various attempts to generate profit from the ship have failed.

Despite this, the ship continues to enchant many, according to Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, a nonprofit that acquired the vessel in 2011 in hopes of restoring it.

“It remains an incredible point of interest for people worldwide,” Gibbs notes.

Today, visitors frequently come to Philadelphia to catch a glimpse of the ship, and artists often set up to capture its image. “We receive crayon drawings of the ship from children,” she adds.

The ship was initially supposed to leave on Friday, but its departure has been postponed due to weather conditions and necessary planning checks, as announced by officials from Okaloosa County, Florida, on November 12. A revised date has not yet been announced.

Where is the SS United States heading?

Once the departure occurs, four tractor tugs and one lead tug will navigate the 990-foot-long liner – which is 108 feet longer than the Titanic – from South Philadelphia down the Delaware River to the coast, according to Okaloosa County officials in a statement to YSL News.

The journey to tow the SS United States to Mobile, Alabama, via tugboat will take about two weeks since the ship’s engines are inoperable. The tugboat will guide the vessel closer to the shore to avoid strong ocean currents.

Once it arrives, the ship will dock at Modern American Recycling Services – MARS – a firm that specializes in ship salvage and related marine activities. It will stay there for a year as preparations are made for its sinking in the Gulf of Mexico off Okaloosa County’s shores.

During this time, workers will remove contaminants and non-metal items from aboard the ship, as reported by marineinsight.com. The funnels, radar mast, and other structures are planned to be taken off, with some components aimed to become part of a future museum.

Where will the SS United States be submerged?

Officials from Okaloosa County are currently determining the exact location for the ship’s sinking. It is anticipated to be approximately 20 miles south of the Florida Panhandle region, specifically in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, as noted by the Pensacola News Journal.

To facilitate the sinking, holes will be cut into the hull to allow water to fill the ship. It is expected to take five hours or more for the liner to completely sink below the water surface.

The vessel will rest upright on the ocean floor, eventually transforming into a habitat for marine life and aiding in the prevention of shoreline erosion.

In recent years, Okaloosa County has placed a high priority on acquiring and submerging ships using funds from tourist development taxes, which has bolstered diving tourism in the Destin area, according to the News Journal.

The county reached an agreement in October to purchase the SS United States for $1 million, as part of a broader budget of $10.1 million allocated for its transformation into an artificial reef, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.

The liner will join other vessels in the Gulf region that have been intentionally sunk to create reefs, including the USS Oriskany, an 888-foot U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that was sunk 22.5 nautical miles off the Pensacola Pass in May 2006. The carrier has since become a renowned, albeit challenging, dive site for scuba enthusiasts.

New museum to honor the ship’s legacy

The SS United States showcases exceptional engineering; it is noted as the longest and largest ocean liner ever constructed in the U.S. and holds an unbeaten transatlantic speed record, according to YSL News.

Okaloosa County plans to collaborate with the SS United States Conservancy to establish a museum and visitor center that will celebrate the ship and its storied past. This museum is envisioned to house “hopefully both of her funnels, the radar mast, and additional components,” Gibbs shares.

Although the location is yet to be determined, the museum will be situated in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach region, as reported by United Press International.

While still in its early stages, the museum is intended to complement the reef and will be designed as an engaging space that narrates the history of the ship and its significance in American history, states Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs.

The Conservancy plans to showcase artifacts and documents collected over time, enhancing the visitor experience with modern technology, including virtual reality, according to their statements.

“We are in the early stages of conceptualizing an improved experience for guests,” Gibbs notes. “What historical moments should we transport them to? Perhaps the inaugural voyage, where you can feel the wind on the bridge?”

The upcoming artificial reef and museum is expected to draw numerous visitors, including scuba divers and fishermen, ultimately benefiting the local economy.

What distinguishes the SS United States from the RMS Titanic?

The SS United States will always be compared to the RMS Titanic. For context, the SS United States commenced its maiden voyage in 1952, a full 40 years after the Titanic disaster.

Constructed in the United States, the SS United States was touted as “the safest passenger ship ever built,” unlike the so-called ‘unsinkable’ Titanic,” as noted by the Conservancy. This vessel was constructed with materials that were fire-resistant.

Equipped with 24 lifeboats and extra flotation rafts, the ship could accommodate 4,060 passengers, which is over 1,000 more than its maximum booked capacity, according to the Conservancy.

What led to the SS United States’ demise?

Despite its impressive legacy, the SS United States could not be salvaged. The expenses became overwhelming.

Constructed in the post-World War II era, there was a growing demand for international travel, and ocean liners were deemed crucial for swiftly moving troops overseas.

The ship’s construction kicked off in 1950, with the U.S. government partially funding it, intending for it to function as a troop carrier if necessary. It had the capacity to transport 14,000 soldiers across 10,000 miles without needing to refuel, according to gcaptain.com. Fortunately, it never had to do so.

The vessel’s inaugural journey commenced on July 3, 1952, setting a new speed record for trans-Atlantic crossings in both directions. Over the subsequent 17 years, it embarked on around 400 round trips, as Gibbs mentions.

However, as air travel gained popularity, the number of bookings plummeted, resulting in financial losses for the owner, United States Lines. Consequently, the SS United States was taken out of service in November 1969.

From 1978 to 2009, the ship changed hands multiple times, and since 1996, it has been docked along the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

In 2011, the SS United States was acquired by the SS United States Conservancy, which aimed to rescue the ship and transform it into a floating hotel or other tourist attraction on the East Coast. Unfortunately, funding fell through, leading to the liner’s sale to Okaloosa County in 2024.

Interested in more information?

• You can monitor the journey of the SS United States to Mobile, Alabama, with this online map from Oklaloosa County, which will be active once the ship departs Philadelphia. Click here: https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus/
• The SS United States Conservancy will provide updates on its website regarding the ship’s museum and the planned site for the artificial reef. Click here: https://www.ssusc.org/