After nearly three decades of being docked at a pier in Philadelphia, the legendary SS United States has finally set sail on a historic journey. However, this voyage is not a return to the grandeur of its heyday but rather a final trip to its next chapter—being transformed into the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida coast. This decision marks the end of an era for the last surviving ocean liner of its kind, an emblem of American maritime history, and the fastest passenger ship to ever cross the Atlantic.
A Long-Awaited Departure
The SS United States had been stationed at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia for 28 years, an enduring yet fading presence along the Delaware River. On Friday, during high tide, the ship was carefully moved from its longtime berth to Pier 80 as the first phase of its relocation process began. Then, today, it officially embarked on a two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama, where preparations for its transformation into an artificial reef will commence.
This monumental move was long in the making, with several delays due to logistical and legal issues. The departure, which had been rescheduled multiple times due to weather conditions and concerns over bridge clearance, finally became a reality. As the ship sailed down the Delaware River, it passed under major bridges, including the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76), the Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), and the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295). To ensure a smooth passage, temporary traffic stops were implemented on some of these bridges to minimize distractions for drivers.
A Symbol of Innovation and Strength
Susan Gibbs, the president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer, shared a heartfelt statement about the vessel’s legacy. She emphasized how the SS United States represented a postwar high-water mark for American engineering, innovation, and ambition. Launched in 1951 as both a luxury liner and a top-secret, high-speed troop transport, the ship was an embodiment of national resilience and ingenuity.
“Now under the care of new owners, the ship will forever symbolize our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience. During this period of intense political polarization, America’s Flagship illustrates the power and the promise of coalescing around a common cause,” said Gibbs.
The Future as an Artificial Reef
In October 2024, officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, acquired the SS United States for $10 million. Their plan? To sink the ship off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, turning it into an artificial reef that will not only support marine life but also attract divers and tourism. Alongside this underwater transformation, there are plans for a land-based museum and visitor center that will preserve the ship’s legacy and artifacts.
Gibbs and her team are dedicated to creating an interactive museum experience that will merge modern technology with original pieces from the SS United States. Some of the ship’s most recognizable features, including one or both of its funnels and the radar mast, may be incorporated into the exhibit.
“This next chapter of the SS United States’ story will bring tens of thousands of people annually from around the world to experience her,” Gibbs stated.
A Storied Past
Originally designed as a high-speed troop transport in case of war, the SS United States was eventually repurposed as a passenger liner. During its 17 years of active service, it was hailed as the fastest ocean liner in the world, breaking transatlantic speed records that still stand today.
Among its passengers were notable figures, including four U.S. Presidents—Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and a young Bill Clinton—as well as celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney, Coco Chanel, Judy Garland, and Sean Connery. The ship was not just a marvel of engineering; it was a floating palace that symbolized the pinnacle of mid-century luxury and travel.
A Bittersweet Farewell
The departure of the SS United States was met with a mixture of emotions. Dozens of spectators braved the cold to gather along Christopher Columbus Boulevard in South Philadelphia, watching as the vessel left its longtime home for the last time. Many had grown up seeing the ship docked along the river, turning it into a familiar landmark.
“We’re pretty sad about it because it’s something that every single time we pass by, I always point it out to my daughters,” said Melissa Espinal, a South Philadelphia resident.
For Warren Jones, a former passenger of the ship in the 1950s, the moment was particularly poignant. “There’s some positive feelings. We know her future now. It was uncertain for several years, and we know her future now. That’s comforting. But it’s a sad day. This was her home for almost 30 years.”
Russell Frisbie, another former passenger, recalled sailing on the ship as a child. “It was used to transport private individuals, U.S. government employees, and their families,” he reminisced.
Mixed Reactions to the Artificial Reef Project
Not everyone was thrilled about the decision to sink the SS United States as an artificial reef. Some lamented the loss of the opportunity to repurpose it as a hotel, casino, or museum in Philadelphia.
“I think it would have been really nice to see it stay here and become something,” said Jillian Johnston of Northeast Philadelphia. “There were talks of it becoming a hotel, a casino, or a restaurant. That would have been really nice, but the cost was just astronomical.”
Others, however, saw the artificial reef project as a fitting way to preserve the ship’s legacy.
“I imagine it will increase the fish population and create a home, a habitat that could use it,” said Christopher Devern, a fishing enthusiast from Northeast Philadelphia. “I like to fish a lot myself.”
John Rice from Aston expressed interest in learning how to dive just so he could visit the ship’s new underwater home. “At least the ship is getting repurposed,” he said. “It’s not going to a scrapyard. It will be something you can maybe see one day.”
A New Life Beneath the Waves
The artificial reef initiative is part of Okaloosa County’s broader effort to enhance marine ecosystems and boost local tourism. With over 570 artificial reef structures already in place, the SS United States will be the largest addition to this network. Once submerged, the ship will rest about 180 feet below the surface, with its highest points sitting at approximately 50 to 55 feet deep, making it an accessible diving site for underwater explorers.
Jennifer Adams, the tourism director for Okaloosa County, highlighted the ship’s significance to their reef system. “She’ll be 180 feet down, but her top deck, because the stacks will come off, will be at about 50 to 55 feet,” Adams explained.
Conclusion
The SS United States is embarking on a journey unlike any other in its storied history. From a groundbreaking transatlantic liner to a long-standing fixture of the Philadelphia waterfront, it will soon take on a new role beneath the waves, fostering marine life and attracting divers from around the world. While its departure brings a sense of loss for those who cherished its presence in Philadelphia, it also offers a sense of closure and a new purpose for the vessel. In its final transformation, the SS United States will continue to make history—not as a ship sailing the seas, but as a monument to resilience, innovation, and the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and the ocean.
