The famous ship SS United States has left Philadelphia for its last journey. It will soon become the world’s largest artificial reef. This 1,000-foot ship, known for setting speed records in the 1950s, is now traveling to Mobile, Alabama. There, it will be prepared before being placed underwater off the coast of Florida.
A Storied Past
The SS United States was launched in 1951 and was a great achievement in American engineering. Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs, it served as both a luxury cruise ship and a potential military transport, able to carry up to 14,000 troops for 10,000 miles without refueling. In 1952, on its first journey, it set a transatlantic speed record by crossing the ocean in just three days, ten hours, and forty minutes a record still unbeaten today. Over the years, many famous people, including Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, and Walt Disney, traveled on the ship. However, as air travel became more popular, the ship was retired in 1969 and had been docked in Philadelphia since 1996.
Transition to an Artificial Reef
In October 2024, Okaloosa County, Florida, purchased the SS United States with plans to create an artificial reef to enhance marine biodiversity and attract diving tourism. The project, estimated to cost over $10 million, involves towing the vessel to Mobile for a year-long process of removing hazardous materials and modifying the structure to ensure it settles upright on the ocean floor. Once preparations are complete, the ship will be towed approximately 20 miles off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and intentionally sunk in waters ranging from 60 to 180 feet deep.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Artificial reefs serve as habitats for a variety of marine life, promoting biodiversity and offering new opportunities for recreational activities such as scuba diving and fishing. The addition of the SS United States to Florida’s Gulf Coast reef system is expected to boost local tourism, generating significant revenue for businesses in the area. Similar projects, like the sinking of the USS Oriskany off the coast of Florida in 2006, have demonstrated positive economic and environmental outcomes.
Challenges and Preparations
The journey to repurpose the SS United States has faced several challenges, including legal disputes over docking fees and concerns about the ship’s structural integrity. In late 2024, a federal judge ordered the removal of the vessel from its Philadelphia pier, prompting the sale to Okaloosa County. Before its departure, the U.S. Coast Guard required assurances regarding the ship’s stability for towing, leading to additional inspections and preparations. The towing operation, expected to take approximately two weeks, involves navigating under several bridges along the Delaware River, necessitating precise timing to accommodate the ship’s towering smokestacks.
A New Chapter Beneath the Waves
As the SS United States starts its final journey, it moves from being a symbol of 20th-century innovation to an important part of marine conservation and recreation. Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer, shared her mixed feelings about the transformation but recognized the importance of giving the ship a meaningful future. Once underwater, the vessel will become a home for marine life and a special diving site where people can explore a piece of American maritime history.
The metamorphosis of the SS United States into an artificial reef exemplifies how historical preservation can align with environmental stewardship, offering benefits to both marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
