- Iconic Ocean Liner SS United States Embarks on Final Journey.
- From Atlantic Champion to Gulf Reef: The SS United States Transformation.
- Historic Ship Heads to Gulf of Mexico for Artificial Reef Project.
In 1952, the SS United States became the world’s fastest ocean liner, crossing the Atlantic Ocean eastbound in just three days and ten hours. Now, decades after this historic run, the ship is set to embark on its final journey—to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, where it will become an artificial reef.
Preservation Efforts End in Financial Dispute
For more than 30 years, the SS United States has idled off Philadelphia Awaiting restoration. Even extensive preservation efforts undertaken by the SS United States Conservancy were unable to prevent a dispute over some $800,000 of back rent with its Philadelphia pier landlord from sinking the chances of saving the ship. In October, the Conservancy voted to sell the vessel to Okaloosa County in Florida’s Panhandle for $10 million. WPVI reports that the county is to construct an artificial reef off of Destin-Fort Walton Beach by transforming the historic liner into a tourist attraction for divers. A land-based museum and visitor centre will also pay tribute to the rich heritage and history of the ship.
Preparing for Departure from Philadelphia
On November 14, for the first time in more than three decades, the SS United States was moved from its Philadelphia dock. WPVI explains, “The process will begin around 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 14, with tugboats manoeuvring the vessel to the north side of the slip and securing it to Pier 80. The ship will remain in that position until the next low tide, which is expected to be the following morning. On Friday, officials said they expect low tide around 7 a.m. At that point, The Walt Whitman Bridge, Commodore Barry Bridge and the Delaware Memorial Bridge will all be shut down as the SSUS is towed down the river into the Delaware Bay.”
A New Life Underwater
Once in Mobile, Alabama, the SS United States will be moored for final preparations to be submerged as the world’s largest artificial reef. It is the latest example of a growing trend, much like that of the New York City Subway project which sent more than 1,000 decommissioned Brightliner cars to the Atlantic Coast to create marine habitats.
WPVI reports that many of the cars began to disintegrate after only a few months, but optimism is high that the SS United States, with its larger size and strength, will survive as one that will remain a long-time attraction for divers and an innovative marine ecosystem.
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Source: Jalopnik
