Historic SS United States Begins Journey to New Home

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The historic SS United States, a famed ocean liner, is set to leave its South Philadelphia dockyard early Saturday morning after a months-long delay due to concerns over its seaworthiness. The ship will be towed down the Delaware River, passing under the Walt Whitman Bridge around 4 a.m. and the Commodore Barry Bridge five hours later, officials said.

Plans call for the ship to be moved to an adjacent pier around 8:21 p.m. Thursday, where it will remain until its departure. The Delaware River Port Authority, which manages the Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry bridges, announced that traffic will be paused briefly to minimize driver distraction as the ship passes beneath both bridges.

The SS United States is expected to take two weeks to reach Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for scuttling in the Gulf of Mexico, recently renamed the Gulf of America by President Donald Trump. The ship will become an artificial reef, preserving its history while creating the world’s largest artificial reef.

“We are happy to be moving on to the next step in creating the world’s largest artificial reef and preserving the amazing history of the SS United States,” said officials from Okaloosa County, Florida, in a statement.

The ship’s departure was initially planned for December but was delayed by the U.S. Coast Guard due to concerns about its condition, including an oily residue and a potentially compromised tank in its port wing. Okaloosa officials confirmed Wednesday that all necessary safety requirements have been met.