SS United States to Leave Philadelphia After Nearly Three Decades, Bound for Artificial Reef Fate

The SS United States, a historic ocean liner that has been a fixture on the Philadelphia waterfront since 1996, is set to leave the city next week. On November 14, tugboats will move the ship from Pier 82 to nearby Pier 80 during high tide, preparing it for its final journey. The following morning, during low tide, the ship will begin its travels down the Delaware River, marking the start of a two-week trip to Mobile, Alabama.

The vessel’s departure involves a complex logistical process, including passing under the Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Delaware Memorial bridges. These bridges will be temporarily closed to reduce driver distraction and ensure safe passage of the ship.

Once in Mobile, the SS United States will undergo remediation to remove hazardous materials and modifications to prepare it to become the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida coast. This process is expected to take about a year. The ship will eventually be sunk upright to create an underwater tourist attraction and habitat for marine life.

The decision to convert the ship into an artificial reef follows years of efforts to preserve it. Previous plans, including a $700 million overhaul by Crystal Cruises in 2016, never materialized. The SS United States Conservancy, which previously owned the ship, had hoped to see it repurposed as a hotel or other landmark but ultimately settled on the reef plan to avoid scrapping the vessel.

Okaloosa County, Florida, which acquired the ship for $1 million, is committed to preserving its history and is working with the conservancy to build a museum. The public can track the ship’s journey online through a GPS device installed on the vessel.

For those interested in witnessing the ship’s departure, several viewing locations have been recommended, including the IKEA parking lot in Philadelphia and waterfront public parks in New Jersey. However, viewers are advised to respect any closed areas and follow parking guidelines.