After a 12-day jaunt from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, the almighty SS United States ocean liner is nearly ready to be sunk.
The iconic vessel will become the world's largest man-made reef just off the coast of Destin, Florida.
The ship was built in 1950 for United States Lines, an American fleet corporation created to operate German liners seized during and after World War I. The ships were owned by the United States Shipping Board (USSB), a government entity, until 1921 when the fleet went private.
United States Lines went bankrupt in 1989 and liquidated its assets by 1992. The SS United States was decommissioned in 1969 during financial turmoil at the company and was towed to Philadelphia in 1996 after the company ceased all operations. Despite efforts to revive the vessel through various fundraising campaigns, she was evicted from her pier in February 2024. Okaloosa County, Florida, purchased the derelict ship after her eviction and will sink her off the coast of Destin.
She is the largest ocean liner ever fully constructed in the United States with a length of 990 feet (302 m).
The United States went into service in 1952 thanks to a government subsidy paying for her construction. She was no slouch. To this day, the ship still holds the record as the fastest ocean liner ever built. She set the trans-Atlantic speed record and captured the iconic Blue Riband from Queen Mary during her maiden voyage in 1952. The Blue Riband is an unofficial accolade given to the world's fastest passenger liner for crossing the Atlantic with the highest average speed. The award is highly coveted, even among recreational boaters, with offshore legends like Tom Gentry and his Gentry Eagle gaining major acclaim for trying to set the record in the 1990s.
The ship was guided to a temporary berth at the Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) facility in Mobile, Alabama where she'll undergo final preparations before being scuttled.
“In keeping with her record-breaking legacy, America’s flagship finished her journey from Philadelphia to Mobile sooner than expected,” said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy. “As she cut through the waves for the first time in 28 years, she captivated countless admirers along the eastern seaboard, inspiring awe with her grandeur and beauty.”
The 1,800 mile (2900 km) journey took her on a 'coast hugging' route with a large tug pulling upfront. The tug's captain, Mike Vinik, will lead her 401st, and final, voyage. Aside from some initial bad weather near Virginia, the trip was mostly smooth, and Vinik managed to navigate the liner through the Gulf Stream with minimal trouble.
Spectators have been flocking to various vantage points along the route to catch a glimpse of the unusual convoy. One of her most captured moments happened when the Utopia of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, altered its course to meet the liner. The 1188-foot cruise ship, with a gross tonnage of 236,473, still manage to dwarf the 53,329 gross ton United States.
The United States arrived overnight on March 3rd to a prep location off the coast of Mobile. The group was forced to wait for daylight in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations which doesn't allow for 'dead ship' towing at night. She entered Mobile Bay later on March 3rd where local tugs helped pivot her into her final position.
In preparation for her scuttling, the United States will undergo a few last minute alterations, including removing the remaining fuel tanks. Loose paint and other exterior hazards will also be stripped away to protect the environment. Some of her hardware, including her radar mast, cargo posts, and windows will also be removed.
Okaloosa County in Florida purchased the United States as part of a $10.1 million deal that includes relocating the ship, scuttling it, and building a $1 million seaside museum that chronicles its history.
The ship is expected to remain in Mobile for about a year before she'll finally go down.
You can see the SS United States getting ready for her final preparations in the video below:
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