S.S. United States Embarks on Final Journey to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef
After decades of rusting along the Philadelphia waterfront, the iconic S.S. United States, the largest passenger ship ever built in America, has embarked on its final journey. The 990-foot-long ocean liner, affectionately known as the “Big U,” once symbolized postwar luxury and speed. Now, it is on a 14-day voyage that began Wednesday, February 19, heading to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for its ultimate resting place, the New York Times reported.
From Postwar Marvel to Marine Sanctuary
The S.S. United States, once a trans-Atlantic marvel, will soon begin a new chapter as the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida Panhandle. This transformation is set to create a vibrant habitat for marine life, with the ship’s uppermost sections resting 60 feet below the surface. Species such as snappers, urchins, and crabs will call the once-glamorous ship home, fostering biodiversity and boosting the local marine ecosystem.
Alex Fogg, the natural resources chief for Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, expressed optimism about the ship’s future as a diving destination. “The artificial reef is expected to become a top attraction, drawing divers and visitors from around the world,” Fogg said.
A Storied Past of Speed and Glamour
Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs in the early 1950s, the S.S. United States was a technological marvel of its time. It set the record for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing on its maiden voyage, completing the eastbound trip in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes at an average speed exceeding 35 knots—a record that still stands today.
At more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic, the “Big U” ferried four U.S. presidents, hosted jazz legend Duke Ellington and writer Sylvia Plath, and carried thousands of immigrants, tourists, and dignitaries across the Atlantic. The ship completed 800 trans-Atlantic crossings before it was retired in 1969, as the advent of air travel rendered ocean liners less practical for long-distance transportation.
Preservation Hopes Fade
For years, preservationists dreamed of restoring the vessel. However, a federal court order last year forced the S.S. United States Conservancy, the nonprofit that purchased the ship in 2011, to move it from Pier 82 in South Philadelphia. Despite efforts to secure a new home at ports along the East, West, and Gulf Coasts, no viable location could be found.
Because the vessel can no longer move under its own power, five tugboats are guiding it down the Delaware River and Bay. The ship passed under the Walt Whitman Bridge just before low tide, clearing the roadway by less than 10 feet as traffic temporarily halted, according to the New York Times.
A Legacy Beneath the Waves
Once in Mobile, workers will strip the vessel of hazardous materials, including any remaining fuel in its tanks, before it is submerged in approximately 180 feet of water. The reefing process not only honors the ship’s legacy but also promotes marine conservation and tourism in the region.
While the S.S. United States will soon rest beneath the sea, its legacy will continue on land through a planned museum in Okaloosa County, Florida. The museum will incorporate preserved sections of the ship, including at least one of its iconic red, white, and blue funnels, offering future generations a glimpse into the golden age of ocean travel.
The transformation of the S.S. United States from a record-breaking liner to a marine sanctuary underscores a powerful message: Even as the ship fades from the skyline, it will continue to serve, supporting life and inspiring adventure beneath the waves.
