After several months of setbacks, the SS United States is finally beginning its long-anticipated voyage to its new underwater home off the coast of Florida. The ship’s initial journey will be short, moving from Pier 82 to Pier 80 in Philadelphia, but it marks the first step toward its transformation into the “World’s Largest Artificial Reef” off the Florida Panhandle. After encountering weather delays and a Coast Guard order halting the ship’s departure, the ship’s new owner, Okaloosa County, confirmed that preparations have been completed to move the iconic vessel.
The first stage of the journey is now set for Thursday evening, with the ship expected to depart Philadelphia at 4 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The SS United States will take two weeks to make its way down the East Coast, around the southern tip of Florida, and into Mobile, Alabama, for final preparations. There, it will undergo extensive work, including the removal of hazardous materials, before being sunk off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
This marks the end of an era for the ship, which set the transatlantic speed record in 1952 and carried presidents and priceless artifacts like the “Mona Lisa.” Despite concerns about the ship’s fate, both Okaloosa County and the SS United States Conservancy assure that every measure has been taken to ensure its environmental safety.
Though the journey has been delayed several times, including due to a “Captain of the Port Order” from the Coast Guard, the ship is finally ready for its historic mission. The tentative schedule remains flexible, with timing dependent on weather conditions and other logistical factors. Once completed, the SS United States will serve as a haven for marine life, offering a lasting legacy as both a symbol of American history and a vital ecosystem for the Gulf of Mexico.
Source: Swifteradio.com
