The SS United States, a retired American ocean liner with a long history, measures 1,000 feet in length. It is the largest ocean liner ever constructed entirely in the United States and also held the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing in both directions. Maintaining the record-breaking Atlantic speed set over seventy years ago.
Currently, the once magnificent ocean liner is in a state of disrepair. The SS United States Conservancy and Penn Warehousing have resolved a year-long dispute over dock fees. The vessel is set to be transformed into the world’s largest artificial coral reef in Okaloosa County, Florida.
A federal judge ruled in June that the SS United States Conservancy must submit a plan to move the ship by September 12th. However, due to the alleged damage caused by Penn Warehousing in the sale of the ship, the deadline has passed as the Conservancy filed a lawsuit against them.
Earlier this month, the Conservancy reached a temporary agreement with Okaloosa County, pending a court-mandated mediation to resolve the ongoing dispute over dock fees. The agreement to resolve the dispute was announced last Friday.
On Saturday, October 12th, the Conservancy and county officials gathered at the Philadelphia pier where the ship is docked for a small ownership transfer ceremony. Yet, the transaction with Okaloosa County still awaits final approval from a federal judge.
Officials from Okaloosa County plan to sink the ship and create a landmark diving site, contributing millions of dollars in tourism revenue annually to the local diving shops, charter boats, and hotels through more than 500 artificial coral reefs.
“We can assure you, the SS United States, that you will not be lost, forgotten, neglected, or abused again,” said Thomas Watkins, a member of the Conservancy, bidding farewell to the vessel, “You will be respected, cherished, and cared for in your new home and dimension. You will no longer sail the seas but will be embraced and nurtured by the ocean.”
The purchase of the ship is estimated to cost over $10 million, with cleaning, transportation, and sinking expected to take at least 1.5 years.
Launched in 1952, the SS United States was considered a beacon of American engineering and also served as a military vessel capable of transporting thousands of soldiers. During its maiden voyage in 1952, it broke the transatlantic speed record, averaging 36 knots or just over 41 miles per hour.
In that voyage, the SS United States crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, which was 10 hours faster than the Queen Mary. To this day, the SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record for ocean liners.
The SS United States was taken out of service in 1969 and later passed on to several private owners who hoped to redevelop it. However, the plans were deemed too expensive or untimely, leading the ship to be docked for many years in the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.