The classic ocean liner SS United States’s departure from the Philadelphia dock it has called home for decades has been delayed once again.
The scheduled departure from Pier 82 today, November 15, was postponed because of a tropical weather system now forming near the Gulf of Mexico.
Ocean Liner Will Become Florida Artificial Reef
The ship has to be towed around the Florida coastline to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for its final journey back to Okaloosa County, Florida. There, it will be sunk to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
A new departure date has not yet been given. In Mobile, the ship will be partly dismantled to remove any hazardous materials in preparation for its sinking. The journey from Philadelphia to Mobile is expected to take about two weeks.
The ship’s new owner responded to the delay. “Like most large, multi-faceted operations, this move involves coordination with multiple agencies and dates, times, and other logistics are subject to change to make certain the vessel is moved safely,” Okaloosa County officials said.
Okaloosa County bought the vessel, once known as “America’s flagship,” for about $10 million from the USS United States Conservancy. The Conservancy had spent several months in vain searching for a new home for the ocean liner from the 1950s era.
A land-based museum dedicated to the ship’s history will be built near the reef site as part of the deal. SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record for a passenger liner, which it achieved more than 70 years ago.
The ship had called Philadelphia home since 1996 until a legal dispute over dock fees. After various hearings, a federal judge ruled the SS United States had to move and find a new home. The USS United States Conservancy spent months securing a new permanent berth.
