The iconic ocean liner SS United States, which has been subject to various legal challenges in the past two years, finally has its future settled.
The 1950s-built ship will leave its Philadelphia dock, which has been its home for nearly three decades, sail to Okaloosa County, Florida, and be sunk as an artificial reef.
Litigation with Philly Dock Owner Now Settled
The SS United States Conservancy, which owns the ocean line and is responsible for its upkeep, said the legal challenges with Philadelphia dock owner Penn Warehousing have been settled.
“Okaloosa County has now allocated more than $10 million to reactivate the SS United States as the world’s largest artificial reef in tandem with the conservancy’s land-based museum and visitor center,” said SS United States Conservancy President Susan Gibbs. She is the granddaughter of the ship’s designer.
Turning the Ship into a Floating Museum “Not Viable”
Gibbs said the dispute with Penn Warehousing and the subsequent court ruling ordering the ship to find a new home has impacted its preferred choice of turning the ship into a floating museum and mixed-use facility. This was “not viable within our current timetable and logistical constraints,” Gibbs said.
The Conservancy went with Okaloosa County’s solution—turning it into an artificial reef with a land-based museum dedicated to the ship. The museum will feature original artifacts and artwork from the SS United States as well as one or both of the ship’s funnels and radar mast.
“This next chapter of the story will bring tens of thousands of people annually from around the world to experience her,” Gibbs added.
The Conservancy will soon transfer the ship over to Okaloosa County. The cruise liner will then be taken first to a shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, where it will receive extensive prep work ahead of its journey south to Florida and reefing.
