Legendary abandoned cruise ship SS United States left to rot for 30 years could be SUNK on purpose in ambitious new plan
AFTER three decades of sitting abandoned in Philadelphia, the once-iconic ocean liner SS United States may finally find its last purpose beneath the waves.
An ambitious new plan aims to sink the historic ship off the coast of Florida to create the world’s largest artificial reef.
The proposal, still contingent on U.S. District Court mediation, would see the 1,000-foot ship towed from Philadelphia to Florida's Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
There, it would be sunk to provide a new habitat for marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the globe.
The agreement has been negotiated between Okaloosa County, Florida, a local beach, and the SS United States Conservancy, the organization dedicated to preserving the vessel.
In a statement, Okaloosa County emphasised the environmental and economic potential of the project, saying: “The sunken ship will be a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world.”
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But before the SS United States can be submerged, a lengthy cleanup process is required.
The county estimates that it will take over a year to complete environmental remediation on the ship, with an additional six months to a year needed to arrange for its transportation and final deployment.
Once considered the fastest cruise liner in the world, the SS United States was originally constructed in the 1950s to move troops during wartime.
It later carried dignitaries and celebrities, including John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney, across the Atlantic.
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But after a series of ownership changes, the ship has sat dormant in Philadelphia since 1996, the subject of various failed revitalisation efforts.
The owners for the derelict 1,000 foot ship were previously ordered to find the historic vessel a new home after they stopped paying rent in 2021.
The SS United States had until September 12 to leave its berth on the Delaware River.
The decision by U.S District Judge Anita Brody put an end to the years-old dispute between the conservancy that owns the cruise liner and its landlord Penn Warehousing.
But now, if the current plan succeeds, the ship will offer a new life as a habitat for marine species.
It could also generate millions in tourism revenue, benefiting local businesses like scuba shops, fishing charters, and hotels.
"This will be an exciting addition to our artificial reefs and wrecks, and will provide essential habitat for fish," said Jennifer Adams, Okaloosa County’s tourism director.
The project also includes plans to open a land-based museum honoring the ship’s history, funded by Okaloosa County and operated by the SS United States Conservancy.
While the idea of sinking the ship was once met with resistance, some conservation advocates are now embracing the plan.
Susan Gibbs, head of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s designer, acknowledged the emotional shift.
"It’s not what I initially envisioned after spending years trying to save her," she told .
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But she now sees the reef project as an opportunity to "write a new chapter for the SS United States as a world-class destination."
If all goes to plan, the SS United States will soon embark on its final voyage - this time, to become a unique underwater landmark and a beacon for marine conservation.
SS United States timeline
THE SS United States is a historic ocean liner that was launched in 1952 and became an icon of transatlantic travel, known for its impressive speed and luxury.
Here's a timeline of its history:
1940s-1950s: Conception and Construction
- 1941: U.S. government commissions ship designer William Francis Gibbs to design the SS United States as part of a post-World War II naval project. The ship is intended to serve as both a luxury liner and a troop transport.
- 1950: Construction begins at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.
- 1952: The SS United States is completed, costing approximately $78 million (partly funded by the U.S. government). The ship is designed to be the fastest and safest ocean liner ever built, with the ability to convert into a troop carrier if needed.
1952: Record-Breaking Maiden Voyage
- July 3, 1952: The SS United States sets sail on her maiden voyage from New York to Southampton, England. She breaks the transatlantic speed record, crossing in just 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, capturing the coveted Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.
1950s-1960s: Golden Years
- 1952-1969: The SS United States serves as the pride of American ocean liners, transporting heads of state, celebrities, and high-profile passengers, including John F. Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Walt Disney. The ship is renowned for its luxury, speed, and state-of-the-art design.
1969: End of Service
- 1969: With the rise of air travel, the SS United States becomes less profitable and is withdrawn from service. She completes her last commercial voyage on November 14, 1969.
1970s-1990s: Dormancy and Uncertain Future
- 1978: The ship is sold to private owners with the hope of converting it into a cruise liner, but the plan is never realised.
- 1984: The SS United States is stripped of her interior fittings in a bid to cut maintenance costs.
- 1992: Norwegian Cruise Line purchases the ship with the intent of refurbishing her as a cruise ship, but these plans also fall through.
- 1996: The SS United States is towed to Philadelphia and docked there, where she has remained unused since.
2000s-present: Preservation Efforts and Future Planning
- 2003: The SS United States Conservancy is founded by Susan Gibbs (granddaughter of the ship's designer) to preserve the vessel and find a sustainable future for it.
- 2011: The SS United States Conservancy purchases the ship for $3 million, preventing her from being scrapped.
- 2015: Crystal Cruises expresses interest in restoring the SS United States but ultimately abandons the project due to high costs.
- 2021: The owners for the derelict 1,000 foot ship stopped paying rent
- 2022: The dock owners terminated the lease in March 2022.
- 2024: A decision by decision by U.S District Judge Anita Brody set that the SS United States' owners will need to find the historic vessel a new home.