SS United States To Leave Philly, Become World's Largest Artificial Reef

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The SS United States, one of the nation's most storied ocean liners which has sat in retirement in Philadelphia for nearly 30 years, will begin its long journey to the coast of northwest Florida on Friday to become the world's largest artificial reef.

The ship will move from Pier 82 to Pier 80, just north of the Walt Whitman Bridge, at around 2:47 p.m.

On Monday morning, Feb. 17, it will then depart down the Delaware River to the bay and start down the Atlantic coast.

It will be the first time the ship, which set the still-standing transatlantic speed record in July 1952, will leave Philadelphia's waters since 1996.

The rusting liner will first go to Mobile, Alabama where it will be stripped of hazardous materials in a process expected to take about a year. It will then be sunk about 20 miles south of Destin, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, as part of the massive reef.

Florida's Okaloosa County purchased the ship, and hopes it will be a boon for the marine ecosystem while helping with coastal erosion and also drawing in tourism, fishermen, and divers.

"As the world’s largest artificial reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," spokespersons for Okaloosa County said in a statement. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure."

"Due to the size and the depth, she will be home to a wide variety of marine life from iconic reef fish such as red snapper to pelagic species of fish like wahoo," the county added. "This new artificial reef will provide bountiful fishing and diving opportunities for the local, visiting and charter industries."

The journey of the ship can be followed via online tracking here.