SS United States embarks on its final voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef

Once the fastest and most advanced ocean liner, SS United States is set to end its journey in a remarkable way. Rather than being scrapped, the legendary vessel will be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef, attracting marine life and divers from across the globe.

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26 february 2025   |   09:09   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

The history of SS United States

SS United States, an American transatlantic liner, was built in 1952 at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia at a cost of $76 million. On its maiden voyage that same year, the ship claimed the coveted Blue Riband, setting a record with an eastbound speed of 35.59 knots and a westbound speed of 34.51 knots. However, the vessel was retired from service in 1969.

SS United States’ final journey

On Wednesday, the historic ocean liner SS United States, once a symbol of American engineering and transatlantic dominance, departed from its longtime berth on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The ship is making its final voyage to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo preparatory work before being scuttled off the coast of Florida. Once submerged, it will become the world’s largest artificial reef.

The project, spearheaded by Okaloosa County officials in Florida, aims to create a major diving attraction while boosting local tourism. The wreck will join an existing network of over 500 artificial reefs, providing a thriving habitat for marine life and a premier destination for divers. Estimates suggest that the initiative could generate millions of dollars annually for the region’s tourism industry, benefiting dive centers, charter operators, and hotels.

Cost and preparations for scuttling

The ambitious project comes with a price tag exceeding $10 million and involves an extensive process of environmental cleaning, transportation, and controlled sinking—a procedure expected to take up to 18 months. The decision follows the resolution of a long-standing lease dispute between the SS United States Conservancy and the property owner where the ship was moored.

Design and service history

The U.S. government and the U.S. Navy supported the liner’s construction, granting loans to its owner, United States Lines, due to its potential for rapid military conversion. In the event of war, SS United States could have been repurposed as the largest troop transport or auxiliary cruiser, capable of carrying 14,000 soldiers along with a full division’s equipment. As a result, the ship’s design and specifications were highly classified.

Drawing on World War II naval advancements, the vessel featured a partially double hull, a robust watertight compartment system, and widely spaced engine rooms that powered four massive propellers. The ship was designed for maximum speed and endurance, boasting an official top speed of 36 knots, though in reality, it was capable of reaching 44 knots.

The golden age of SS United States

Constructed using prefabricated modules in a dry dock, the liner had 12 decks and was built with fireproof materials, primarily steel and aluminum. Its maiden voyage took place on July 3, 1952, sailing from New York to Le Havre and Southampton. The ship enjoyed immense popularity, operating at over 90% occupancy. In its first two years alone, it transported 140,000 passengers at an average cruising speed of 30.73 knots.

The decline of transatlantic ocean liners

By the mid-1960s, transatlantic travel by sea was rapidly declining due to rising operational costs and the growing dominance of commercial aviation. In 1970, nearly 8.5 million people crossed the North Atlantic, but only 250,000 (about 3%) did so by ship. This shift ultimately led to the demise of ocean liners, including SS United States.

Later years and preservation efforts

Following its withdrawal from service in 1969, SS United States changed hands multiple times. In 1992, it was towed to Turkey and later Ukraine for asbestos removal. Since 1996, the vessel had been moored in Philadelphia, awaiting a final decision on its fate.

In 1999, the SS United States Foundation and SS United States Conservancy successfully listed the ship as a National Historic Landmark, preventing its immediate scrapping.

In 2003, Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the vessel with plans to return it to service, but the project was ultimately abandoned.

SS United States – a lasting legacy

SS United States was the last transatlantic liner to win the Blue Riband. Although it lost the record in 1990 to the catamaran Hoverspeed Great Britain, it still holds the title for the fastest westbound crossing.

The decision to sink such an iconic ship has sparked mixed reactions among maritime enthusiasts. While some view it as a fitting conclusion to the ship’s illustrious career, others regret that it could not be preserved as a floating museum.

Nevertheless, even beneath the waves, SS United States will remain a testament to engineering excellence and maritime history.

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