After months of costly delays, the legendary SS United States, once the fastest ship to cross the Atlantic, finally left its longtime home in Philadelphia on February 19, 2025. Its ultimate destination? The warm waters off Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The fabled ship will be sunk to create the world’s largest artificial reef off of Ft. Walton, —a dream come true for divers and marine life enthusiasts. But getting this iconic ocean liner out of port was no easy feat. The ship, docked at Pier 82 since 1996, was ordered to leave by a federal judge last September 12, 2024, after a long battle over unpaid docking fees. Okaloosa County, Florida, stepped in with a $10.1 million plan to turn the rusty giant into an underwater attraction near Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The goal: boost tourism with a dive site bigger than any other, rivaling spots like the USS Oriskany. Yet, despite the court’s deadline, the ship sat in Philly for over five months, held up by weather, legal tangles, and logistical headaches.
It wasn’t easy getting the SS United States out of port for it’s final journey. The first hiccup came in November 2024. A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico scuttled the initial departure, with officials citing Coast Guard safety rules. “A ship this size can’t move unless conditions are perfect,” said Nick Tomecek, Okaloosa County’s spokesman. December brought another miss— a December 14 deadline slipped by, costing the county a $100,000 penalty as weather and prep work lagged. Then, in February 2025, high winds in Philly pushed the exit date twice in one week. Slated for February 17, it slid to February 18, then to February 19 when gusts threatened the tow under bridges like the Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry.
“Weather was the big holdup,” said Nick Tomecek, a spokesman for Okaloosa County. A tropical storm last November forced the first delay, followed by high winds in February that pushed the departure from February 18 to February 19. The ship finally slipped out at low tide around 12:51 p.m., carefully navigating under bridges like the Walt Whitman as onlookers waved goodbye.
Here is some excellent coverage by Tom Lynskey, a historian and videographer from New Jersey:
Now en route to Mobile, Alabama, for a two-week trip, the ship faces a year-long cleanup—stripping out old fuel, asbestos, and other hazards—before sinking by late 2025 or early 2026. “It’ll be a paradise for fish and a bucket-list dive,” Tomecek said, picturing coral-coated decks alive with sea creatures.
For diving fans, the wait will be worth it. After the two-week trip to Mobile, Alabama, for cleanup, the SS United States will head to its final resting place. Sinking could happen by late 2025 or early 2026, creating a massive underwater reef. “It’ll be a home for fish and a magnet for divers from all over,” Tomecek added.
The Florida reef plan wasn’t the first proposal for the fate of the storied ocean liner. The SS United States Conservancy, formed in 2011 to preserve the ship’s legacy, fought tirelessly to turn it into a floating museum or mixed-use attraction. They envisioned a waterfront gem with exhibits, restaurants, and event spaces, highlighting its Cold War-era design and glamorous past. Over the years, they raised millions through donations and sold off artifacts—like dining room china—to keep the dream alive. In 2016, a $100,000 pledge from Crystal Cruises briefly sparked hope for a commercial revival, but the deal fell apart. By 2022, redevelopment costs soared past $400 million, and no city—New York, Miami, or Philly—would commit to a permanent berth. “We tried everything,” a conservancy spokesperson said in 2024. “The price tag was just too steep.” “I wish it could’ve stayed here as a museum,” said Jillian Johnston, a Northeast Philly resident. But with repair costs in the hundreds of millions, the reef plan won out. Now, the ship that once carried stars like Marilyn Monroe is on its way to a new life beneath the waves—one dive enthusiasts can’t wait to explore.
Track the Journey: Follow the SS United States online as it heads south. Check local listings for updates on its sinking date—and start planning your dive!
