SS United States arrives on Gulf Coast, nears final resting place
The SS United States’ penultimate journey is complete!
When last it was seen around here, on Feb. 19, the SS United States was being pushed and pulled by six tugboats down the Delaware River, headed for open water and an eventual destination of Mobile Bay, Ala.
If you had your doubts it would make it, after repeated delays in its departure, you weren’t alone.
But the “Big U” as it’s known, completed its roughly 1,800-nautical-mile journey around 6 a.m. this morning, a few days ahead of schedule. It was the 401st voyage for the historic vessel.
Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s builder William Francis Gibbs, offered the following statement through the organization:
“In the spirit of her record-breaking history, America’s Flagship concluded her journey from Philadelphia to Mobile faster than anticipated. As she moved through the waves for the first time in 28 years, countless onlookers and admirers along the country’s eastern seaboard were inspired by her majesty and beauty.
The 990-foot vessel next made its way to the docks at Modern American Recycling Services (MARS). It will now undergo environmental remediation efforts to prepare for its ultimate fate as the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida coast, near Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
The trip went relatively smoothly, with the ship being guided along at an average speed of about 5 knots — a far cry from the nearly 40 mph the ocean liner once averaged as the fastest ocean liner in the world. But it got there, and now all that’s left is prepping for its 402nd and final voyage, to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Conservancy, meanwhile, is moving forward with plans for a land-based SS United States museum. The design will feature key elements from the ship, including its funnels, radar mast, and propeller. The museum will highlight the vessel’s rich history, mid-century modern art and design, and groundbreaking engineering.
During planning and construction, the Conservancy will expand traveling and digital exhibitions, oral histories, and its growing collection of artifacts, artwork, furniture, and archival materials.
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