AssetID: 54536239
Headline: Historic Liner The SS United States Embarks On Its Final Voyage
Caption: The historic ocean liner the SS United States embarked on its final journey from Philadelphia to the Gulf of Mexico, where it will be sunk and transformed into the world’s largest artificial reef. The 302-metre (1,000ft) vessel set the transatlantic speed record during its maiden voyage from New York to Bishop Rock, Cornwall, in 1952. On Wednesday, it took a more measured pace as it was towed down the Delaware River and into the Atlantic. Its 1,800-nautical-mile voyage to Mobile, Alabama, is expected to take around two weeks. Upon arrival, marine engineers will spend more than a year stripping the vessel of hazardous materials, including fuel, paint, asbestos, and other contaminants. Components that could degrade underwater—such as electrical wiring and engine parts containing oil—will also be removed. Structural modifications will be made to ensure safe access for divers, including the widening of passageways and the addition of access points in the hull to prevent the formation of air pockets. The ship will then be towed 20 miles off the coast and scuttled near Destin-Fort Walton Beach, where local authorities hope it will foster marine biodiversity and become a leading scuba diving attraction. Built in the early 1950s, the SS United States was considered a marvel of American engineering. It was designed as both a luxury ocean liner and a military transport vessel capable of carrying up to 14,000 troops in times of war. During its maiden voyage in July 1952, the ship crossed the Atlantic in three days, ten hours, and 40 minutes, averaging 36 knots (41mph). It shattered the transatlantic speed record in both directions, surpassing the RMS Queen Mary’s 1938 benchmark. The SS United States was famed for its powerful propulsion system, which enabled it to travel nearly as fast in reverse as the Titanic could move forward. Over its career, the ship completed more than 800 transatlantic crossings, transporting notable passengers including Marilyn Monroe, future US President John F Kennedy, and Walt Disney. It also played a key role in carrying thousands of immigrants to America. In 1963, it even transported the Mona Lisa to the United States for exhibitions in Washington and New York. The ship’s heyday was short, however, as the advent of commercial air travel in the 1950s saw ocean liner voyages lose their appeal. By 1969 it was withdrawn from service. For decades, the 53,000-tonne vessel remained docked at a pier in South Philadelphia, as efforts were made to determine how best to preserve it. Sadly, the once-celebrated "speed queen of the seas" became embroiled in a lengthy legal battle between the SS United States Conservancy and its landlord, Penn Warehousing. In 2023, a federal judge ordered its removal from the Port of Philadelphia. Last October, the ship was sold to Okaloosa County, Florida, for an initial sum of $1 million, with the total transaction potentially reaching $10 million.
Keywords: ss united states,ship,liner,vessel,jfk,marilyn monroe
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