The SS United States, once the pride of American shipbuilding and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic, has begun its final voyage—not to a glamorous port, but to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. After decades of sitting idle in Philadelphia, the 990-foot-long vessel, affectionately known as “The Big U,” is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef.

A Historic Journey to Its Final Resting Place

Tugboats are guiding the ship southward on a two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo an extensive one-year environmental cleanup process at Modern American Recycling Services. Crews will remove hazardous materials, including fuel, to prepare the ship for its transformation into a marine habitat.

Once cleaned, the vessel will be deliberately sunk roughly 180 feet underwater, 20 miles off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida.

The SS United States will rest upright on the seafloor, providing an ideal environment for marine life to flourish. This comes after decades of legal battles and failed redevelopment plans while the ship remained anchored in Philadelphia since 1996.

A Ship of Presidents, Stars, and Records

Built in 1952, the SS United States was an engineering marvel that shattered transatlantic speed records, completing nearly 800 crossings in just 17 years before its retirement in 1969, as air travel grew dominant. During its heyday, the ship hosted four U.S. presidents—Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton—as well as Hollywood royalty, including Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, and Grace Kelly.

Yet, despite numerous efforts to save or repurpose the vessel, time took its toll. Now, instead of rotting away at dockside, the ship will have a second life beneath the waves—an underwater sanctuary for marine biodiversity and an extraordinary dive destination.

A Natural and Artistic Underwater Attraction

This move aligns with Florida’s ongoing efforts to enhance marine conservation through artificial reef projects. Okaloosa County is already home to the renowned Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), located off Grayton Beach. Launched in 2018, the UMA was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Places to Visit” that year. The museum is a unique collaboration between the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA), merging marine conservation with creative expression.

One of UMA’s most notable installations is “The Grayt Pineapple” by local artist Rachel Herring—a 8-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture, sponsored by The 30A Company. Designed with a hollow interior, it provides shelter for small fish, blending artistry with marine sustainability.

A Legacy That Lives On Beneath the Sea

With the SS United States joining this network of underwater attractions, the Gulf of Mexico will soon host not only a piece of history but a thriving marine habitat. Divers will have the chance to explore a legendary ocean liner, now reborn as a deep-sea wonder.

This is not an ending but a transformation. The SS United States may never sail again, but it will continue to serve—this time, as a guardian of marine life and a beacon of innovation in ocean conservation.

Bon voyage, SS United States. May you find new life beneath the waves.