The SS United States, the storied ocean liner that was heralded for its transatlantic speed and later resurfaced periodically in the modern cruise industry, may be readying for its final voyage, to be sunk off the northwest coast of Florida and used as an artificial reef.
On Oct.1, Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the SS United States Conservancy, which owns and fundraises for the ship, said that that the Board of County Commissioners in Okaloosa County had approved a contingent contract to acquire the ship “that could see the historic ocean liner converted into the world’s largest artificial reef.” The plan would also include funding from the county to support a museum that the conservancy said would educate the public about the SS United States and its legacy.
“As you know, we have worked for over a decade to see America’s Flagship repurposed, and we remain confident that she could succeed as a floating, mixed-use destination,” the conservancy said in its own statement posted on social media, but added that the plan to deploy it as a reef “would save the ship from scrapping.”
The SS United States, fondly referred to as “the Big U,” was a major presence in postwar transatlantic trade. It plied the waters between 1952 and 1969 — and at top speeds of around 44 mph. The ship still holds the Blue Riband award for the fastest crossing: It made the trip from New York to Cornwall, U.K., in three days and 10 hours.
The ship could be converted into a troop carrier that could transport 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling. But it ceased operations as the jet age supplanted the era of the grand Atlantic crossing, and since 1996 it has been docked in Philadelphia. This year, the ship faced eviction from the pier it has long called home.
Failed attempts to restore the ship
In the past two decades, the ship has attracted attention from cruise companies.
In 2003, Norwegian Cruise Line acquired two classic liners, including the SS United States, as part of its plan to expand U.S.-flagged operations. But refurbishment plans never came to fruition, and in 2010 the conservancy said it would purchase the ship, thanks to a $5.8 million donation from a Philadelphia philanthropist.
The vessel was back in the news in 2016, when Crystal Cruises (then owned by Genting Hong Kong) revealed plans to restore the vessel: It envisioned an 800-passenger ship to be called the United States by Crystal Cruises. Crystal’s then-president Edie Rodriguez said that it was “our aspiration that it emerges as America’s flagship again.”
Just months later, Crystal concluded that it would not be “technically or commercially responsible” to continue with the plan. Crystal instead said it would make a $350,000 donation to the conservancy.
That left the Big U tied up in Philadelphia. In an interview after Crystal dropped its restoration plan, conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs said it was “more aggressively” looking at plans to convert the ship to stationary use, such as the Queen Mary, which has been docked in Long Beach as a floating hotel.
Destin-Fort Walton, for its part, envisions the ship as a way to enhance its reputation as a diving and fishing destination. “The SS United States will be an exciting addition to the many artificial reefs and wrecks available in Destin-Fort Walton Beach for divers to explore while providing essential habitat for the fishery that our fleet is so dependent on,” said tourism director Jennifer Adams.
Closing on the deal could take place in a few weeks, pending the current U.S. District Court-imposed mediation. But then the ship would have to be cleaned and transported, which is expected to take about a year and a half. Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the conservancy put a conservative estimate of the cost at $10.1 million, not including funds to help establish the conservancy’s museum.
