SS United States Move Date Announced

After years of uncertainty, the SS United States, once a symbol of American maritime pride, is set to make her final voyage.

The vessel Pier 82 in Philadelphia, will be towed to Mobile, Alabama, where preparations will begin for her transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef.

The move to Alabama is different than the original plan which was to hav her towed to Virginia to do the work. This change allows their crews to do all the necessary work to prepare her for sinking all in one place.

Journey Begins: The Operation Schedule

The SS United States will begin her journey on Thursday, November 14, 2024. All these move times are all based on the tide levels as it needs to be high enough to move her from her current location but low enough to get under the Walt Whitman Bridge.

This move is similar to the Battleship New Jersey that was moved earlier this month.

Nov. 14, 2024: Tugboats will attach to the SS United States around 11:45 a.m. (high tide) and guide her from Pier 82 to Pier 80, where she’ll stay temporarily until the next low tide.
Nov. 15, 2024: In the pre-dawn hours, the tugboats will begin maneuvering the vessel into the Delaware River as low tide approaches (estimated at 6:59 a.m.).
Just a heads up though, the three major bridges—the Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Delaware Memorial Bridges—will close temporarily on her moving dates. Motorists should plan to avoid these areas due to coordinated traffic closures.

For those interested in following the SS United States on her final journey, a GPS tracker will be available at destinfwb.com, providing live updates as she moves toward the Gulf of Mexico. However, this schedule is tentative, and timing or logistical adjustments may occur.

Filming Her Move

The Wildwood Video Archive will be filming her move down the Delaware River on November 15th and a video is expected to be online later on in the day on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to be notified of that video.

A Two-Week Voyage to Alabama

Once the SS United States enters the Atlantic Ocean, she will require two to three tugboats to complete her journey to Mobile, Alabama. This trip is expected to take approximately two weeks, during which the vessel will traverse nearly 1,000 miles to reach her next stop.

Preparing for Deployment as an Artificial Reef

Upon her arrival in Mobile, the SS United States will undergo an extensive cleaning and preparation process to ensure her safe deployment as an artificial reef. Contractors will carefully remove hazardous materials, including non-metal parts and any remaining fuel.

Additionally, modifications will be made to ensure the vessel will rest upright once deployed underwater. This phase of preparation is projected to take about 12 months.

Also See: Gillian’s Wonderland Pier UPDATE

The exact location for the SS United States’ new home is still being finalized, but she is expected to be submerged about 20 miles south of the Florida Panhandle near Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Once deployed, the SS United States will attract marine life and help restore the Gulf’s underwater ecosystem.

A Land-Based Legacy for the SS United States

While the ship herself will become part of the Gulf’s underwater world, her legacy will live on above the waterline. Okaloosa County and the SS United States Conservancy plan to develop a museum and visitor center in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

This land-based attraction will incorporate iconic features from the SS United States, including her famous funnels and radar mast, along with the Conservancy’s vast collection of artifacts and archives.

The Wildwood Video Archive stopped by the ship for a full tour in August and filmed a video. You can watch it below. Please be sure you subscribe before you watch as we try to hit 100,000 subscribers.