SS United States Leaves Philadelphia – Drone Footage
After nearly three decades moored along Philadelphia’s Delaware River, the historic ocean liner SS United States embarked on its final journey today, February 19, 2025.
Departing shortly before 1 p.m. ET, the legendary vessel is en route to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo preparations for its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The SS United States was once the pinnacle of American maritime engineering. When it made its maiden voyage in 1952, the ship shattered transatlantic speed records, completing the journey from New York to England in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes—a record that still stands today.
SS United States Leaves Philadelphia – Drone Footage
Designed as a dual-purpose passenger and military transport vessel, the SS United States was built to be the fastest ocean liner in history. However, as air travel rose to dominance, the ship was retired in 1969 and eventually docked in Philadelphia in 1996.
Despite efforts by the SS United States Conservancy to restore and repurpose the vessel, financial and logistical challenges proved insurmountable. In October 2024, Okaloosa County, Florida, purchased the ship with the goal of transforming it into an artificial reef.
The project, one of the most ambitious reefing initiatives ever undertaken, aims to boost marine biodiversity, create a premier diving attraction, and support the local fishing industry.
The ship’s journey to Mobile is expected to take approximately 18 days, covering over 1,800 nautical miles at an average speed of 5 knots.
Once it arrives, the SS United States will undergo extensive environmental remediation, a process expected to take up to 12 months.
During this time, parts of the ships will be removed to preserve them for a museum. Those objects include the funnels, mast and more.
The final resting place for the SS United States will be roughly 20 miles off the coast of Destin, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. Once the ship is properly cleaned and prepared, it will be strategically sunk to provide a massive new habitat for marine life.
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Artificial reefs have been shown to enhance fish populations, encourage coral growth, and improve overall ocean health.
Given the ship’s immense size—nearly 1,000 feet long—it is expected to become a thriving underwater ecosystem, attracting everything from small reef fish to large predators such as sharks and grouper.
Diving enthusiasts and marine researchers alike are already looking forward to the SS United States becoming a world-class dive site.
The ship’s towering structures and open decks will provide a unique underwater experience, drawing divers from around the world to explore its sunken grandeur.
While some preservationists mourn the loss of one of America’s greatest ocean liners, many agree that the artificial reef project is a fitting way to honor the ship’s legacy.
Instead of being scrapped for parts, the SS United States will continue to serve a purpose, bringing life to the ocean and offering a permanent tribute to its storied past.
The sinking of the SS United States is expected to take place in early 2026, with a planned ceremony marking the occasion.
In the meantime, work will continue in Mobile to prepare the vessel for its new life beneath the sea.
For those who have admired the SS United States from the docks of Philadelphia, this departure marks the end of an era.
But as the ship sails toward its final destination, its legacy will live on—not just in history books, but in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where it will support marine life for generations to come.
Track the ship on her journey by clicking here
Below is the drone video of the SS United States leaving Philadelphia. Before you watch please subscribe.