Video: SS United States Begins Final Journey To Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef

The famous ocean liner SS United States has started her final journey, leaving her long-time dock in Philadelphia.

After nearly three decades at Pier 82, the ship was carefully moved in preparation for a 14-day tow to Mobile, Alabama, where she will undergo environmental remediation before being sunk as an artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Tugboats and crews carried out the complex manoeuvre, timing the movement with the midday high tide on the Delaware River.

The ship’s stern was first pulled across the slipway, followed by the bow, before she was resecured at Pier 80 on the north side of the slipway.

She will remain there until her scheduled departure on Monday, February 17. A final planning meeting is set for Saturday to confirm the details of the tow.

On Monday morning, tugboats will guide the SS United States into the Delaware River channel at low tide, expected at about 11:18 a.m. (local time).

The tow will take her past several key bridges, including the Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295) and the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76).

The Delaware River Port Authority has stated that bridge closures will be coordinated as she passes, though traffic disruptions are expected to be minimal due to the federal holiday.

The SS United States Conservancy, whic…

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