Historic Ocean Liner Departs Philadelphia on Voyage to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef

Historic Ocean Liner Departs Philadelphia on Voyage to Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef
The SS United States is towed down the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from Philadelphia on Feb. 19, 2025. Matt Rourke/AP Photo
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The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world’s largest artificial reef departed from south Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront on Wednesday, marking the opening segment of its final voyage.

The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for planned prep work before officials eventually sink it off Florida’s Gulf Coast.