Now on Gulf Coast, SS United States moves ever-closer to its watery fate

The SS United States inches ever-closer to its eventual fate beneath the waves.

Once the fastest ocean liner in the world, preparations are now underway for the ship to be converted into the world’s largest artificial reef, with plans for it to be sunk off the coast of Florida’s Okaloosa County in early 2026.

The SS United States is currently docked in Mobile, Ala., where crews are completing work to remove hazardous materials, dismantle certain superstructure elements, and prepare the hull to create a safe and lasting artificial reef habitat. 

The ship has always drawn interest, and that continues in Mobile Bay, where it is docked near the battleship USS Alabama at the Battleship Memorial Park. Tourists and curious residents can go on port cruises to check it out.

The ship arrived in Mobile on March 3, 2025 after an approximately 1,800-mile journey down the East Coast from its previous home on the Delaware waterfront here in Philly, where it had been since 1996. The future reef location will be about 22 nautical miles off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area at a depth accessible for both recreational and technical divers.​

Okaloosa County spearheaded the $10.1 million acquisition and relocation plan, also announcing partnerships for marketing and education related to the reef project. The SS United States Conservancy and local officials are planning a museum and visitor center to showcase salvaged artifacts such as the ship’s original funnels and radar mast.​

Commemorative documentary

There will also be a new documentary — “Superliner: The Enduring Legacy of the SS United States” — that is slated for a 2026 release, though a specific date or how it can be viewed hasn’t been shared. It will include archival footage, interviews and the entire journey from Philadelphia through its upcoming sinking.​

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