Florida’s Okaloosa County approved a contingent contract to purchase the SS United States on October 1, 2024. The famed ship would be “converted into the world’s largest artificial reef,” which is a really fancy way of saying that the ship will be taken out and sunk (yes, I know there’s more to it than that but I’m feeling really salty right now).
Although reefing the United States is preferable to scrapping her outright, it’s still a very sad end to America’s Flagship.
Pending Sale
The news has, understandably, not been received well by fans and supporters of the ship. The SS United States Conservancy sent an email out to this membership the same day saying:
Dear SS United States Supporters:
This morning Florida’s Okaloosa County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a contingent contract to acquire the SS United States that could see the historic ocean liner converted into the world’s largest artificial reef. A copy of the press release issued by the County can be found below or by CLICKING HERE.
We understand that this first step toward these potential plans for the SS United States are deeply challenging for our community, and we will share further reflections on these developments in the coming days and weeks.
As you know, we have worked for over a decade to see America’s Flagship repurposed, and we remain confident that she could succeed as a floating, mixed-use destination. However, this plan to deploy the SS United States as the world’s largest artificial reef would save the ship from scrapping. It would also support the Conservancy’s dynamic museum and unique visitor experience that will educate the public about the SS United States and her legacy, incorporate iconic components from the ship, and offer public access to our extensive archival and curatorial collections.
In the days ahead we will share more news about the ship’s future and the SS United States Conservancy’s exciting and ambitious museum plans. We continue to be guided by our mission of ensuring that America’s Flagship endures as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come, and we thank you so much for your continued support.
I know that very few efforts to save historic ships succeed. I suppose I’ve always known that saving the United States was a long shot. But that doesn’t make things any easier. But at least she’s getting a museum: most ships don’t even get that at the end of their lives.
Ongoing Legal Battles
And of course, the Conservancy’s legal battle with Penn Warehousing continues through all this. This is seriously playing out like a bad (and I mean bad) courtroom drama.
On September 12 – the initial deadline that the ship was to be moved by – the Conservancy filed a motion stating that Penn Warehousing was blocking the ship’s sale and otherwise engaging in misconduct. Both parties went into court-supervised mediation the following day. This process is still underway, but a hold has been placed on having to move the United States.
The SS United States has been moored at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia for the last 28 years. The news in recent months has drawn attention to the old ship – probably more than she’s had in decades. On the one hand, this is good because the United States is getting the exposure that she’s long been owed. But there are drawbacks too: it was reported on October 3 that the ship had been burglarized when thieves boarded the old liner and stole tools and batteries. The United States was also apparently damaged as well.
You can’t make this stuff up.
The Future
At this point, the United States’ fate is all but sealed. She’ll be turned into an artificial reef and become the domain of marine life and divers. Part of me really hopes that she pulls an SS America: break free of her tow lines, get wrecked somewhere, and go out on her own terms.
It’d also be a really fitting way for the United States to end her days. Captain Leroy J. Alexanderson, her last master, once reportedly said “I’d rather have them take her out to sea with all flags flying and let her go.”
Previous Posts in Series
References
- “Burglars steal items, cause damage to SS United States in South Philadelphia.” 6abc Action News. October 4, 2024. https://6abc.com/post/burglars-steal-items-cause-damage-ss-united-states-off-christopher-columbus-boulevard-south-philadelphia/15389452/.
- Holden, Joe and Dougherty. “SS United States burglarized days after agreement to move ship from Philadelphia to Florida for artificial reef.” CBS News. October 3, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/ss-united-states-philadelphia-theft/.
- Tunney, Donna. “Mediation Begins in Legal Battle Over Iconic SS United States.” Cruise Hive. September 24, 2024. https://www.cruisehive.com/mediation-begins-in-legal-battle-over-iconic-ss-united-states/145393/.
- “Owner’s of America’s Flagship File Motion Detailing Landlord’s Efforts to Block Relocation of SS United States, Take Possession of the Historic Vessel for Its Own Financial Benefit.” SS United States Conservancy. September 12, 2024. https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/09/12/owners-of-americas-flagship-file-motion-detailing-landlords-efforts-to-block-relocation-of-ss-united-states-take-possession-of-the-historic-vessel-for-its-own-financial-benefit/.
- SS United States Conservancy. “Important Update on America’s Flagship.” October 1, 2024. Email.
- “Statement from the SS United States Conservancy.” SS United States Conservancy. September 13, 2024.
- “https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/09/13/statement-from-the-ss-united-states-conservancy/.
- “Statement from the SS United States Conservancy.” SS United States Conservancy. September 20, 2024. https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/09/20/statement-from-the-ss-united-states-conservancy/.
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