Once the fastest passenger ship will be new life as a art structure!
Once the fastest passenger ship will be new life as a art structure!
The SS United States, once the fastest passenger ship in the world, begins her last trip this weekend to become a significant part of the world's largest artificial reef. This historic ship, which is over 300 meters long and has not been in operation since 1969, was sold in October 2025 to Okaloosa County, Florida. After the sale, the preparations for the sinking of the ship in the Gulf of Mexico, which is planned for 2026, have already started
Currently the SS United States is still on the promenade in Philadelphia. On Thursday, the ship is moved by Pier 82 to Pier 80 before it is accompanied by several tugs on Saturday and controls the Delaware River into the Atlantic Ocean. The trip continues along the east coast towards Mobile, Alabama, where the ship is created for the final preparations.
a home for sea creatures
The sinking of the SS United States off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is not just a nostalgic gesture. The campaign aims to offer millions of sea inhabitants a new home. With a depth of 55 meters and about 32 kilometers from the coast, the ship is said to form an artificial reef that acts as a habitat for a variety of marine species. Studies have shown that artificial reefs support high biological diversity and offer complex habitats with columns and tunnels, similar to natural reefs.
The SS United States itself has a long story as a symbol of American engineering and held the transatlantic speed record that she still has in 1952. These successes were caused not only by the speed of the ship, which was up to 38 knots (approx. 70 km/h), but also by the ability to transport thousands of troops as a military ship.
Sustainable solutions for Marine's life
Artificial reefs can be an innovative solution to preserve marine ecosystems. Scientists research how such structures that are often made of concrete or other materials can improve living conditions for corals and other sea creatures. The creation of such reefs is particularly important to replace endangered coral reefs and support new communities, while natural reefs are under stress or die.
The SS United States will not only be a shipwreck in the water, but also a chance to better understand the ecological relationships in marine space. Preparations for the establishment of a land -based museum and interactive design, operated by the SS United States Conservancy, are intended to preserve the inheritance of this extraordinary ship. With a historical meaning and a future role in the ecosystem, the last journey of the SS United States promises to become an initiative that is as important and sustainable.
For more information about the planned sinking, click on Focus , on the ship itself on Fox29 and about the importance of artificial reefs on DetailsOrt Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA Quellen