Historic ocean liner on its way to Mobile; will become world’s largest artificial reef

On Wednesday, February 19, the historic ocean liner S.S. United States began its journey from Philadelphia, PA to Mobile, AL, where it will be prepared for its final use: the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton.

The S.S. United States: America’s last ocean liner

For over a century, ocean liners were the primary method of intercontinental travel across oceans and seas. Perhaps the most well-known ocean liner was the RMS Titanic, which sank after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage between Southhampton, England to New York City.

By the 1950s, air travel had become the preferred method of travel; as a result, many ocean liners were modified for use as cruise ships. Today, the Queen Mary 2—launched in 2004—is the only ocean liner still in service, sailing regular routes between Southhampton and New York City.

Built in 1950 through a joint effort between the U.S. Navy and United States Lines, the S.S. United States was the largest ocean liner to be entirely constructed in America. Known as “America’s Flagship”, the S.S. United States carried many famous passengers during its 17-year career, including Hollywood stars Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe as well as U.S. Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton.

The ocean liner still holds the record for the fastest Transatlantic crossing, which it garnered during its maiden voyage.

The U.S. United States was withdrawn from service in 1969 after the financial collapse of United States Lines. Since then, the ocean liner has changed hands multiple times; from 1996 until 2025, the ship was docked in Philadelphia.

Becoming the world’s largest artificial reef

After a dispute with the owner of the Philadelphia pier in which the ship is located, the SS United States Conservancy sold the ship to Florida’s Okaloosa County, which plans to scuttle the ship off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton beach. At 1,000 feet long, the ocean liner will become the world’s largest artificial reef, surpassing the 888-foot USS Oriskany, which was sunk off Pensacola in 2006.

“After nearly three decades in Philadelphia, the iconic SS United States is now embarking on a two-week tow to Mobile, Alabama, to prepare for her ultimate resting place as the world’s largest artificial reef.

Now under the care of new owners, the ship will forever symbolize our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience. During this period of intense political polarization, America’s Flagship, built through a public-private partnership as a luxury liner and a top-secret, high-speed, troop transport to protect our national interests overseas, illustrates the power and the promise of coalescing around a common cause.”

Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of famed naval architect and SS United States‘ designer, William Francis Gibbs

The S.S. United States is currently en route to Mobile, where it will be prepared for its final destination; namely ensuring the vessel will not harm sea life and will lay to rest upright.

You can track the current location of the S.S. United States via this website.

What do you think about the plans to use the S.S. United States as an artificial reef? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!