Latest news with #SSUnitedStatesConservancy
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic ship embarks on final voyage to become world's largest artificial reef: 'An emotional maritime moment'
An ocean liner that holds the transatlantic speed record and once carried movie stars and presidents across the sea is about to embark on a new voyage — at the bottom of the ocean. The SS United States, long celebrated as America's flagship, will soon be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef, according to Nice News. The ship had long been out of use and was under a court eviction order, putting it in the crosshairs of being scrapped. Instead, the historic vessel will be carefully prepared and sunk off the coast of Florida, becoming a permanent home for marine life and an intriguing destination for divers and researchers. "This is an emotional maritime moment," Capt. Joseph Farrell, a ship-sinking and reef expert, told NBC Philadelphia. "The SS United States is a testament to America's might and engineering ingenuity. Her sinking is the final chapter for the last all-American-made, America-flagged ocean liner." And it's easy to understand the nostalgia. The ship, which is over 100 feet longer than the Titanic, set off on its maiden voyage in 1952 and once carried John F. Kennedy, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe as an iconic symbol of Americana. Its next journey may just be the most meaningful yet. The SS United States Conservancy has long been working to protect the ship's legacy, and former President Bill Clinton called it "a symbol of our country's industry and accomplishment." However, attempts to find a new port or make it an attraction have failed. Luckily, artificial reefing offers the SS United States a new life that preserves its legacy in an eco-friendly way. Artificial reefs help restore damaged ecosystems by providing shelter for fish, coral, and other marine life. They also ease pressure on natural reef systems by drawing tourism and supporting coastal economies. This is a perfect example of how communities can honor their cultural heritage while also boosting local economies and building a cleaner, safer future for all of us. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," a news release stated. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBS News
03-03-2025
- CBS News
SS United States marks end of 1st leg of journey to becoming world's largest artificial reef
The SS United States began its final approach into Mobile, Alabama, Monday morning, marking the end of the first leg of its journey to becoming the world's largest artificial reef. The historic ocean liner entered the mouth of Mobile Bay around 8:30 a.m., two days ahead of schedule. The ship will be stripped of hazardous materials over the next several months before sinking off the Gulf Coast of Florida. The ship's 11-day journey from South Philadelphia to Alabama was a race against the clock. The tugboat guiding the vessel rushed to stay ahead of a storm generating 25 mph winds and 10-foot waves. When it set sail for its maiden voyage in 1952, the SS United States was an engineering marvel. Today, it still holds the record as the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Mike Vinik, the tugboat's captain, said he's proud to guide the historic ship. "It was just absolutely extraordinary. The emotions and, just, the honor of being able to guide her out was second to none," Vinik said. "I feel like we're a pallbearer to a superhero, to America's flagship." Susan Gibbs, the president of the SS United States Conservancy, praised Vinik and his crew for their "expert care" as the ship completed its historic 401st voyage. "As she moved through the waves for the first time in 28 years, countless onlookers and admirers along the country's eastern seaboard were inspired by her majesty and beauty," Gibbs said in a statement. "Now, as she prepares for her next chapter, the SS United States Conservancy, together with Florida's Okaloosa County, will advance the design and development of a dynamic and immersive museum and visitor's center that will celebrate the ship's place in American history." The ocean liner's sinking is scheduled for September.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- The Independent
Why authorities plan to sink this historic ocean liner in waters off Florida
The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world's largest artificial reef will arrive in Alabama on Monday to begin planned prep work. 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 to be prepared before officials eventually sink it off Florida 's Gulf Coast. The ship departed from south Philadelphia 's Delaware River waterfront in mid-February, marking the opening segment of its final voyage. It came four months after the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord resolved a years-old rent dispute. Officials initially planned to move the vessel last November, but that was delayed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard that the ship wasn't stable enough to make the trip. Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida 's coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county's more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction that could generate millions of dollars annually in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels. Officials have said the deal to buy the ship could eventually cost more than $10 million. The lengthy process of cleaning, transporting and sinking the vessel is expected to take at least one-and-a-half years. The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic speed record in both directions when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph (66 kph), The Associated Press reported from aboard the ship. The ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Mary's time by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner. 'The ship will forever symbolize our nation's strength, innovation, and resilience,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel. "We wish her 'fair winds and following seas' on her historic journey to her new home.' The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it. But they eventually found their plans too expensive or poorly timed, leaving the vessel looming for years on south Philadelphia 's Delaware River waterfront.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SS United States now in Gulf. Can you see ship pass from Sarasota, Bradenton shore?
The SS United States, the world's fastest ocean liner and 100 feet longer than the ill-fated RMS Titanic, has entered the Gulf on its way to becoming the world's largest artificial reef off Florida's Panhandle. Still holding the record for being the largest passenger ship built in the U.S. at nearly 1,000 feet long, the vessel was purchased by Okaloosa County in October and will be sunk off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The ship had been docked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for nearly 30 years before beginning its final voyage Feb. 20, guided by four tugboats. SS United States is headed for Mobile, Alabama for cleaning and renovation before it's moved off Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida to become a new marine life habitat. The exact location has not been revealed. On the way to the Gulf, the liner hugged the South Florida Coast and was spotted Wednesday off Palm Beach County Feb. 26. As SS United States journeys through the Gulf, will it be visible from shore? After a remediation process in Mobile expected to take about a year, SS United States will be towed south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to be sunk. A date and location have not been revealed. "Before her deployment in the Gulf waters, all of the environmentally unsafe materials will be removed. This includes all non-metal items, wiring and fuel. She will have holes strategically cut around the ship to ensure she lands upright as she is submerged. Passages will also be opened allowing for marine life to thrive in and around the ship. All of the preparations in Mobile are in close collaboration with multiple environmental agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agency," Destin-Fort Walton Beach's website states. At 990 feet, the SS United States is more than 100 feet longer than Titanic. To reduce weight and increase speed, more aluminum was used to build SS United States than any other previous project. As a result, SS United States moved almost as fast in reverse as Titanic was able to move forward, according to the SS United States Conservancy In 1963, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was reportedly transported on the SS United States to America, on loan from the Louvre in Paris for exhibitions in Washington and New York. Four U.S. presidents were once passengers on SS United States: Harry Truman Dwight Eisenhower John Kennedy Bill Clinton According to the SS United States Conservatory, Clinton was on his way to study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. In service from 1952 to 1969, the USS United States saw its share of other famous passengers, including: Marlon Brando Coco Chanel Sean Connery Gary Cooper Walter Cronkite Salvador Dali Walt Disney Duke Ellington Judy Garland Cary Grant Charlton Heston Bob Hope Marilyn Monroe Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly Elizabeth Taylor John Wayne The Duke and Duchess of Windsor SS United States moved into open waters of the Gulf after rounding the Florida Keys Thursday. From there, it's expected to make a beeline to Mobile, Alabama, making it unlikely to be visible from shore until it reaches its destination. USS United States left Philadelphia Feb. 14, traveled down the Delaware River to Delaware Bay and out to the Atlantic. The estimated two-week journey takes the liner down the East Coast and into the Gulf on the way to Mobile, Alabama where it will be readied for its final move south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to be sunk. You can track the SS United States live. An interactive map provided by Okaloosa County, showing the liner's current location, can be found here. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SS United States track: Can you see ship from Sarasota, Florida shore?
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
SS United States now in Gulf. Can you see ship pass by from Naples, Marco Island shore?
The SS United States, the world's fastest ocean liner and 100 feet longer than the ill-fated RMS Titanic, has entered the Gulf on its way to becoming the world's largest artificial reef off Florida's Panhandle. Still holding the record for being the largest passenger ship built in the U.S. at nearly 1,000 feet long, the vessel was purchased by Okaloosa County in October and will be sunk off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The ship had been docked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for nearly 30 years before beginning its final voyage Feb. 20, guided by four tugboats. SS United States is headed for Mobile, Alabama for cleaning and renovation before it's moved off Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida to become a new marine life habitat. The exact location has not been revealed. On the way to the Gulf, the liner hugged the South Florida Coast and was spotted off Palm Beach County on Wednesday, Feb. 26. As SS United States journeys through the Gulf, will it be visible from shore? After a remediation process in Mobile expected to take about a year, SS United States will be towed south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to be sunk. A date and location have not been revealed. "Before her deployment in the Gulf waters, all of the environmentally unsafe materials will be removed. This includes all non-metal items, wiring and fuel. She will have holes strategically cut around the ship to ensure she lands upright as she is submerged. Passages will also be opened allowing for marine life to thrive in and around the ship. All of the preparations in Mobile are in close collaboration with multiple environmental agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agency," Destin-Fort Walton Beach's website states. At 990 feet, the SS United States is more than 100 feet longer than Titanic. To reduce weight and increase speed, more aluminum was used to build SS United States than any other previous project. As a result, SS United States moved almost as fast in reverse as Titanic was able to move forward, according to the SS United States Conservancy In 1963, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was reportedly transported on the SS United States to America, on loan from the Louvre in Paris for exhibitions in Washington and New York. Four U.S. presidents were once passengers on SS United States: Harry Truman Dwight Eisenhower John Kennedy Bill Clinton According to the SS United States Conservatory, Clinton was on his way to study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. In service from 1952 to 1969, the USS United States saw its share of other famous passengers, including: Marlon Brando Coco Chanel Sean Connery Gary Cooper Walter Cronkite Salvador Dali Walt Disney Duke Ellington Judy Garland Cary Grant Charlton Heston Bob Hope Marilyn Monroe Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly Elizabeth Taylor John Wayne The Duke and Duchess of Windsor SS United States moved into open waters of the Gulf after rounding the Florida Keys Thursday. From there, it's expected to make a beeline to Mobile, Alabama, making it unlikely to be visible from shore until it reaches its destination in the northern Gulf. USS United States left Philadelphia Feb. 14, traveled down the Delaware River to Delaware Bay and out to the Atlantic. The estimated two-week journey takes the liner down the East Coast and into the Gulf on the way to Mobile, Alabama where it will be readied for its final move south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to be sunk. You can track the SS United States live. An interactive map provided by Okaloosa County, showing the liner's current location, can be found here. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: SS United States track: Can you see ship from Naples, Florida shore?
