Legendary ocean liner could become an artificial reef in Florida
The clock is ticking on the SS United States' time in Philadelphia. And, apparently, its existence above water.
The historic ship must leave its South Philly pier by Sept. 12 following a rent dispute with the pier owner. With limited options, the ship's next destination may be Florida, followed by the floor of the Gulf of Mexico.
The SS United States may be purposely sunk to create an artificial reef off the coast of the Destin-Fort Walton beach, according to a local report. Officials in Oskaloosa County have signed an agreement, but it still must be ratified. The ship's conservancy group would prefer to keep it afloat, but has been unable to find a new pier. The reef plan would be a middle ground between that and scrapping the ship.
The ship would need to be modified to meet environmental standards before being sunk. Getting the ship out of Philly -- regardless of its eventual fate -- is expected to be a complicated process.
The SS United States is a retired ocean liner. It is the largest ever built in the U.S. and still holds the record for the fastest journey across the Atlantic Ocean in either direction. The ship has changed hands several times and has been docked in Philly since 1994.
