Posted on 02/17/2025 1:08:04 PM PST by Ezekiel
High winds in Philadelphia have pushed back the departure of the SS United States until Tuesday, when the historic ocean liner will embark on a two-week trip to Alabama. From there, the ship will undergo preparations to be turned into the world's largest artificial reef off the Gulf Coast in Florida.
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By about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, the SS United States is expected to begin heading down the Delaware River, passing beneath the Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Delaware Memorial bridges. The Delaware River Port Authority will close all three bridges to traffic during the ship's transit.
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Multiple attempts to move the ship have been rescheduled in recent months due to a variety of circumstances.
(Excerpt) Read more at phillyvoice.com ...
https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-ss-united-states-completes-first-move-as-final-journey-begins
It will be here, off the coast of Destin.................
Bon voyage...
I remember seeing this ship moored in Hampton Roads back in the 1980’s when I was stationed there. There was no mistaking those funnels. Sad end to a historic ship.
I was on it in 1959 at age of 4. My father, an Army Officer, was transferred to Europe and at the time officers were given a choice of air or 1st class on ocean liner.
Largest artificial reef? Even if we limit that to Florida’s waters, I would think the WW2 aircraft carrier USS Oriskany has the SS United States beat.
Alabama, the last stop on the way to hell. Go dogs!
I stand corrected. The United States has a longer length and greater displacement.
Destin-nation: Gulf of America
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To create an unforgettable silhouette, Gibbs had the liner topped with two massive, red-white-and-blue, tear-drop-shaped funnels located midship. Standing at 55 feet (17 m) tall and 60 feet (18 m) wide, they were the largest funnels ever put to sea.[1]: 246–248
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_United_States#Funnels_and_superstructure
She was a Beauty.
I’ve been a big fan of this ship for decades.
The SS America was a great ship as well.
Lets hope the SS US does not share a similar towing fate..
Sad ending indeed.
I guess all things have their time and place.
When I was quite small my father took me down to Southampton one day.
SS United States, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were all in dock together. What a sight !
Obviously I’ve never forgotten it.
More ocean litter - wacko environmentalists. Sinking perfectly good steel. Very sad.
I was on this ship bound for Europe in 1959. Had an impacted tooth that gave me much pain. Finally awoke on third day early in the morning. Walked the decks on that huge ship for nearly an hour and never met a soul. Thought I was on a ghost ship. In a panic, I returned to cabin and was told to shut up and go back to bed. Arrived in Southhampton less than five days after leaving New York City.
I suspect theUSAID money they were expecting to refurbish the ship didn’t come through
I only know about this ship because I visited a restaurant in Nags Head, NC., back in the 90s. It had some of the furnishings and artwork from it. Windmill Point was the name of the restaurant, it burned down a while ago.
http://historyscout.blogspot.com/2016/06/return-to-windmill-point-of-nags-head.html
At one point the two huge brass props where sitting on the back deck. We used to sail up and down the river for years. Quite the site. And it was breezy today. Some trees in the hood came down. None of mine in the back yet.
Weren't the Fifties a little too late for steamships, though?
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