SS United States’ Future Uncertain Amid Lease Dispute and Reef Plan
The SS United States, once the pride of transatlantic travel, is confronting an uncertain future that could include being submerged as an underwater reef. After nearly 30 years docked in Philadelphia, the historic ocean liner’s fate is now in question following a recent federal court ruling.
In late August, a federal judge ruled in favor of pier operator Penn Warehousing in a dispute with the ship’s owners, the SS United States Conservancy. The court has ordered the vessel to vacate the pier by September 12.
Following the ruling, the Conservancy revealed they had entered a “contingent contract” to sell the SS United States to Oskaloosa County, Florida. The county plans to sink the aging liner to create an artificial reef. However, the plan has hit a snag. On September 2, Oskaloosa County’s Board of Commissioners postponed a crucial budget vote that would have funded the removal or increased rental fees for Penn Warehousing, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Conservancy has stated that the agreement with Oskaloosa County is still subject to various contingencies and is not yet finalized. A statement from the Conservancy noted that Philadelphia Judge Anita Brody has indicated that if the Conservancy secures a contract to relocate the ship by the September 12 deadline, she expects the parties to negotiate a reasonable timeline for its safe removal.
Judge Brody also mentioned that the court would likely reconvene in early September to review progress on the removal plan.
The Conservancy has been in discussions with two Florida counties about converting the ship into an artificial reef while also potentially establishing a land-based museum. The ship’s long-standing struggle to find a new purpose reflects its complex history.
Launched in 1952, the SS United States was a marvel of post-war design and innovation, setting a transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage and earning the Blue Riband, a prestigious award that still stands. The ship, designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs, remains the largest passenger vessel ever built in the U.S. It carried four U.S. presidents, international royalty, and Hollywood stars before retiring in 1969.
Since its retirement, the ship has changed hands multiple times as various owners attempted to monetize the aging vessel. By 1994, the ship’s interiors were auctioned off, leaving it largely empty.
In 2011, the SS United States Conservancy acquired the ship and proposed several plans for its restoration. Notably, in 2016, Crystal Cruises partnered with the Conservancy to explore returning the liner to service. Crystal pledged to cover preservation costs estimated at $700 million and commissioned a feasibility study. However, the study revealed insurmountable technical and regulatory challenges, leading Crystal to withdraw from the agreement.
As the SS United States faces this latest chapter, its future remains in flux, with its potential conversion into an underwater reef representing one possible outcome for the once-iconic ocean liner.