America’s flagship the SS United States successfully navigates choppy waters ahead of its new life as a coral reef
- SS United States is one of the most important ships ever made
- The luxury ocean liner still holds transatlantic records from 1952
- Now, it is being towed to Florida – where it will be scuttled to serve as a coral reef
Published on Feb 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Feb 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The SS United States is an extremely important piece of maritime history.
Since its inception, it has remained the largest ocean liner ever to be entirely constructed on American soil – more accurately, water.
It also remains the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean in either direction.
Now that it is retired, it has been bought and is set to serve forever more as a coral reef in the ocean.
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SS United States: A beacon of America’s maritime mastery
The ship itself was designed with a slightly different original purpose in mind.
As a small boy, ship designer William Gibbs watched the launching of another ship – the SS St. Louis – in 1894.
Following this, Gibbs became obsessed with creating its successor.
In 1945, following the end of World War II, Gibbs submitted his plans to the US Maritime Commission.
The commission wanted a luxury ocean liner that could also be converted to use should another war break out.
Gibbs submitted his design. It provided that the ship’s luxury furnishings could be removed to transport an entire U.S. Army Division (around 14,500 men) in the event of another war.
Ship is designed and set to sea
SS United States was designed with an unusual amount of co-operation from the U.S. Navy.
After briefly being requisitioned for use during the Korean War, it was eventually sent back, one month later, to be built for it’s original purpose.
SS United States was christened and put to sea on on June 23rd, 1951.
The ship made its maiden voyage from July 3rd to July 7th, 1952 – a trip from New York to Southampton, UK.
In the process, it smashed the eastbound transatlantic speed record, averaging a speed of 40.96mph.
On its way back, the ship broke the westbound transatlantic record, averaging a speed of 39.71mph.
Sadly, the days of ocean liners came and went, especially with the advent of air travel.
SS United States eventually fell into a state of disrepair and decline, and was bought and sold by several individuals before finally being bought by a conservation group in 2010.
SS United States cruises the waves for the last time
After several years of back-and-forth legal issues, Florida’s Okaloosa County agreed to buy the ship.
It was decided that, alongside the U.S.S. Oriskany, the SS United States would serve as a great artificial coral reef.
At the time of writing, the ship is en-route to Mobile, Alabama, to be prepared for scuttling.
The ship has been towed by a tugboat through the remnants of a winter storm off the coast of North Carolina.
And it has produced some truly spectacular scenery.
Whilst it’s sad to see such a historic ship go, it is good that SS United States will serve once again – this time, under the waves.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
