Historic ocean liner SS United States could become artificial reef in Florida’s coastline, sources say

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The iconic SS United States ship has loomed the south Philadelphia waterfront for nearly 30 years. However, it may soon leave its longtime home to become the newest artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf coast, CBS News Philadelphia reported.

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners is reviewing a $9 million budget for the 1,000 massive vessels to potentially be sunk off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coastline. 

However, nothing is set in stone yet.

Last month, a federal judge ordered that the vessel must be evicted from Pier 82 in Philadelphia by Sept. 12. That decision came following a legal tug-of-war between Penn Warehousing — the owner of the pier — and the SS United States Conservancy.

While the ship has been in south Philadelphia since 1996, its rental agreement with Penn Warehousing started in 2011, according to CBS News Philadelphia. The ship docked for $850. But in 2021, rent doubled to $1,700.

A complaint filed in federal court showed that the conservancy has since failed to pay the higher rent, but a conservancy attorney argued the higher rent was never negotiated with them and was raised improperly.

Penn Warehousing filed a lawsuit and the matter ended up before a federal judge in what was a two-day trial in August. The judge sided with Penn Warehousing, ruling the famed cruise liner cannot remain at the South Philadelphia pier beyond mid-September. 

This forced the conservancy to try and find a new temporary or permanent home within a matter of weeks. 

The other option would be to outright scrap the vessel, but sources told CBS News Philadelphia that sinking the ship — once properly converted and meets stringent environmental regulations — could be an alternative.

The SS U.S. was designed in the late 1940s. It was intended to move troops quickly in the event of war, but it wasn’t needed and instead became a cruise liner.

The vessel — which is longer than the Titanic — made its maiden voyage in 1952. It journeyed throughout the Atlantic Ocean for 17 years, carrying presidents, dignitaries and entertainers.