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An ocean liner which hosted Marilyn Monroe and Dwight Eisenhower is on its final journey to the bottom of the sea in Florida.
The historic SS United States ocean liner is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef after leaving its moor in south Philadelphia‘s Delaware River waterfront.
The plan was proposed by officials in Okaloosa County, Florida, who said sinking the SS United States could provide a home for marine life and attract divers from ‘around the world’.
The 1,000-foot vessel is being slowly towed to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be stripped and prepared to be sunk on the Gulf Coast.
Just months ago, it was feared the ship was in too terrible of a condition to even make the long journey, but inspections finally passed and the ship is on its way.
Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida’s coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county’s more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction that could generate millions in local tourism.
Even though the ship is on its way down south, it will take another 18 months to fully clean and sink the vessel.
The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops.
Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic speed record in both directions when it reached an average speed of 36 knots.
The ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes. To this day, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel, said: ‘The ship will forever symbolise our nation’s strength, innovation and resilience.
‘We wish her ‘fair winds and following seas’ on her historic journey to her new home.’
The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later moved to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it.
Other shipwrecks have allowed marine life to flourish, including Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’, at the bottom of the Antarctic.
Sea anemones, sponges and starfish now cover the wreck. A bright yellow sea lilly – another name for a group of invertebrate marine creatures called crinoids – was also spotted.
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