People in New York City are advocating for the relocation of the SS United States, a historic ocean liner from the 1950s, aiming to restore it as a prominent waterfront attraction. However, the vessel’s current owners, Okaloosa County in Florida, plan to turn it into an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico by next year.
The county purchased the ship for $1 million last year and is insistent on its plans. A county official stated, “Okaloosa County is the owner of the vessel. We intend to deploy the SS United States as the world’s largest artificial reef.”
New York City Councilwoman Gale Brewer has pushed for a resolution that would urge Congress and the President to designate the ship as a historic site, reclaim it, and fund its restoration. She emphasized the ship’s historical significance, noting it once sailed to Europe during its prime.
Still, Brewer herself recognized the limitations of this initiative. Even if the resolution passes, it’s largely symbolic and changing the Florida owners’ minds could be, well, tough. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it,” she said, expressing concern that turning the ship into a reef doesn’t do justice to its legacy.
The last chance for the City Council to vote on this resolution is December 18, according to Brewer’s team. Some, like Paul, believe losing the ship would be a missed opportunity for creating an enriching public space or a maritime museum. He even mentioned the potential for it to be a unique waterfront dining spot.
A petition from the New York Coalition to Save the SS U.S. has garnered over 15,000 signatures. Minnesota Senator Andrew Lang mentioned that the coalition has even pinpointed a possible location for the ship in New York.
However, Okaloosa County’s proposal still stands: to sink the vessel about 180 feet deep for divers to explore, joining numerous other shipwrecks in the region.
Some advocate for the ship’s preservation claim that turning the SS United States into an artificial reef presents a chance to highlight the area on a global level. Darien Schaefer, president of Visit Pensacola, indicated that this transformation could elevate the entire region’s profile.
The county’s acquisition followed disputes between the SS United States Conservancy and the ownership group of its longtime home at Philadelphia Pier.
Originally built in the 1950s and decommissioned in 1969, the ship still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing for an ocean liner, reaching speeds of 44 miles per hour. Recently stripped of its interior, it has remained in Mobile, Alabama, preparing for its planned sinking.
Many history enthusiasts have expressed their frustration over the ship’s potential fate. During a New York City Council meeting on Brewer’s resolution, numerous testimonies were submitted from supporters spanning states and even countries.
Former education administrator David Di Gregorio remarked on the potential to transform the ship into a valuable cultural and economic resource. “The exterior of the SS United States is sleek, iconic, and nearly as long as the Chrysler Building, able to inspire millions again,” he said.
Gilma Fields from the SS American Ocean Liner Preservation Foundation voiced her disappointment, arguing that the nation should cherish its maritime history rather than let such historic vessels fade away. She stressed that her father had worked on the ship during its construction, making this cause personal.
