FLORIDA'S OKALOOSA COUNTY ANNOUNCES ANTICIPATED TIMING FOR SS UNITED STATES' PHILADELPHIA DEPARTURE

After completing comprehensive due diligence involving extensive testing and reporting to local, state, and federal agencies, Okaloosa County has now received final approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to begin moving the SS United States from Pier 82 in South Philadelphia to a docking area in Mobile, Alabama.

While still subject to last-minute changes or cancellations due to weather or other factors, operations to move America’s Flagship will begin on Thursday, February 6th, with the ship being moved laterally from Pier 82 to the adjacent Pier 80. She will then be towed down the Delaware River on Saturday, February 8th. The complex operation will be conducted in phases: 

• February 6, 2025: At 6:00am ET, tugboats will secure themselves to the SS United States at Pier 82 and begin maneuvering the vessel to the north side of the slip where she will be secured to Pier 80.
• February 8, 2025: Tugboats will maneuver the SS United States out into the Delaware River at approximately 3:30am ET and then proceed down river during low tide at approximately 4:30am ET. The ship will pass under the various bridges (Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76), Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), and the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295) along her route, with the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) coordinating bridge closures. 

Please Note: These are tentative times and dates that remain subject to change. We will continue to keep you informed as plans advance. 

VIEWING THE SS UNITED STATES' DEPARTURE FROM PHILADELPHIA

We recognize that many of our supporters are interested in seeing America's Flagship depart from Philadelphia either in-person or tracking her progress online.

To facilitate your participation, a livestream will be broadcast on the SS United States Conservancy's Facebook page. The stream will go live at approximately 4:15am on Saturday, February 8, 2025, in advance of America's Flagship passing under the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Because Piers 82 and 80 are both within an area secured by the Transportation Security Administration (part of the Department of Homeland Security), the general public cannot access the piers. Potential viewing locations include:

• The IKEA parking lot at 2206 S Columbus Blvd in Philadelphia.
• The second-floor cafeteria at IKEA, which opens daily at 11:00 AM.
• Waterfront public parks such as Phoenix Park at 227 Jefferson Street in Camden, New Jersey.

There are also several potential vantage points along the Delaware River south of the Walt Whitman Bridge. The include:

• Fort Mifflin (6400 Hog Island Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153)
• Red Bank Battlefield (100 Hessian Ave, National Park, NJ 08063)
• Fort Nassau (110 New Jersey Rd, Brooklawn, NJ 08030)
• Freedom Pier (101 S King St, Gloucester City, NJ 08030)
• RiverWinds Complex (1000 RiverWinds Drive, West Deptford, NJ 08086)

Through an onboard GPS tracking device, you can follow the ship's journey at www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus. Tracking will commence when the moving operation begins.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?

We Answer Some of Your Questions Here.

Since completing the sale of the SS United States to Florida's Okaloosa County, the Conservancy has begun charting a new course. We are planning an exciting land-based museum, pictured in the conceptual rendering produced by renowned author-illustrator David Macaulay. 

Our future museum will proudly tell the story of the “Big U” as an innovative marvel and design masterpiece.  We invite you to join us as we work to ensure that the SS United States inspires and endures for future generations. 

Many of you have reached out to the Conservancy to learn what's next for our organization. We have compiled some FAQs, which address many of the most common inquiries. We encourage you to continue reaching out to us and read our complete FAQs on our website.

Will the Conservancy close its doors now that it no longer owns the SS United States?

The Conservancy owns a tremendous collection of artifacts and historical materials from the SS United States. We will continue our crucial mission of celebrating and commemorating our nation’s flagship. The Conservancy plans an exciting land-based museum and innovation center and will recreate some of the ship’s most historically significant features and spaces. Our future museum will explore the SS United States’ emergence as an iconic American achievement and examine broader themes of 20th century post-war society, maritime history, science and technology, and mid-century modern art and design. The Conservancy continues to expand its permanent collection of SS United States artifacts, historical documents, artwork, and ship fixtures.

What happens to the money raised by the Conservancy’s recent campaign to tow the ship to a new home?  

Under the extreme time pressure of a court order, we launched a fundraising effort earlier this year to help cover the costs of the ship’s potential relocation on short notice. We stressed that any contributions received would also support ongoing ship-related expenses, as well as ensuring our curatorial mission would continue regardless of the outcome for the ship. This includes the costs of organizing, managing, and securely storing a vast and growing number of small and large artifacts and archival materials. Under our agreement with Okaloosa County, specific items aboard the ship will remain under the Conservancy’s ownership, but the costs of transporting these items to the future museum site may fall exclusively to the Conservancy. Our ongoing educational and awareness programs will continue without interruption.  



Unfortunately, no logistically workable alternate location for the ship could be secured before the clock ran out. All funds raised will prove vital toward our continued museum and outreach work. As a national non-profit 501(c)3, the Conservancy has always relied entirely on donations which are tax deductible as allowed by law.

How can there be a museum without the ship? 

We have long dreamed of a freshly painted, gleaming and refitted SS United States inviting visitors to come aboard and enjoy her dazzling amenities, including a world class museum showcasing her storied career. As grand as the ship’s redevelopment would have been, the details of her creation, extraordinary service career, and tenacious post sailing life can also be conveyed and celebrated in a land-based tribute. The museum will incorporate vital elements still aboard the SS United States, such as her iconic funnels, the radar mast, the builder’s plate, one of her legendary 5-bladed propellers, important engine room components, and more. The Conservancy’s future museum will be open to all and help secure her place in history.

In the unlikely event the reefing plan hits a hurdle and can't advance, is there a contingency plan to save the ship?

Okaloosa County now holds clear and full title to the SS United States, and all purchase and sale contingencies have been met. The Conservancy has an excellent working relationship with County officials who have consistently shown their understanding of the passion for America’s Flagship by the Conservancy and its supporters worldwide. Okaloosa County officials have indicated to the Conservancy that there are no unforeseen circumstances that would prevent the County from moving forward with plans to deploy the SS United States as the "World’s Largest Artificial Reef."

As we navigate this new chapter, we want to assure our community that the SS United States Conservancy will remain committed, steadfast, vigilant, and protective of the SS United States as she is prepared for her new role in the Gulf in tandem with our extraordinary museum. While we grieve the loss of this magnificent ship in her current form, we must and we will continue to celebrate, honor, and conserve her extraordinary history and indomitable spirit.