The SS United States’ move from South Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, has been delayed again with no new move date confirmed as of this writing, writes Ximena Conde for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
While it was reported that the move could take place last week, it was canceled at the behest of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Late last year, the SS United States was sold to its new owners in Okaloosa County, who unveiled plans to have the historic vessel become an artificial reef at the bottom of the Florida Panhandle.
However, before that, it needs to first go to Alabama to undergo environmental remediation.
The process of moving the SS United States will take multiple days.
It first has to move from its home at Pier 82 to Pier 80 during high tide, and then pass under the Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry Bridges.
According to the new owners, the Coast Guard’s intentions to seek further details on how to executive the tow is the reason for the latest holdup.
Read more about the multi-layered story of the SS United States’ move toward becoming an artificial reef at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
_____
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in February 2025.
