SS United States departure from Philly delayed, inclement weather

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The departure of the historic United States steamship (SS) from Philadelphia has been delayed yet again, due to inclement weather.

An Okaloosa County spokesperson announced that the SS United States’ departure from Philly has been delayed to Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

“After careful consideration and out of an abundance of caution, the departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 due to persisting high wind conditions. She will begin moving south down the Delaware River at low tide at 12:51 p.m. Tug boats will begin to position her off of pier 80 two to three hours before low tide,” the spokesperson wrote.

On Feb. 14, 2025, the SS United States was moved from Pier 82 to Pier 80 in Philadelphia. It was originally scheduled to depart to Mobile, Alabama on Feb. 17, 2025, where the SS eventually will be taken to a point in the Gulf 20 miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. It will be sunk and become the world’s largest artificial reef.

What is an artificial reef?

An artificial reef is a man-made structure in the ocean or a freshwater body that encourages sustainability in marine life.

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Created in launched in 1952, SS United States to this day, holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.

SS United States has loomed on South Philadelphia’s Delaware waterfront for years. The ship was then purchased by Okaloosa County, Florida, for $10 million in October 2024.

Once the ship begins its journey south, it will travel via multiple tugboats to Mobile, Alabama, where it will begin a year-long transformation into an artificial reef.

SS United States Departure from Philly Delayed… Again was originally published on rnbphilly.com