After Nearly 30 Years as Waterfront Landmark, SS United States Will Travel to Mobile, Alabama

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of famed naval architect and SS United States' designer, William Francis Gibbs, released the following statement as America's Flagship moves for the first time in 28 years:

“Today, the nation’s sole surviving ocean liner will glide down the Delaware River to begin the next chapter in her uniquely American story. As the fastest ship to ever cross the Atlantic travels for the first time since arriving in Philadelphia in 1996, we are reminded of the postwar high-water mark that the SS United States so gracefully and powerfully embodied when she was launched in 1951.

"After nearly three decades in Philadelphia, the iconic SS United States is now embarking on a two-week tow to Mobile, Alabama, to prepare for her ultimate resting place as the world’s largest artificial reef. Now under the care of new owners, the ship will forever symbolize our nation’s strength, innovation, and resilience. During this period of intense political polarization, America’s Flagship, built through a public-private partnership as a luxury liner and a top-secret, high-speed, troop transport to protect our national interests overseas, illustrates the power and the promise of coalescing around a common cause.

"The SS United States Conservancy looks forward to opening the doors of a future land-based museum that will celebrate and commemorate the ship's storied history. This new interactive museum and visitors center will boast a dazzling architectural design incorporating the SS United States' most iconic elements, including her funnels, radar mast, and propeller. Exhibitions will feature the Conservancy’s extensive collection of original artifacts and artwork, as well as unique immersive experiences that will transport visitors back to the golden age of transatlantic travel.

"We are grateful to the people of Philadelphia for their steadfast support and appreciation of the SS United States over so many years. As home to so many historic national landmarks, Philadelphia has been a fitting port-of-call for almost three decades. We also thank everyone who has supported the SS United States Conservancy during our 14-year stewardship of America’s Flagship, and we wish her “fair winds and following seas” on her historic journey to her new home.”

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Background on the SS United States Conservancy. A national nonprofit organization, the SS United States Conservancy rescued the nation’s sole remaining ocean liner from being scrapped in 2011 and leads the global effort to celebrate and commemorate America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the development of a land-based museum that will preserve the legacy of the iconic vessel and inspire generations. Through its curatorial collections and educational programs, the Conservancy works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit ssusc.org or the Conservancy's Facebook page.

Background on the SS United States' Pier Dispute. The nation's sole remaining historic ocean liner was evicted from her berth in 2024 by pier operator Penn Warehousing after doubling the ship’s dockage fees. While the SS United States Conservancy prevailed in court against these rent demands, a court-ordered timeline for the ship’s removal ultimately forced the Conservancy to sell the historic vessel to Florida’s Okaloosa County, which plans to convert the retired ocean liner into the world’s largest artificial reef.