SS United States’ final journey to become an artificial reef, in photos

💌 Love Philly? So do we. Let’s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today. Bon voyage, SS United States. The historic ocean liner known as the Big U and America s Flagship broke the transatlantic speed record in both directions in July 1952, travelling at speeds of more than 38 knots — almost 44 mph! — according to the SS United States Conservancy, the nonprofit that had been taking care of the ship. Its passengers included U.S. presidents and celebrities. The historic SS United States prepared to be deployed to the bottom of the Gulf off the coast of the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. It will become the world s largest artificial reef. (Screenshot of Okaloosa County livestream) But during Wednesday s Veterans Day send-off in Florida, the SS United States took its time in saying goodbye to those of us on land, and hello to its new chapter underwater in the Gulf as the world s largest artificial reef. The historic SS United States