AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP COMPLETES HER FINAL VOYAGE

ARRIVES IN ALABAMA BAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

True to form, the SS United States has arrived in Mobile, Alabama ahead of schedule after an approximately 1,800-mile tow from her berth in Philadelphia (Photo left courtesy of Mark Gale.) The iconic national symbol and last surviving American ocean liner will now undergo preparations for her deployment as the “World’s Largest Artificial Reef” off Florida’s Gulf Coast near Destin-Fort Walton Beach. She will be the first artificial reef to be paired with a unique shoreside museum and visitor’s center, which will be the Conservancy's central mission moving forward. Conservancy President Susan Gibbs offered the following statement on the historic 401st voyage of the world’s fastest ocean liner:

“In the spirit of her record-breaking history, America’s Flagship concluded her journey from Philadelphia to Mobile faster than anticipated. As she moved through the waves for the first time in 28 years, countless onlookers and admirers along the country’s eastern seaboard were inspired by her majesty and beauty. 

Now, as she prepares for her next chapter, the SS United States Conservancy, together with Florida’s Okaloosa County, will advance the design and development of a dynamic and immersive museum and visitor’s center that will celebrate the ship’s place in American history. The Conservancy will also be telling her storied history in a major documentary film currently in production.

On behalf of supporters of the SS United States from across the nation and around the globe, we thank Captain Mike Vinik and his crew of the oceangoing tugboat Vinik #6 for their expert care during the tow of the ‘First Lady of the Seas’ over the course of her historic journey. The SS United States will never stop teaching us about American pride, purpose, and possibility.”

MUSEUM PLANNING UNDERWAY

The Conservancy is now advancing plans for a land-based SS United States museum. As depicted in this conceptual rendering by renowned author and illustrator David Macaulay, the exterior design will incorporate major architectural features from the vessel, including her funnels, radar mast, propeller, and other iconic elements. We will also showcase the ship's rich history through our extensive curatorial collections, as well as explore the cultural importance of the ship's mid-century modern art and design and the record-breaking engineering that made her a 20th century marvel.

During the museum planning and construction period, the Conservancy will continue to develop traveling and temporary exhibitions, expand our oral histories, mount new digital exhibitions, and grow our major collection of one-of-a-kind artifacts, artwork, furniture, and archival documentation of the ship’s remarkable history.

SS UNITED STATES' PICTURE PERFECT JOURNEY TO MOBILE

The SS United States put on quite a show for spectators along the East Coast since her departure from Philadelphia. Still majestic, sleek and inspiring, the ship awed countless onlookers and photographers. (Videos courtesy of @miami.living.305 and @brettbertini on Instagram.)

Here is a small sampling of the images captured as America's Flagship made her way south.

Did you capture images or video of the Big U in her element? We would love to see them! Please email info@ssusc.org with the full size files and how you wish to be credited.

The SS United States as seen from the shore of Highland Beach, Florida.

(Photo courtesy of Joanne Ryan)

The SS United States as seen from Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas.

(Photo courtesy of Melisa Lescoe-Jacobsen.)

The SS United States passing Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas.

(Photo courtesy of Cody Johnson.)

(Photo courtesy of Witt Farquhar.)