Latest news with #SSUnitedStates
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Campaigners call on Donald Trump to save historic liner with links to Southampton
A campaign group has appealed to US President Donald Trump to save a historic steam liner with links to Southampton that is due to be sunk. The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has appealed to the federal courts and President Trump to try and stop the vessel being sunk off the coast of Florida. Owner of the SS United States, Okaloosa County, plan to sink the vessel and create the world's largest artificial reef. Campaign group, the New York Coalition was created last October - just two months after Okaloosa County bought the vessel. The Coalition argues the SS United States has 'inestimable historic value to which the people of the United States have a sovereign interest from being sunk dismembered or destroyed." In letters sent to the office of Attorney General, Pam Bondi and President Trump, the Coalition asked whether the ship should be taken for public use with just compensation paid to the county. READ MORE: Pictures show inside SS United states before ship is sunk Okaloosa County have dismissed the legal appeal launched by the Coalition and said that the organisation was only "involved itself for the sole purpose of preventing the county from following through on its plans." It also added that so far, the Trump administration is yet to confirm it is aware of the action being taken by the New York Coalition to save the SS United States. For 17 years the liner powered through the Atlantic making constant journeys between Southampton and New York, and was met crowds of almost 70,000 when she first came to Hampshire in 1952. The SS United States was also the fastest ship in the world at the time. Before being passed into the hands of Okaloosa County, the vessel's last owner, the SS United States Conservancy planned to turn the liner into a floating hotel venue - but these plans never got off the ground. It is so far unclear if the legal motion by the New York Coalition will affect Okaloosa County's plans for the SS United States.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
NY group appeals to Trump to stop SS United States from being sunk
NY group appeals to Trump to stop SS United States from being sunk Show Caption Hide Caption SS United States docks in Mobile before becoming artificial reef The SS United States will remain in Mobile for about six months before it will be sunk to become the world's largest artificial reef. The lawsuit appeals to President Trump to save SS United States as "not just a matter of preserving a historic vessel, but honoring the legacy of American greatness." A motion by Okaloosa County to dismiss the lawsuit claims group suing "involved itself for the sole purpose of preventing the county from following through on its plans." With no order to halt work Okaloosa County's contractor continues efforts to make the ship ready by early next year to be towed about 20 miles off Destin and sunk to create an artificial reef A group calling itself the New York Coalition to Save the Steam Ship United States has appealed to federal courts to save the 1950s ocean liner from being sunk off Okaloosa County's coast A group calling itself the New York Coalition to Save the Steam Ship United States has appealed to federal courts, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump in a last-ditch effort to prevent the iconic 1950s-era superliner from being sunk off Florida's Gulf Coast to create the world's largest artificial reef. The Feb. 10 appeal said that preserving the ship amounts to "not just a matter of preserving a historic vessel but honoring the legacy of American greatness." U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers on April 23 denied a motion by Okaloosa County, Florida, the owner of the SS United States, to have the lawsuit dismissed. The case was originally filed March 2 in U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Florida. The New York Coalition to Save the Steam Ship United States was created last October, about two months after Okaloosa County bought the vessel with plans to remove it from a port in Philadelphia it had occupied for nearly three decades. Is it too late to save the ship? By Feb. 10, when the group sent letters to Bondi and Trump, preparations were well underway to haul the 990-foot liner to Alabama, where a contractor would begin removing all non-metal materials from the vessel so that it could be sunk in an environmentally-friendly manner. The journey begins: SS United States starts last voyage to its final destination – at the bottom of the Gulf In a court document, the coalition says its members are dedicated to preserving historic landmarks in New York. It calls the SS United States "an American-built steamship of inestimable historic value to which the people of the United States have a sovereign interest from being sunk, dismembered or destroyed." In letters addressed to Bondi and Trump, the group appealed to the nation's highest offices to decide whether the SS United States should be taken for public use with fair compensation to the county "rather than allowing the ship, which is due to be irrevocably cut apart, dismembered and sunk as an artificial reef in the waters of the Gulf." The letter says the ship, if saved, "could become among the greatest economic and cultural sites in Brooklyn." An illustrated look: How SS United States, bigger than Titanic, will become world's largest artificial reef The county argues the New York coalition's claims are baseless. "(The group) asks this court to restrain the county from utilizing its tangible property as it desires," the motion to dismiss said. It notes that the SS United States had been left for almost 30 years at its Philadelphia mooring site and suffered irreparable damage there due to lack of proper care. The ship, which in its heyday bore four presidents across the Atlantic Ocean and broke transatlantic travel records, had several owners after being retired in 1969. Its most recent owner before Okaloosa County, the SS United States Conservancy, purchased the ship in 2011 with plans to transform it into a hotel, condominiums or multi-purpose venue. "Such plans never came to fruition," the motion to dismiss said. "And in 2024 the conservancy and its vessel faced imminent eviction from (its berth) Pier 82 (in Philadelphia)." The county claims the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States didn't enter the picture until two months after Okaloosa County bought the ship and began preparing to move it. The group "involved itself for the sole purpose of preventing the county from following through on its plans." Looking back: With SS United States set to be sunk, passengers remember the iconic ocean liner The motion noted that as of March 28, when the motion was filed, the coalition had heard nothing from the Trump Administration regarding the vessel. "At present, the (coalition) does not know whether the Executive Branch of the United States is even aware of the letter, let alone whether it is being considered," the motion said. Work already underway to prepare for sinking The county's motion said that while seeking possession of the SS United States, the New York coalition failed to request that Okaloosa County halt the work of preparing the ship to be sunk. The coalition argues that moving the prominent outside features such as the vessel's two prominent smokestacks will forever preclude "any hope of preserving the ship afloat and intact." With no order to halt work, crews in Mobile, Alabama, continue work to make the ship ready by early next year to be towed somewhere about 20 miles off Florida's Gulf Coast and sunk. "Crews have removed some deck paint from the upper decks and have made a lot of progress on cleaning all 121 fuel tanks on board, Okaloosa County spokesman Nick Tomecek said in an email to the Panama City News Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network. "Work is also progressing on removing wiring and all other non-metal items on board the ship." The county has agreed to expend more than $10 million to create the world's largest artificial reef, and part of the funding go toward creating an SS United States Conservancy museum. Tomecek said when the smokestacks are removed in coming weeks, at least one of them will be preserved and displayed at the museum.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic ship embarks on final voyage to become world's largest artificial reef: 'An emotional maritime moment'
An ocean liner that holds the transatlantic speed record and once carried movie stars and presidents across the sea is about to embark on a new voyage — at the bottom of the ocean. The SS United States, long celebrated as America's flagship, will soon be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef, according to Nice News. The ship had long been out of use and was under a court eviction order, putting it in the crosshairs of being scrapped. Instead, the historic vessel will be carefully prepared and sunk off the coast of Florida, becoming a permanent home for marine life and an intriguing destination for divers and researchers. "This is an emotional maritime moment," Capt. Joseph Farrell, a ship-sinking and reef expert, told NBC Philadelphia. "The SS United States is a testament to America's might and engineering ingenuity. Her sinking is the final chapter for the last all-American-made, America-flagged ocean liner." And it's easy to understand the nostalgia. The ship, which is over 100 feet longer than the Titanic, set off on its maiden voyage in 1952 and once carried John F. Kennedy, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe as an iconic symbol of Americana. Its next journey may just be the most meaningful yet. The SS United States Conservancy has long been working to protect the ship's legacy, and former President Bill Clinton called it "a symbol of our country's industry and accomplishment." However, attempts to find a new port or make it an attraction have failed. Luckily, artificial reefing offers the SS United States a new life that preserves its legacy in an eco-friendly way. Artificial reefs help restore damaged ecosystems by providing shelter for fish, coral, and other marine life. They also ease pressure on natural reef systems by drawing tourism and supporting coastal economies. This is a perfect example of how communities can honor their cultural heritage while also boosting local economies and building a cleaner, safer future for all of us. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," a news release stated. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
NBC News
04-04-2025
- General
- NBC News
Historic ocean liner off Florida's Gulf Coast will soon be the world's largest artificial reef
A historic ocean liner will become the world's largest artificial reef once it reaches its final resting place off Florida's Gulf Coast. Competing diving businesses are vying for the massive ship to be scuttled closer to them, while one group is suing to stop the ship from being sunk at all. The SS United States, a nearly 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is going through a monthslong scouring at the Port of Mobile in Alabama. Workers will empty and clean all 120 fuel tanks, as well as remove chemicals, wiring, plastic and glass. 'There's a lot of nasties on vessels that were built back in the '50s,' Okaloosa County coastal resource manager Alex Fogg said. 'Basically, when it's ready to be deployed, it will be a steel and aluminum structure.' The SS United States is set to join Okaloosa County's more than 500 artificial reefs, which include a dozen smaller ship wrecks. Officials hope to draw tourists and generate millions of dollars annually for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels, as well as provide habitat for critical fish species and other sea life. 'The goal here is to be the dive capital of the state of Florida,' Fogg said. 'We're even trying to surpass the Florida Keys.' Fogg said they expect to have the SS United States sunk by the end of the year at one of three permitted locations, all just over 20 nautical miles from Destin, Florida. All three locations are the same depth, about 180 feet of water to the sand, but the vessel is so tall that the top decks will be about 60 feet from the surface. 'That's very much within the beginner diver profile, and those deeper depths will be certainly attractive to those technical and advanced divers,' Fogg said. Bay County officials have agreed to offer $3 million to Okaloosa County to sink the SS United States closer to Panama City Beach. Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe said his area has one of the largest dive boat fleets along the northern Gulf Coast. Bay County has a long history of developing technology used in underwater exploration and the U.S. Navy's dive school is located at Naval Support Activity Panama City. 'Diving is part of our DNA,' Rowe said.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- The Independent
The SS United States is a piece of maritime history. Now it's becoming an artificial reef
A piece of maritime history, the SS United States, is set to become the world's largest artificial reef, destined for the depths of Florida 's Gulf Coast. However, the ocean liner's final resting place is contested, with competing diving businesses vying for its proximity. Meanwhile, there have been legal challenges to halt the sinking entirely. Currently undergoing a meticulous month-long cleaning at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, the nearly 1,000-foot vessel is being prepared for its transformation. Workers are painstakingly emptying and cleaning all 120 fuel tanks, removing chemicals, wiring, plastic, and glass to mitigate any potential environmental impact. The ship, which shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is now at the centre of a tug-of-war, its future hanging in the balance. While some envision the ship as a vibrant underwater attraction, others raise concerns about the ecological consequences of such a massive undertaking. 'There's a lot of nasties on vessels that were built back in the '50s," Okaloosa County coastal resource manager Alex Fogg said. 'Basically, when it's ready to be deployed, it will be a steel and aluminum structure." The SS United States is set to join Okaloosa County's more than 500 artificial reefs, which include a dozen smaller ship wrecks. Officials hope to draw tourists and generate millions of dollars annually for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels, as well as provide habitat for critical fish species and other sea life. 'The goal here is to be the dive capital of the state of Florida,' Fogg said. 'We're even trying to surpass the Florida Keys.' Fogg said they expect to have the SS United States sunk by the end of the year at one of three permitted locations, all just over 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) from Destin, Florida. All three locations are the same depth, about 180 feet (55 meters) of water to the sand, but the vessel is so tall that the top decks will be about 60 feet (18 meters) from the surface. 'That's very much within the beginner diver profile, and those deeper depths will be certainly attractive to those technical and advanced divers,' Fogg said. Bay County officials have agreed to offer $3 million to Okaloosa County to sink the SS United States closer to Panama City Beach. Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe said his area has one of the largest dive boat fleets along the northern Gulf Coast. Bay County has a long history of developing technology used in underwater exploration and the U.S. Navy's dive school is located at Naval Support Activity Panama City. ' Diving is part of our DNA,' Rowe said. Escambia County officials are offering only $1 million to sink the ship closer to Pensacola, but Visit Pensacola President and CEO Darien Schaefer said the western location is just 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) away from to the USS Oriskany, another popular dive site sunk in 2006. He said divers would be able to visit both wrecks in a single day. 'We just think it would be a legendary dive site to have those two wrecks within close proximity,' Schaefer said. The SS United States arrived in Alabama at the beginning of March following a 12-day tow from Philadelphia's Delaware River, where it has spent nearly three decades. Okaloosa County was able to take ownership of the vessel after a years-old rent dispute was resolved in October between the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord. Various groups have attempted to restore the SS United States over the years, but all plans were eventually abandoned because of the steep cost. Recently, increased media attention has generated more calls to preserve the ship, and a group called the New York Coalition has even filed a lawsuit in Pensacola federal court asking a judge to halt sinking such a historically significant vessel. But preventing the SS United States from becoming a reef would only send it to the scrapyard, Fogg said. Also, the county's $10.1 million plan to purchase, move, clean and sink the ship includes $1 million toward a landside museum to promote the ship's history. 'Once the vessel is deployed as an artificial reef, there are going to be more people visiting it in the first month of it underwater than have visited it in the last 30 years," Fogg said. The SS United States, more than 100 feet (30 meters) longer than the RMS Titanic, was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the trans-Atlantic speed record in both directions when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph (66 kph), The Associated Press reported from aboard the ship. The ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Mary's time by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the trans-Atlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
