Latest news with #SSUnitedStatesConservancy
CNN
07-08-2025
- CNN
The next leg of the fastest transatlantic ocean liner's journey is underway
FacebookTweetLink From anchors aweigh to funnels ashore. As the historic SS United States gets ready to be converted into the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida, a new plan for an accompanying museum is coming into focus — preserving its iconic massive funnels. The two six-story-high towering funnels will soon be removed from America's flagship, to be used as a 'dramatic centerpiece' of the SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, according to an announcement this week by the SS United States Conservancy Board. 'By incorporating iconic components from the historic ocean liner into an architecturally stunning land-based museum, the SS United States will continue to excite and inspire future generations,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the conservancy. The SS United States — nearly as large as the Chrysler Building — is an American maritime icon, which launched in 1951 and set the transatlantic speed record the following year. But after spending nearly three decades sitting dormant in Philadelphia, the ship was sold to Okaloosa County in Florida, to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef. While fans and supporters of the 'Big U' were hoping for a different outcome, the SS United States Conservancy felt this was the best option to prevent her from being scrapped. And the eventual sinking came with the promise of a museum to commemorate the American legend. The conservancy announced on Monday that museum design firm Thinc Design has agreed to take on the project. 'In close collaboration with the Conservancy, we look forward to designing dynamic, interactive exhibits that create an unforgettable experience for all visitors,' said Tom Hennes, founder of Thinc Design. The future museum — whose conceptual renderings prominently feature the massive funnels and a dock extending into the nearby bay — will also hold 'artwork, artifacts, vintage photographs, and film footage' from and of the ship, the announcement said. Currently, the ocean liner is still in Mobile, Alabama, preparing to be sunk. A representative for the conservancy told CNN that Okaloosa County is estimating the final sink could happen by the end of the year or early 2026. The museum would be located in Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, about 20 miles north of the ship's resting place. While longtime fans of the ship are still mourning the loss of the SS United States to the bottom of the ocean, some were happy with the new museum design update. 'I like the idea that both funnels would be used,' commented one fan on the conservancy's Facebook page. 'The gutted hull will give back (to) the ocean it once sailed and much of the interior and top of the ship will be preserved for history.'
CNN
07-08-2025
- CNN
The next leg of the fastest transatlantic ocean liner's journey is underway
From anchors aweigh to funnels ashore. As the historic SS United States gets ready to be converted into the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida, a new plan for an accompanying museum is coming into focus — preserving its iconic massive funnels. The two six-story-high towering funnels will soon be removed from America's flagship, to be used as a 'dramatic centerpiece' of the SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, according to an announcement this week by the SS United States Conservancy Board. 'By incorporating iconic components from the historic ocean liner into an architecturally stunning land-based museum, the SS United States will continue to excite and inspire future generations,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the conservancy. The SS United States — nearly as large as the Chrysler Building — is an American maritime icon, which launched in 1951 and set the transatlantic speed record the following year. But after spending nearly three decades sitting dormant in Philadelphia, the ship was sold to Okaloosa County in Florida, to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef. While fans and supporters of the 'Big U' were hoping for a different outcome, the SS United States Conservancy felt this was the best option to prevent her from being scrapped. And the eventual sinking came with the promise of a museum to commemorate the American legend. The conservancy announced on Monday that museum design firm Thinc Design has agreed to take on the project. 'In close collaboration with the Conservancy, we look forward to designing dynamic, interactive exhibits that create an unforgettable experience for all visitors,' said Tom Hennes, founder of Thinc Design. The future museum — whose conceptual renderings prominently feature the massive funnels and a dock extending into the nearby bay — will also hold 'artwork, artifacts, vintage photographs, and film footage' from and of the ship, the announcement said. Currently, the ocean liner is still in Mobile, Alabama, preparing to be sunk. A representative for the conservancy told CNN that Okaloosa County is estimating the final sink could happen by the end of the year or early 2026. The museum would be located in Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, about 20 miles north of the ship's resting place. While longtime fans of the ship are still mourning the loss of the SS United States to the bottom of the ocean, some were happy with the new museum design update. 'I like the idea that both funnels would be used,' commented one fan on the conservancy's Facebook page. 'The gutted hull will give back (to) the ocean it once sailed and much of the interior and top of the ship will be preserved for history.'
CNN
07-08-2025
- CNN
The next leg of the fastest transatlantic ocean liner's journey is underway
From anchors aweigh to funnels ashore. As the historic SS United States gets ready to be converted into the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida, a new plan for an accompanying museum is coming into focus — preserving its iconic massive funnels. The two six-story-high towering funnels will soon be removed from America's flagship, to be used as a 'dramatic centerpiece' of the SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, according to an announcement this week by the SS United States Conservancy Board. 'By incorporating iconic components from the historic ocean liner into an architecturally stunning land-based museum, the SS United States will continue to excite and inspire future generations,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the conservancy. The SS United States — nearly as large as the Chrysler Building — is an American maritime icon, which launched in 1951 and set the transatlantic speed record the following year. But after spending nearly three decades sitting dormant in Philadelphia, the ship was sold to Okaloosa County in Florida, to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef. While fans and supporters of the 'Big U' were hoping for a different outcome, the SS United States Conservancy felt this was the best option to prevent her from being scrapped. And the eventual sinking came with the promise of a museum to commemorate the American legend. The conservancy announced on Monday that museum design firm Thinc Design has agreed to take on the project. 'In close collaboration with the Conservancy, we look forward to designing dynamic, interactive exhibits that create an unforgettable experience for all visitors,' said Tom Hennes, founder of Thinc Design. The future museum — whose conceptual renderings prominently feature the massive funnels and a dock extending into the nearby bay — will also hold 'artwork, artifacts, vintage photographs, and film footage' from and of the ship, the announcement said. Currently, the ocean liner is still in Mobile, Alabama, preparing to be sunk. A representative for the conservancy told CNN that Okaloosa County is estimating the final sink could happen by the end of the year or early 2026. The museum would be located in Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, about 20 miles north of the ship's resting place. While longtime fans of the ship are still mourning the loss of the SS United States to the bottom of the ocean, some were happy with the new museum design update. 'I like the idea that both funnels would be used,' commented one fan on the conservancy's Facebook page. 'The gutted hull will give back (to) the ocean it once sailed and much of the interior and top of the ship will be preserved for history.'
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mobile to bid ‘iconic' ship farewell
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — The SS United States Conservancy is in the early design phase of a land-based museum to display artifacts and showcase the history of the SS United States. Mobile business employee injured while trying to stop alleged shoplifter The museum's exact location has not yet been decided, though renderings have begun based on dimensions of potential property in partnership with Okaloosa County. Early rendering of the potential museum in Okaloosa County with ship parts of the SS United States. (Courtesy of SS United States Conservancy) Warren Jones with the Conservancy Board of Directors said a meeting will take place this week with top donors to push forward the presented designs. 'The county has, again, partnered with us so we'll help out with the search for property and bounce around some ideas on that as well, and then they're involved in the transport of funnels to a temporary location,' Jones said. 'We've looked at the exhibits, and we've kind of mapped out what we would exhibit in the museum. There are thousands and thousands of artifacts for this museum, and they are all over the East Coast.' Having launched 74 years ago, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed records during her maiden voyage and has carried over 1 million passengers during her time on the water before being docked in 1996. 'The record's never been broken, both eastbound and westbound, never been broken,' Jones added. 'It will never be matched, and so it's really that, you know, we, the SS United States Conservancy, have tried since 2011 to have this ship repurposed as a multi-purpose stationary ship, hotel rooms, event spaces, eateries, as such.' Gulf Breeze man wins Florida lottery Although the museum groundbreaking has no set date, reefing expects to be completed around the start of the new year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
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.
