Latest news with #SusanGibbs
The Independent
03-03-2025
- The Independent
Why authorities plan to sink this historic ocean liner in waters off Florida
The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world's largest artificial reef will arrive in Alabama on Monday to begin planned prep work. The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is being towed to Mobile to be prepared before officials eventually sink it off Florida 's Gulf Coast. The ship departed from south Philadelphia 's Delaware River waterfront in mid-February, marking the opening segment of its final voyage. It came four months after the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord resolved a years-old rent dispute. Officials initially planned to move the vessel last November, but that was delayed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard that the ship wasn't stable enough to make the trip. Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida 's coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county's more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction that could generate millions of dollars annually in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels. Officials have said the deal to buy the ship could eventually cost more than $10 million. The lengthy process of cleaning, transporting and sinking the vessel is expected to take at least one-and-a-half years. The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic 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 transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner. 'The ship will forever symbolize our nation's strength, innovation, and resilience,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel. "We wish her 'fair winds and following seas' on her historic journey to her new home.' The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it. But they eventually found their plans too expensive or poorly timed, leaving the vessel looming for years on south Philadelphia 's Delaware River waterfront.
CNN
19-02-2025
- General
- CNN
SS United States finally leaves Philadelphia to begin its last chapter
After months of multiple delays, the SS United States finally left its longtime home of Philadelphia just before 1 p.m. ET Wednesday. The storied ocean liner's next stop is Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for its final mission — to become an artificial reef off the coast of the Florida Panhandle. The American maritime icon, nearly as large as the Chrysler Building, was launched in 1951 and set the transatlantic speed record in 1952. 'Today, the nation's sole surviving ocean liner will glide down the Delaware River to begin the next chapter in her uniquely American story,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship's designer, William Francis Gibbs, in statement just before ship left. After spending nearly three decades docked empty in Philadelphia, the tow to Mobile is expected to take about two weeks. Observers of the SS United States' move had become accustomed to changes of plans. Last fall, the biggest hurdle came in the form of a 'Captain of the Port Order' from the Coast Guard. The order said Florida's Okaloosa County, which is receiving the ship, needed to restore the ship's structural integrity before it would be allowed to depart. It was all set to go on February 6 when departure was again postponed 'due to follow-up details requested by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure a proper tow from Pier 82 to Pier 80.' In the fall of 2024, Okaloosa County bought the ship to sink her and create the 'world's largest artificial reef.' The ship's final home will be under about 180 feet (55 meters) of water out about 20 miles (32 kilometers) in the Gulf of Mexico. The admiration never ceased, and the ship's final fate has brought mixed emotions. '(It's) heartbreaking to see it go,' said Kelly Micca in November. Micca spent several weeks painting a picture of the SS United States on an electrical pole across from the pier. 'It's such a perfect landmark.' On Wednesday, one commenter on the SS United States Conservancy's Facebook page said, 'Poor gal deserved a better fate than what she's about to receive. The scuba videos will be interesting though.'
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Historic ocean liner departs Philadelphia on voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef
The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world's largest artificial reef departed from south Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront on Wednesday, marking the opening segment of its final voyage. The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for planned prep work before officials eventually sink it off Florida's Gulf Coast. The move comes about four months after the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord resolved a years-old rent dispute. Officials initially planned to move the vessel last November, but that was delayed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard that the ship wasn't stable enough to make the trip. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida's coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county's more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction that could generate millions of dollars annually in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels. Officials have said the deal to buy the ship could eventually cost more than $10 million. The lengthy process of cleaning, transporting and sinking the vessel is expected to take at least one-and-a-half years. The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic 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 transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner. 'The ship will forever symbolize our nation's strength, innovation, and resilience,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel. "We wish her 'fair winds and following seas' on her historic journey to her new home.' The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it. But they eventually found their plans too expensive or poorly timed, leaving the vessel looming for years on south Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Historic ocean liner departs Philadelphia on voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef
The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world's largest artificial reef departed from south Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront on Wednesday, marking the opening segment of its final voyage. The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for planned prep work before officials eventually sink it off Florida's Gulf Coast. The move comes about four months after the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord resolved a years-old rent dispute. Officials initially planned to move the vessel last November, but that was delayed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard that the ship wasn't stable enough to make the trip. Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida's coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county's more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction that could generate millions of dollars annually in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels. Officials have said the deal to buy the ship could eventually cost more than $10 million. The lengthy process of cleaning, transporting and sinking the vessel is expected to take at least one-and-a-half years. The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic 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 transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner. 'The ship will forever symbolize our nation's strength, innovation, and resilience,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel. "We wish her 'fair winds and following seas' on her historic journey to her new home.' The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it. But they eventually found their plans too expensive or poorly timed, leaving the vessel looming for years on south Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SS United States finally leaves Philadelphia to begin its last chapter
After months of multiple delays, the SS United States finally left its longtime home of Philadelphia just before 1 p.m. ET Wednesday. The storied ocean liner's next stop is Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for its final mission — to become an artificial reef off the coast of the Florida Panhandle. The American maritime icon, nearly as large as the Chrysler Building, was launched in 1951 and set the transatlantic speed record in 1952. 'Today, the nation's sole surviving ocean liner will glide down the Delaware River to begin the next chapter in her uniquely American story,' said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship's designer, William Francis Gibbs, in statement just before ship left. After spending nearly three decades docked empty in Philadelphia, the tow to Mobile is expected to take about two weeks. Observers of the SS United States' move had become accustomed to changes of plans. Last fall, the biggest hurdle came in the form of a 'Captain of the Port Order' from the Coast Guard. The order said Florida's Okaloosa County, which is receiving the ship, needed to restore the ship's structural integrity before it would be allowed to depart. It was all set to go on February 6 when departure was again postponed 'due to follow-up details requested by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure a proper tow from Pier 82 to Pier 80.' In the fall of 2024, Okaloosa County bought the ship to sink her and create the 'world's largest artificial reef.' The ship's final home will be under about 180 feet (55 meters) of water out about 20 miles (32 kilometers) in the Gulf of Mexico. For more than 70 years, the SS United States captivated the hearts and minds of Americans for her distinguished beauty. Among its passengers: multiple US presidents and Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa.' She was withdrawn from service in 1969. The admiration never ceased, and the ship's final fate has brought mixed emotions. '(It's) heartbreaking to see it go,' said Kelly Micca in November. Micca spent several weeks painting a picture of the SS United States on an electrical pole across from the pier. 'It's such a perfect landmark.' On Wednesday, one commenter on the SS United States Conservancy's Facebook page said, 'Poor gal deserved a better fate than what she's about to receive. The scuba videos will be interesting though.'
