The SS United States, once the largest and fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic, now confronts an uncertain future. However, a determined movement is underway to preserve this iconic vessel, a ship that represents not only an engineering marvel but also a symbol of American ingenuity and artistry.
On Thursday, March 20, THS held a conference highlighting the urgent need to preserve the SS United States, often referred to as “America’s Flagship.” Speakers emphasized the vessel’s historical significance and the importance of ensuring that its legacy endures.
The SS United States stands as a pinnacle of mid-20th-century engineering. It served as a premier ocean liner for 17 years, from 1952 to 1969. Stretching 990 feet in length—measuring 100 feet longer than the Titanic—it remains the largest passenger ship ever constructed in the United States. To this day, it holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing in both directions, earning the esteemed Blue Riband, among one of the ship’s notable achievements, an informal honor awarded to the passenger liner that achieved the highest average speed while crossing the Atlantic. One of its many innovative features was its specially designed propellers, crafted by Elaine Kaplan, a trailblazing figure in naval engineering, which enabled the vessel to slice through the waves with remarkable speed and efficiency.
The vessel completed numerous safe voyages, carrying important passengers and cargo, including da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and four U.S. presidents. Following its retirement, the ship spent decades docked at various East Coast ports, residing in Philadelphia on the Delaware River from 1996 to 2025.
Beyond its technological innovations, the SS United States also carries artistic significance. “I believe, in addition to being an engineering marvel, the SS United States is a work of art,” Mr. DiGregorio, THS librarian and Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction, said. “It makes a beautiful one of power and speed, with grace and delicacy.” The ship’s striking balance of strength and elegance is what makes it so remarkable. “I think that this is why I was so taken when I first laid eyes on this ship—it was beautiful! In this sense, seen as a work of art, it can represent our country at its best.”
However, a district court ruling last year forced the SS United States to leave Philadelphia, putting its future in jeopardy. The ship was subsequently purchased by Okaloosa County, Florida, for one million dollars, with plans to transform it into an artificial reef. Despite this, preservation efforts continue, with one recent petition to keep the ship afloat gathering over 7,000 signatures. Leading the charge is the SS United States Conservancy, an organization dedicated to protecting and commemorating this national treasure.
Many at last week’s conference expressed frustration that such an extraordinary vessel could be discarded so easily. “It would be a shame if that were lost by sinking the ship as an artificial reef. Any other more ordinary ship could do the same,” DiGregorio added. Fred Rodriquez, a former crew member who attended the conference, also opposes the idea. “I am glad to have known the ship, and I do not want her to go underwater. She was built to serve America,” he said.
Supporters at the event hosted by THS believe the SS United States has alternative potential beyond being sunk. “It [the SS United States] should be the key to reviving the Brooklyn waterfront, which was once one of the great waterfront, and this ship can help do it,” James Kaplan, director of the New York Coalition to save the SS United States.
Others envision the ship being repurposed as a hotel, museum, or maritime concert venue. Some attendees argue that restoration is feasible. “The wallboards [of the ship] can easily be replaced; that’s all it’s missing, just the wallboards. The outer frames, they all fit on, they’re still there,” said Peter Mitchell, who traveled from England to attend last week’s event. However, Okaloosa County estimates that a full restoration would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, making preservation challenging. “The cost burden and challenge of finding a suitable location for her to dock for public access created a situation where she could only be scrapped or saved as an artificial reef,” Okaloosa County stated on its website.
Despite a vigorous campaign to save the SS United States, there has been no clear indication that the ship won’t be sunk. It remains to be seen whether preservationists’ efforts will succeed or if the vessel will ultimately be consigned to the ocean as an artificial reef.
