A 17-year-old has reportedly surrendered to Philadelphia authorities in connection with a burglary aboard the historic SS United States, a once-proud ocean liner that now awaits transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef.
The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed that on October 2, 2024, several suspects were caught on surveillance footage boarding the SS United States at its berth on Pier 82. The footage shows the suspects entering the vessel without permission and three hours later leaving with several stolen items.
The break-in occurred just days before the formal transfer of ownership of the SS United States to Okaloosa County, Florida, marking a pivotal moment in the ship’s storied history. The new owners plan to scuttle the iconic liner off the coast of Florida, creating a massive artificial reef.
The SS United States Conservancy officially transferred the title of the vessel to Okaloosa County last Saturday, setting in motion a $10.1 million project to preserve the ship the legacy of the ship in a new form. The plan will see the vessel sunk off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, transforming it into an artificial reef accessible to divers.
The decision to repurpose the ship as a reef followed years of uncertainty and a legal dispute with the pier operator, which was resolved through a court-ordered mediation.
The transformation offers what the Conservancy described as a “more dignified option” compared to scrapping, especially after numerous attempts to find a buyer or development partner for the vessel fell through.
Launched in 1951, the SS United States still holds the transatlantic speed record and once transported presidents, celebrities, and immigrants across the Atlantic. Designed during the Cold War to double as a troop carrier, the vessel was capable of transporting 14,000 troops across 10,000 miles without refueling.
Now, as part of its next chapter, the ship will undergo extensive environmental remediation before it is scuttled. This process, expected to take over a year, will involve the removal of hazardous materials to ensure the reef is safe for marine life. In the coming weeks, the SS United States will be moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where it will be prepared for its final deployment.
While the break-in aboard the ship was an unfortunate incident, the future of the SS United States remains focused on creating a lasting legacy as an iconic artifact of American maritime history.
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