SS United States leaves Delaware River en route to Florida after several delays

PHILADELPHIA - The SS United States embarked on its final voyage on Wednesday morning, setting sail on the Delaware River to travel to Alabama to eventually become part of a massive artificial reef off the coast of Florida.

What we know:

The SS United States left a South Philadelphia dock on Wednesday after several setbacks and weather delays.

Tug boats moved America's flagship from its pier into the river, where it waited for the changing tides to carry it further during the afternoon.

Its final journey begins as it travels down the Delaware River and onto the Atlantic Ocean.

After making a stop in Mobile, Alabama, for repairs, the historic ship will reach its final destination in Destin, Florida, where it will be sunk to become part of the world's largest artificial reef. Some estimate repairs could take up to six months.

The backstory:

Christened in 1952, the SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. 

On its maiden voyage, it shattered the transatlantic speed record in both directions, when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph.

The ship crossed the Atlantic 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.

She became a reserve ship in 1969, spending her retirement years on Philadelphia's Delaware waterfront.

What they're saying:

Paul DeSilva, of Toms River, drove down to witness the historic departure, the very ship his father was proud to work on more than 70 years ago.

"It’s just a thing of beauty. It really is. It’s a beautiful ship and I hate to see it go. My father was a crewman on that ship when it was active. He did a couple of trips on that when I was just a little kid. So, I’ve got a bit of an attachment to it."

Warren Jones, of the SS United States Conservancy, says over a million passengers rode the ship during its 17-year tenure, until it was taken out of service in 1969.

"It’s the largest ocean liner ever built entirely in the United States. There were 3,100 American workers that put this ship together and they used products and components and raw materials from every state in the country. There were 48 states at the time and everybody contributed. So, she’s the ultimate American product," he explained.

Tourism Director of Okaloosa County, Florida, Jennifer Adams, stated, "So many people are passionate about her and we are too. We just want to get her to Destin Fort Walton Beach, deploy her and relish her just in her new life now. She’ll be part of a great network of reefs."

What you can do:

You can track the ship’s travel progress with GPS by visiting Okaloosa County’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism page, here.

Find more information about the reef program at Okaloosa County’s website, here.

Information about the history of the SS United States can be found on the Conservancy’s website, here.