Local artists are using the final days of the SS United States to paint and draw the ship as it sits docked at Pier 80 in South Philadelphia.
The historic SS United States was finally set to leave Philadelphia this weekend, but its departure has been delayed again.
The storied ocean liner was scheduled to leave the city months ago and embark on a two-week journey to undergo preparations for it to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
Officials shared that plans to move the ship have been delayed due to "follow-up details requested by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure a proper tow from Pier 82 to Pier 80."
Because of the pier transition delay, officials said the departure tow out of Philadelphia, initially planned for Saturday, Feb. 8, has been delayed. A new date has not been set.
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"We understand the frustration for those who made plans surrounding this momentous event and appreciate your patience," a spokesperson said. "We look forward to continuing our goals to deploy the SSUS as the World's Largest Artifical Reef in conjunction with the SSUS Conservancy for a land-based museum to preserve the unique history of America's Flagship."
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 in 1952, it shattered 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.
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On that voyage, 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.
It became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it but eventually found their plans to be too expensive or poorly timed.
It has loomed for years on South Philadelphia’s Delaware waterfront.
For more information about the history of the SS United States, visit www.ssusc.org.
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