Just days after a judge temporarily halted a court-imposed deadline for the SS United States to vacate its dock in South Philadelphia, the once famed cruise liner has found its new home.
But this time it will be underwater, writes Joe Holden for CBS News Philadelphia.
At a meeting in Okaloosa County in Florida in late September, the Tourist Development Council voted to appropriate $10.1 million to acquire the ship and move it to a location in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Florida coast.
The ship will be sunk at the new location creating the largest artificial reef in the world. The ship’s smokestacks will most likely be removed to reduce its height and allow it to be “deployed” in 180 feet of water.
The ship’s future owners estimate that it could bring in $3 million each year from divers visiting the underwater cruiseliner.
SS United States Conservancy, the ship’s current owner, has been involved in a public dispute with the operator of Pier 82 for months. A federal trial earlier this year resulted in a judge ordering the SS United States to leave after she prevented the pier from doubling the rent.
A vote to finalize the deal is expected this week before the county’s board of commissioners.
Read more about the SS United States at CBS News Philadelphia.
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