The SS United States, the former luxury ocean liner that was parked in South Philadelphia for almost 30 years, has reached Mobile, Ala., faster than expected and in one piece, proving skeptics wrong.

Photos of the SS United States being pulled by a 140-foot tugboat prompted many to ask how the move was even possible.

A chilly morning wind greeted the photographers and residents who gathered at the East End to catch a glimpse of history as the SS United States, following its journey from Philadelphia, was towed into Mobile. It is expected to arrive this afternoon to the Modern American Recycling & Repair Services facility at 601 S. Royal St., south of downtown.

The luxury liner SS United States completed its journey Monday from South Philadelphia to Alabama, where it will undergo preparations before it is sunk in the waters off Florida's Gulf Coast to become an artificial reef.

Once-fastest transatlantic ship arrives for six-month preparation before final destination as artificial reef in Florida.

The SS United States, once America's crowning jewel of maritime engineering, has begun its last voyage from Philadelphia to become the world's largest artificial reef off the Florida coast. This marks the end of an era for the iconic vessel that has been a fixture on the Delaware River for nearly three decades.

Okaloosa County commissioners voted in October to buy the SS United States for $10 million and use it as an artificial reef. It’s estimated that the economic benefit will be $3 million a

The SS United States is towed to Alabama and draws onlookers to the East End of Dauphin Island on Monday, March 3, 2025. The historic ocean-liner is being towed to Mobile where it will be prepared for submersion as the world's largest artificial reef off the Florida Gulf Coast near Destin-Fort Walton. John Sharp

The historic SS United States is seen off the coast of Palm Beach on Feb. 26, 2025 on its way to Mobile, Alabama to be cleaned before being sunk to create an artificial reef.

The SS United States is marking the end of the first leg of its journey to becoming the world's largest artificial reef.

After being docked in Philadelphia for nearly three decades, the SS United States -- once the world's fastest ocean liner -- has arrived in Mobile, Al., ahead of schedule to be prepared to be turned into an artificial reef.

After nearly 30 years, the historic SS United States departed Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, to begin a 1,800-mile journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared to become an ...