United States Reef Preperation To Begin In Mobile

The SS United States ocean liner was scheduled to begin its journey to Mobile this week before heading to Florida to become the world’s largest artificial reef, AL.com reported. Though weather delayed the first leg, after its two-week journey south from Philadelphia, the ship will dock in Mobile for a year to undergo preparations for its final move to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. Some of the vessel’s transformations in Mobile will include removing materials that are dangerous to sea life and poking holes in its hull to ensure it will land upright at the bottom of the gulf. Originally designed as a top-secret, convertible troop carrier during the Cold War in 1951, the 100-ft-long ship has been called “America’s greatest ocean liner.” In its two decades of service, it transported presidents, famous actors, heads of state, tourists, members of the armed forces and immigrants before it was retired in 1969. Notable passengers included Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne.