SS United States arrives in Alabama, the last stop before its final destination
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The SS United States has made it through the first leg of its final journey on Monday.
The ship made it to Mobile, Alabama, Monday, where it will undergo preparations to become the world's largest artificial reef.
Crews will spend about six months cleaning and preparing the ship before it is eventually sunk off Florida's Gulf coast.
"There will be teams of upwards of 30 people on board pulling out all of those hazardous materials, the leftover fuel oil that's still on board, wiring plastics, glass - all of those things that we can't deploy will be removed," said Alex Fogg, the natural resources chief for Destin Beach, Florida.
"The last thing we want to do is harm the environment we're trying to help," Fogg continued.
The 1,800-mile journey from Philadelphia to Alabama is the ship's 401st voyage.
The voyage started February 19, when the ocean liner departed South Philadelphia.
It left about four months after a years-old rent dispute was resolved between the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord. Plans to move the vessel last November were delayed over U.S. Coast Guard concerns about whether the ship was stable enough to make the trip.
Large crowds gathered to say goodbye to the iconic ship after being docked along the Delaware River for nearly 30 years.
SS United States enthusiasts were able to track the ship's journey on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach website.
Monday's arrival is two days ahead of schedule.
"In the spirit of her record-breaking history, America's Flagship concluded her journey from Philadelphia to Mobile faster than anticipated. As she moved through the waves for the first time in 28 years, countless onlookers and admirers along the country's eastern seaboard were inspired by her majesty and beauty," said SS United States Conservancy President Susan Gibbs.
The tugboat crew sped up that process as severe storms are expected in the Mobile area Monday night.
RELATED: SS United States met with rough seas, high winds as it voyages to its new home
The 1,000-foot (305-meter) vessel will next be towed into the port of Mobile Ship Yards, which is an all-day process.
In fall 2024, Florida's Okaloosa County bought the ship after approving a $10.1 million plan to relocate the ocean liner, sink it and build a $1 million seaside museum chronicling its history.
The ship will be the first artificial reef to be paired with a unique shoreside museum and visitor's center.
RELATED: Ship sinking expert explains how the SS United States will be prepped for its underwater grave
The ship's final home will be under about 180 feet (55 meters) of water 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast of Destin, Florida.
Okaloosa County hopes the ship will become a destination for scuba divers and attract fish and other wildlife as a reef. It won't be the only shipwreck habitat they have.
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 from New York to France 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).
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 -- which is nearly as large as the Chrysler Building -- holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.
It was originally designed to transport troops and was then reimagined into an ocean liner with passengers who included four U.S. presidents and celebrities.
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.
