It’s official, Philadelphia. After years of detailed plans and delays, the long-decaying ship, SS United States, has finally left Pier 82 on the Delaware River. Now, after three decades, it’s on its way to becoming an artificial reef off the coast of Florida.
In 2024 — the SS United States which is docked on the Delaware River — was vandalized. The suspects have been identified on camera breaking into the old ship, but have not been apprehended. The retired ocean liner — docked at Pier 82 in Philadelphia since 1996 — was the only one of its kind to be completely manufactured in the United States with the potential to carry troops in wartime. Since her maiden voyage in 1952 — it still holds the record for the fastest liner to make the trip across the Atlantic in either direction.
Last month — also on the Delaware River — we saw those images of the USS John F. Kennedy being towed down the Delaware River. For those of us who are old enough to remember when the USS John F. Kennedy was christened by Jackie Kennedy and a then 9-year old Caroline in 1967 — only days away from what would have been JFK’s 50th birthday.
Originally supposed to be classed in the Kitty-Hawk of Aircraft Carriers — the USS John F. Kennedy actually was modified to such an extent during construction — that the ship formed its own class. After 40 years of service including in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991 — she would arrive at Pier 4 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in March 2008 — where it had been docked for upgrades some 20 years before.
Philadelphia’s Maritime history harkens back to the very inception of our European settlements. The Port of Philadelphia came to life as part of William Penn’s famous Charter of 1701 — and prior to being surpassed by the Port of New York — was our busiest during the formative years of our nation.
Our city’s nautical history originates nearly from the moment that William Penn decided on a site for Philadelphia — the perfect place for a metropolis at the conjoining of two rivers. It’s been a rich history for nearly 343 years.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
