SS United States Conservancy

Preserving History and Propelling Ingenuity

The SS United States Conservancy preserves and interprets the legacy of America’s greatest ocean liner, the SS United States — honoring the ingenuity of her designers and builders, the stories of her crew and passengers, and the promise she holds for future generations.

Since 2009, we have maintained a world-class curatorial collection of SS United States archival materials and artifacts, presented engaging in-person and digital exhibitions, and captured and shared oral histories of those with first-hand connections to the ship.

We’re developing the SS United States Museum & Visitor Experience, based in Okaloosa County, Florida, to celebrate the ship’s innovative design, place in American maritime and post-war history, and benefit to the marine ecosystem of the Gulf Coast as the World’s Largest Artificial Reef.

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America's Flagship
America's Flagship

The SS United States, the world's fastest ocean liner, isn't just a marvel of technology: she's a living icon of the American dream. She represents the power of freedom, hard work, common purpose, and innovation.

Learn more here!

NEW! "Food Tastes Better at Sea: Food and Dining Aboard the SS United States"
NEW! "Food Tastes Better at Sea: Food and Dining Aboard the SS United States"

Sharing never-before-seen artifacts and objects from the Conservancy's collections, this exhibit explores all aspects of the dining experience on the SS United States. From the grand dining rooms down to the toothpicks and napkins, you'll learn how passengers feasted on the seas.

Oral History Projects
Oral History Projects

We have connected with hundreds of former officers and crew members, builders, designers, passengers, maritime historians, and ship enthusiasts to help preserve the legacy of the Big U. These moving stories collected over the last decade preserve the first- hand accounts of the thrill of serving and sailing on board America’s Flagship.

Bon Voyage, Big U
Bon Voyage, Big U

Every time the SS United States prepared to sail, thousands of people gathered to wish their friends, family, and neighbors "bon voyage." As we prepare for the Big U’s forthcoming transformation, we invite you to share your message to the SS United States.

Welcome Aboard!
Welcome Aboard!

As the Conservancy preserves and celebrates the legacy of America’s greatest ocean liner through our curatorial collection, digital exhibitions, and forthcoming SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, we invite you to aboard!

Learn more about how you can help commemorate America’s Flagship here.

LATEST NEWS

Featured News
Times-Picayune Coverage of the Conservancy's Future Museum
Times-Picayune Coverage of the Conservancy's Future Museum

The Times-Picayune reported on the enormous public interest in the SS United States and the Conservancy's exciting plans for a future museum and visitor experience. Our museum in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area will celebrate the extraordinary story of the SS United States and will showcase our extensive collection of original mid-century modern shipboard art, artifacts from the vessel, archival documentation, oral histories, film footage, and more.

Read more here.

Photo of the SS United States from 2025 courtesy of Nathanael Miller.

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Southern Living: America's fastest ship ever is about to make waves again.
Southern Living: America's fastest ship ever is about to make waves again.

Southern Living’s recent article celebrated the SS United States and shared about the Conservancy's plans for our future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience,

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Design Begins for New SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience
Design Begins for New SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience

The towering funnels of the legendary SS United States will soon be removed from the historic ocean liner in Mobile, Alabama. Soaring six stories high and sloping backward to convey the record-breaking speed of the ship, the iconic structures will form a dramatic centerpiece of the future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience. The aft funnel is expected to be removed soon after the forward funnel. The ship is now being prepared for deployment as the “world’s largest artificial reef” off the coast of Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

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See The SS United States Up Close in Mobile, Alabama
See The SS United States Up Close in Mobile, Alabama

The SS United States Conservancy is glad to be able to share a wonderful opportunity to see the SS United States at her current pier in Mobile, Alabama, while also supporting the Conservancy's efforts to build a state-of-the-art museum that will celebrate her indomitable spirit. The Perdido Queen, a charming riverboat, offers cruises that will take you close to the ship as part of a guided tour of the Mobile River and the active port. You will be able to see the SS United States from the water for a truly unforgettable experience before she is deployed as the world's largest artificial reef through the summer of 2025. Go to www.perdidoqueen.com to book your tour today!

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America's Flagship, the SS United States, Completes Voyage to Mobile, Alabama Well Ahead of Schedule
America's Flagship, the SS United States, Completes Voyage to Mobile, Alabama Well Ahead of Schedule

The SS United States, America’s Flagship, arrived in Mobile, Alabama today after an approximately 1,800-mile tow from her berth in Philadelphia. The iconic national symbol and last surviving American ocean liner will now undergo preparations for her deployment as the “World’s Largest Artificial Reef” off Florida’s Gulf Coast near Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

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CBS 3: Local News SS United States marks end of 1st leg of journey to becoming world's largest artificial reef
CBS 3: Local News SS United States marks end of 1st leg of journey to becoming world's largest artificial reef

The SS United States began its final approach into Mobile, Alabama, Monday morning, marking the end of the first leg of its journey to becoming the world's largest artificial reef.

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WTKR Hampton Roads: SS United States passes by Hampton Roads on its way to be turned into a reef
WTKR Hampton Roads: SS United States passes by Hampton Roads on its way to be turned into a reef

The SS United States may have already passed by Hampton Roads on one of its final voyages as it heads to become the world's largest artificial reef.

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CBC As It Happens: A historic ocean liner that once regularly crossed the Atlantic, takes its final voyage.
CBC As It Happens: A historic ocean liner that once regularly crossed the Atlantic, takes its final voyage.

CBC Radio speaks with Conservancy Board member and former passenger Warren Jones about his experience traveling aboard the SS United States, as America’s Flagship makes her way to Mobile, Alabama, where she will be converted into an artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast.

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13 News Now: Newport News-built SS United States passes by birthplace on final voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef
13 News Now: Newport News-built SS United States passes by birthplace on final voyage to become the world's largest artificial reef

The historic, aging ocean liner that a Florida county plans to turn into the world's largest artificial reef departed from south Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront on Wednesday, marking the opening segment of its final voyage.

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Post & Courier: America's largest, fastest ocean liner to pass SC on way to its watery grave
Post & Courier: America's largest, fastest ocean liner to pass SC on way to its watery grave

The S.S. United States — still the world's fastest ocean liner — will cruise by the Palmetto State on its final voyage after seven decades above the waves.

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