The SS United States, an iconic American ocean liner known for its illustrious history and remarkable speed, embarked on a new voyage this Tuesday. The decommissioned passenger ship, which holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger liner, is currently being towed from Philadelphia to a shipyard on the Gulf Coast. Despite its former glory, the SS United States has spent over two decades docked along the Delaware River, functioning as a stationary relic after it was withdrawn from service in 1969. Susan Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s designer and the executive director of the SS United States Conservancy, expressed both sadness and hope regarding the move. ‘While it’s a bittersweet moment for all who hold the Big U close to their hearts,’ Gibbs said, ‘it also marks a pivotal step forward in ongoing conservation efforts to secure the vessel’s future.’ This relocation to a shipyard where it will undergo restoration underscores a continuous commitment to preserving and repurposing the historic liner, with hopes to one day rejuvenate the vessel to its former glory or reimagine it for new uses in a manner that honors its legacy.