After months of delays, the historic SS United States ocean liner finally moved out of Philadelphia today on a new voyage as it prepares to become the world's largest artificial reef off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

After months of multiple delays, the SS United States finally left its longtime home of Philadelphia just before 1 p.m. ET Wednesday. The storied ocean liner’s next stop is Mobile, Alabama, where it will be prepared for its final mission – to become an artificial reef off the coast of the Florida Panhandle.

A storied ocean liner that offered passengers regal elegance while setting trans-Atlantic speed records for decades began its final journey this week at a much more measured pace.