Fred Miller II’s journey with the SS United States began at the tender age of 9 when he purchased a model replica of the famed ship for $50. This childhood obsession blossomed into a lifelong passion, and that very model followed him through various stages of his life, from Port Huron, Michigan, to Daphne in South Alabama.
As time went by, Miller’s cherished model found a permanent home on a mantle above the fireplace in his home, a symbol of his enduring love for maritime history. The story took a surprising turn when the real SS United States, once heralded as ‘America’s flagship’ and an icon in the 1950s and ’60s, was towed into Mobile for remediation. The plan was for this storied vessel to ultimately find its resting place beneath the waves of the Florida Gulf Coast.
Now, the retired ship sits docked south of downtown Mobile while undergoing preparations for its final journey. Miller, now 64 years old, finds himself volunteering at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, an institution that is now quite literally within sight of the ship that was once merely a model in his childhood.
“That’s just it,” Miller remarked. “You can’t miss it now.”
The coincidence between Miller’s childhood model and the real ship is almost too perfect. The vessel he played with as a child now looms large just across the water.
Recently, moved by the serendipity of it all, Miller decided to donate his model to the museum. It will eventually be displayed prominently on the fifth floor as part of an exhibit dedicated to the SS United States and its unexpected chapter along the Gulf Coast. “We’re a part of its history now,” said John Sledge, a maritime historian at the museum.
Sledge leads boat tours that pass by the ship now anchored at the Modern American Recycling & Repair Service (MARRS) facility. He noted how the ship serves as a bridge to a bygone era of elegant travel. “It’s very touching to show that ship has a power to awaken people about this interest in ship design and Atlantic travel but also the glamor of what travel used to be compared to now,” Sledge said, reflecting on the ship’s impact on visitors.
Despite its decaying state, the SS United States continues to attract tourists from near and far, eager for a glimpse of its grandeur. Its presence in Mobile has boosted demand for various tours, including riverboat cruises aboard the Perdido Queen and Delta Explorer trips through Historic Blakeley State Park.
David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile, expressed gratitude for the unexpected boost to the local tourism sector. “We’re real fortunate and grateful. These types of opportunities don’t come around often, but we’ll take it.”
As for the ship’s future, the timeline for its relocation appears to be stretching into next year. Nick Tomecek, spokesperson for Okaloosa County, mentioned that while remediation work is proceeding ahead of schedule, the ship’s deployment to its undersea destination is forecasted for late 2025 or early 2026. Last year, Okaloosa County acquired the ship for $1 million and has since invested close to $10 million in its preparation and relocation.
Miller first caught sight of the ship during its time in Philadelphia back in 2003, and he has witnessed its decline since it was taken out of service in 1969. While the SS United States remains relatively unchanged in appearance since arriving in Mobile in March, some alterations are imminent. For instance, one of the ship’s iconic smokestacks will soon be removed, although plans are in place to preserve at least one stack for a proposed land-based museum in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, situated a three-and-a-half-hour drive east of Mobile.
Additionally, there are ongoing attempts to halt the sinking of the vessel, aimed at transforming it into the world’s largest artificial reef. The New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has initiated efforts to prevent the sinking, including urging government officials and filing a federal lawsuit in Pensacola. Tomecek clarified, however, that these legal actions are not affecting the timeline for the ship’s departure from Mobile.
Bay County is also hoping to tap into the tourist interest surrounding the legendary ship. The Bay County Tourist Development Council has proposed $3 million to bolster marketing efforts if the ship sinks closer to Panama City Beach.
“Okaloosa County has received multiple proposals and we are currently reviewing all of them. No final decisions have been made on the location,” Tomecek said, shedding light on the ongoing discussions.
Meanwhile, in Mobile, there’s optimism that some parts of the ship will be salvaged and displayed, possibly at the Maritime Museum. Although details remain uncertain, Sledge emphasized that whatever fragment is salvaged will play a role in educating visitors about the ship and its significance in maritime history.
As for Miller, his affection for the grand liner remains strong, both for his model and the ship itself. The model will be on long-term loan to the museum as long as there is continued interest in the SS United States and its connections to Mobile. Miller expressed conflicted emotions about the ship’s fate.
“I’d love to do anything I could to keep her afloat,” Miller confessed, acknowledging both the ship’s retirement and the dwindling number of individuals who remember sailing aboard it. He lamented that younger generations may not share the same reverence for the ship as those who experienced its heyday.
During its prime, the SS United States was a floating palace, frequented by countless celebrities and dignitaries, including Walt Disney, Marlon Brando, and Marilyn Monroe. “She’s been completely stripped out,” Miller observed, reflecting on the ship’s current state. “If this was 30 to 40 years ago, it would be a totally different story.”
As such, Miller recognizes that his beloved model may outlast the original vessel. “I don’t know if I will just donate it outright to them someday or not,” he mused. “My son has dibs on the collection of the stuff I have. It’s in his control. But for right now, I’m giving the public the opportunity to view this model. It’s quite unique.”
image source from：https://www.al.com/news/2025/05/were-part-of-its-history-now-mobile-embraces-final-chapter-of-the-ss-united-states.html
