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

The SS United States, a 1,000-foot vessel that shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, is being towed to Mobile, Alabama, for planned prep work before officials eventually sink it off Florida鈥檚 Gulf Coast.

The move comes about four months after the conservancy that oversees the ship and its landlord resolved a years-old rent dispute. Officials initially planned to move the vessel last November, but that was delayed due to concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard that the ship wasn’t stable enough to make the trip.

Officials in Okaloosa County on Florida鈥檚 coastal Panhandle hope it will become a barnacle-encrusted standout among the county鈥檚 more than and a signature diving attraction that could generate annually in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels.

Officials have said the deal to buy the ship could eventually cost more than $10 million. The lengthy process of cleaning, transporting and sinking the vessel is expected to take at least one-and-a-half years.

The SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. Its maiden voyage broke the transatlantic speed record in both directions when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph (66 kph), . The ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Mary鈥檚 time by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.

鈥淭he ship will forever symbolize our nation鈥檚 strength, innovation, and resilience,鈥� said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the naval architect who designed the vessel. “We wish her 鈥榝air winds and following seas鈥� on her historic journey to her new home.鈥�

The SS United States became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it. But they eventually found their plans too expensive or poorly timed, leaving the vessel looming for years on south Philadelphia鈥檚 Delaware River waterfront.