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A HISTORIC cruise ship bigger than the Titanic will be sunk on purpose to create the world’s largest artificial reef – if it can complete its final journey.

Officials reportedly fear that the ocean liner – left to rot in Philadelphia for decades – could crash into a landmark bridge during its last voyage.

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The abandoned SS United States cruise ship will be sunk on purpose[/caption]

Once considered the fastest cruise liner in the world, the 900-ft long SS United States was originally constructed in the 1950s to move troops during wartime.

It later carried dignitaries and celebrities, including John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney, across the Atlantic.

But it changed hands many times before the ship was eventually left to sit dormant in Philadelphia – where it has been since 1996.

It was supposed to leave its home in Philadelphia’s Pier 82 some weeks ago, for a long journey to Alabama and eventually Destin, Florida.

Its journey was postponed because of heavy storms in the Gulf of Mexico – and has now been halted because of a fresh major concern.

Sources told CBS that there are fears it could smash into the huge Walt Whitman Bridge over the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

They revealed how the height of the ship’s features come within mere feet of the vast bridge.

And the Coast Guard is reportedly worried about whether the mammoth vessel can make it to Alabama in one piece.

However the Guard has said they are only waiting on more documents from Okaloosa County – who bought the ship for over $10million in October – before moving it.

And The Delaware River Port Authority, which operates and maintains local bridges, said in a statement: “At this time, we have not been informed of any changes to the previously established clearances or received notice of differences that could affect our bridges.”

The owners of the derelict 1,000-foot ship were previously ordered to find the historic vessel a new home after they stopped paying rent in 2021.

Officials revealed ambitious plans to tow the ship from Philadelphia to Destin’s Fort Walton Beach.

There, it is set to be sunk to provide a new habitat for marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the globe.

The ambitious plans were drawn up by officials in Okaloosa County, Florida and the SS United States Conservancy, the organization dedicated to preserving the vessel.

In a statement, Okaloosa County emphasised the environmental and economic potential of the project, saying: “The sunken ship will be a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world.”

But before the SS United States can be submerged, a lengthy cleanup process is required.

The county estimates that it will take over a year to complete environmental remediation on the ship, with an additional six months to a year needed to arrange for its transportation and final deployment.

But now, if the current plan succeeds, the ship will offer a new life as a habitat for marine species.

It could also generate millions in tourism revenue, benefiting local businesses like scuba shops, fishing charters, and hotels.

“This will be an exciting addition to our artificial reefs and wrecks, and will provide essential habitat for fish,” said Jennifer Adams, Okaloosa County’s tourism director.

The project also includes plans to open a land-based museum honouring the ship’s history, funded by Okaloosa County and operated by the SS United States Conservancy.

If all goes to plan, the SS United States will soon embark on its final voyage – this time, to become a unique underwater landmark and a beacon for marine conservation.

Once considered a beacon of American engineering, which once doubled as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops, the USS United States now sits as a reminder of a bygone era.

In it’s heyday, the ship boasted four separate classes of ticket, including first class, cabin class, tourist class and the most prestigious of all, suites, which included four beds, three bathrooms and a living room.

Christened in 1951, the once luxurious cruise ship still holds the transatlantic speed record after it reached 36 knots (41mph)

On its maiden voyage in 1952, the cruise ship crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, beating the previous record by the RMS Queen Mary by 10 hours.

AFP

The rusting bow of the historic ship[/caption]

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The covered First Class Promenade Deck of the SS United States is rusting away in Philadelphia[/caption]

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The ship has bounced from owner to owner while it sits in a derelict state[/caption]

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An empty pool remains inside the retired SS United States ocean liner ship as a reminder of a bygone era[/caption]

THE giant cliffs overlooking Turkey’s turquoise coast hold secrets older than time and a bizarre link to Santa Claus.

Located near Fethiye, these aren’t ordinary burial places, but the elaborate tombs of an ancient civilisation that thrived in this region over 2,000 years ago. 

Alamy

Lycian rock tombs are located near Fethiye in Turkey[/caption]

Getty - Contributor

The tombs hold the history of the Lycian civilisation that thrived in the region over 2,000 years ago[/caption]

Moment Open - Getty

It is speculated that the Lycians carved the tombs into cliff faces so ‘angels’ could easily transport the dead to the afterlife[/caption]

Their unique location, carved into cliff faces, is central to a fascinating, and somewhat mysterious, belief system.

The Lycians, known for their early form of democracy, left behind more than just political structures. 

They were an ancient people who inhabited the Lycia region of southwestern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from at least the 2nd millennium BCE until their assimilation into the Roman Empire.

Their legacy now lives on in these spectacular “cities of the dead,” scattered along the coast and even integrated into modern towns. 

Some are grand, easily accessible sites like the Amyntas Rock Tombs near Fethiye.

But others can be hidden gems, and need the best explorers to uncover them.

Many of these tombs, dating back to the 4th century BC, boast impressive facades. 

From simple, rectangular structures to elaborate, temple-like facades, each tomb was said to reflect the status and wealth of its deceased occupant.

Some have tall classical columns and intricate details, that although weathered by time, still give a glimpse of their golden era.

Simpler, older tombs are also present as humble holes carved directly into the rock. 

However, the interior of all these tombs is surprisingly simple. 

Despite the ornate entrances, the inner chambers are often bare, stripped clean by centuries of looting.

Only a simple stone platform remains, where the dead once lay.

One tomb, in particular, formed a unique link between the Lycians and Santa Claus.

In 2017, a 2,400-year-old rock tomb from the Lycian era was discovered during excavations on a property in the Demre area of Antalya.

The region is known as the home of Santa Claus and receives thousands of tourists each year.

While operating a bulldozer, a 40-year-old local discovered a rock over four meters underneath the ground.

However, he stopped the work before alerting the Demre Gendarmerie Forces after realising it was a historical artefact.

CNN Travel

Today, the tombs attract loads of tourists every year[/caption]

Excavations were then carried out by three archaeologists and eight workers, who unearthed the Lycian rock tomb dating back to 4th century B.C.

The Lycians’ choice of location for their tombs – high on cliff faces – fuelled a local legend. 

It’s said that they believed winged creatures, perhaps angels, would carry the souls of the dead to the afterlife. 

Placing the tombs in elevated locations, overlooking the land and sea, may have been a way to facilitate this journey.

While there’s no concrete archaeological evidence to support this legend, the placement certainly adds to the mystique.

Experts like Dr. Catherine Draycott, an associate professor of archaeology at Durham University, offer alternative perspectives.

While acknowledging the prominence and visibility of the tombs, the reason behind their elevated placement remains a subject of speculation. 

She told CNN: “We can’t say whether there is a link between Lycian beliefs and sky gods.

“The tombs certainly imply that there is a desire not to be buried below ground and a desire to be high up.

“But it’s not clear whether the people buried higher up had an advantage over others, although you could say that the status, would’ve been greater in terms of tomb competition, because they would’ve somehow had to get their masons up there.”

Regardless of the precise reasons, the Lycian rock tombs near Fethiye, and countless others along the coast, are a testament to this unique civilisation.

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