Newport News continues to celebrate its storied shipbuilding past even as the iconic SS United States meets its final voyage. The former ship’s bell, a tangible piece of the 1952 ocean liner, now hangs in the bell tower of Christopher Newport University (CNU), where it rings for new students and graduates, linking the campus community to the city’s maritime heritage.
Bell tower tradition at CNU
Dr. Sean Heuvel, CNU’s director of institutional history, explained that the bell was donated by Dr. Sarah Forbes and installed in the university’s bell tower in 2014. “Students ring it when they begin their time at CNU and again when they graduate,” Heuvel said. “It’s become a cherished part of our campus community and life for many ceremonial occasions, for graduations and other events.” He and a student rang the bell on Wednesday afternoon, coinciding with the SS United States being deliberately sunk off the coast of Florida.
Ship’s legacy in Newport News
The SS United States was built at Newport News Shipbuilding, a testament to American engineering and speed. Its construction marked a high point for the region’s industrial might, and the vessel remains a source of local pride. The Mariners Museum and Park also safeguards several artifacts, including a massive propeller, decorative pieces, and a period jukebox that evokes the ship’s mid‑century glamour. Lyles Forbes, vice president of collections and chief curator at the museum, noted, “A lot of the material we have really evokes the era of the ship. It’s a really iconic ship that came out of Newport News.”
Artificial reef project
After decades of uncertainty about the liner’s fate, the decision was made to sink the SS United States off Florida, where it is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef. Museum officials view the reef as a continuation of the ship’s legacy. “I think it’s a really good resolution to the end of the ship and kind of preserves it into the future,” Forbes said.
Local pride and future remembrance
Back in Newport News, the bell’s presence on campus ensures that the connection to the great ship endures. Heuvel expressed pride in the university’s role: “We’re just really proud to have this bell on campus and continue this connection to this great city.” The story underscores how a community can honor its industrial heritage while embracing new chapters, even as the physical vessel transitions to a marine habitat.
What’s next for the reef?
The artificial reef is slated to attract marine life and divers, providing ecological benefits and a new recreational draw for Florida’s coast. While the ship’s hull will rest beneath the waves, its story lives on in Newport News through the bell, museum artifacts, and the memories of those who built and sailed on her.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
