Long Forgotten Superliner SS United States operated until 1969
Artdaily.com – SS United States LOST GLORY
Most Americans are unaware of the historical significance the ship and her designer hold. In the early 1950’s the SS United States was considered one of the greatest technological achievements of the merchant marine and her designer, W.F. Gibbs, arguably one of the most influential naval architects of the 20th century.
The Big U unearths a forgotten slice of American history.
For Kindle and with free ePub version. Only $9.49 Great reading.
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39°55’6.71″N 75° 8’12.83″W if anyone wants to look at her on Google Earth.
She’s moored in Philadelphia at the moment….rusting away.
I have vivid memories of her – she transported by Grandparents to the US for their first ever visit.
A damned shame that the greatest ship of US manufacture rusts! I can see a great business opportunity between California and Hawaii. But the rehab and retrofit will be costly. Note that back in the day, the United States was the fastest, but not considered the most luxurious. She was made so that she could be easily converted to a troop ship and without wood decks, etc. to reduce the chance of fire. But sleek as any ocean liner could ever be!
Dave
She’s a beautiful ship, a technical marvel with a proud past. But remember, she was built for transport and not pleasure cruising. She really can’t compete with the luxury mega-liners on the seas today.
Had the privilege of seeing her ‘in person’ during training, when she was moored in VA. She was quite a sight. Even with peeling paint and rusting hull, and with me knowing next-to-nothing about her at the time, the ship impressed me. Maybe it was just her lines, and the fact that I hadn’t seen a civilian ship quite that big before … but for whatever reason I just knew I was looking at something special.
Here’s hoping she finally gets the honorable retirement – or hell … even a return to service – that she always deserved.
I pass the ship, rusting away, as it has been for years, in Philadelphia, almost every day. Its almost a joke. There is a little plaque in front of it, wiht a small description of what it is. Sad. Very very sad.
Check out http://www.ssunitedstates-film.com/trailers.html for a trailer from the movie referenced in the Artdaily.com piece.
This ship was featured in the 1965 World Book encyclopedia article on “Ships”. Reading about it brings back memories of my childhood.