From day one she has turned heads. The sea has known few ladies like her. Mammoth in size, yet sleek and very fast! And best of all, the SS United States was an all American beauty.
Imagine this floating city steaming into the ports of New York, Southampton, Bremerhaven or Le Havre. Her signature red, white and blue funnels - the largest in the world- could be seen for miles. In port the SS United States towered above all else.
On board a transatlantic sailing up to 1,972 passengers could enjoy the many exceptional features of her design while a crew of 1,066 ensured comfort and safety for all.
When built in 1952 she represented the best of American workers and presented the leading edge of modern technology. Ship architect Gibbs and his dedicated team at Gibbs & Cox designed a ship of innovation. Just look at the sharpness of a bow that cut through countless barriers to ride strong and proud. Inside her, the source of unsurpassed power was a redundant system of boilers and steam driven turbines. Engineers will marvel at the 240,000 shaft horse power she delivered on command. But her real power came from those who knew her.
From the hands of her thousands of builders to the souls of those who traveled on board, her magic is that she was, is, and always will be a ship of dreams. You see, the SS United States was much more than a luxury liner. In service she was a symbol of American pride and ambition that extended beyond all boundaries of nations and people. The truth is she crossed oceans, even for those who never sailed on board her.
Continue on to discover the stories of those who experienced the SS United States.
Crew.................Passengers..............News Maker Headlines & News Articles ........Main Index
Pictured Above: A recent afternoon with the SS United States
at pier 82 in Philadelphia, PA USA. -MJ70112
Knowledge Builder: When completed, the total worker hours required to build the SS United States were said to be an equivalent of constructing 6,000 average sized homes.