Ocean Liner or Secret Weapon?

You may think of the Big U as one of the last of the great classic liners. Her fine lines, that razor sharp bow, those giant funnels - all perfect signatures of a time gone by in maritime history. But would you consider the SS UNITED STATES one of the last remnants of the Cold War?

Indeed, in the early stages of construction plans were considered to fully change her from liner to war ship. That's because of the developing situation in Korea. If you're suddenly confused about whether this Korea reference is from the late 40s or last week - welcome to the real world and deja vu. But, let's go back to the yards in Newport News in the spring of 1948...

That's when the US Navy dropped plans for an aircraft carrier that is said to have been pre-named UNITED STATES. A year later the name was selected behind the scenes to be that of a new ocean liner designed by Mr. Gibbs. The UNITED STATES. Add one more year and the dream is now steel - as the keel to hull #488 is laid in dry dock at Newport News Ship Building & Dry Dock Company on February 8, 1950.

Getting this far took incredible persistence and determination by all involved. Many in Washington questioned the projected costs and the need for this liner.

But ship construction finally began in Newport News.

Then the world changed. Just five months later in July 1950 the situation in Korea prompted rumors that the SS UNITED STATES might emerge from the yards as war ship not passenger liner. 60 days later in September of 1950 the government issues just such an order with the U now at one-third completion. What happened behind closed doors could no doubt fill volumes of books - but on November 1, 1950 the Defense Department rescinded their order to take the Big U as a war ship.

At 4:14 PM on June 22, 1951 water first touched her keel. And exactly 12 hours and 47 minutes later the hull transformed into a ship at the moment when the SS UNITED STATES first floated: 5:01 a.m. June 23, 1951. The rest is history.

But what was inside that for 30 years the Navy didn't want you to know about?

Think you know. Tell us below. It's likely that the US Navy isn't going to reactivate the SS UNITED STATES for the situation in Korea today. (Wow - this is deja vu isn't it) So, fess up.

And since we're sharing secrets here are some other questions that surround the SS UNITED STATES - from spy games to maritime myth - think you know the answers to the following questions?

• 1) Biggest Secret about the Big U. Top Speed? 47 knots? Fact or Fiction? 50+ knots?
  
• 2) Regarding speed - it's said the U never really was called on to use her full speed. Some say restricter plates were installed to limit full flank speed. Fact or fiction?
  
• 3) Fact or fiction? The brand new and first nuclear sub USS Nautilus SSN571 surfaces alongside the U running at full speed and flashes a coded message to the Big U? What was the message?
  
• 4) Fact or fiction? There's a sonar recording of the SS UNITED STATES at speed - her four screws easily distinguished from any other vessel? If you wore ears in your boat - we want to hear from you. Note to DOD types: if you've got access to a recording and it's reclassified - help us get a wav file for the world to hear on-line.
  
• 5) Fact or fiction? A navy radar operator off the coast of England picks up a return on his screen and types it as a helicopter approaching. The radar op tells his CO it's a chopper. The CO walks out to make visual and the SS UNITED STATES goes "flying by" instead at full speed?
  
• 6) Fact or fiction? The SS UNITED STATES carried more silver and gold between continents than any other liner in history up until 1969?
  
• 7) Fact or fiction? Bob Hope upon arriving in Southampton aboard the SS UNITED STATES is filmed joking, "I understand Cunard issued a 21 torpedo salute." But in fact, did a Royal Navy sub on exercises inadvertently fire a torpedo near the Big U - when a crew member misunderstood the command to stand down during exercises? That torpedo ended up on a beach and was ever so quietly removed by the stealthy Royal Navy - and the maiden voyage of the Big U wasn't the least bit spoiled. Fact or fiction?

Think you have some truth to say about any of these mysteries? Let us know. Just type in a message below and click on the send button.

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