SS United States is a luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for United States Lines. She was designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs to capture the trans-atlantic speed record. “The Big U” as she was nicknamed, was a joint venture between United States Lines and the U.S. Navy She is the largest ocean liner constructed in the US and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic for which she still holds the Blue Riband. Her speed was also needed for her planned role as troop transport in case of war.
Gibbs was obsessed by fire at sea. He dictated that no wood be used in the ship’s construction or decor and so the only wooden items on board were the grand pianos (made of a rare fire-resistant mahogany) and the butcher blocks in the kitchens. She was withdrawn from service in 1969. In the 1980’s and 90’s her interiors were auctioned off and she was completely stripped bare in Turkey where asbestos was removed. For almost 30 years she has been docked at Pier 82 on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. After years of legal battles over pier fees and various failed redevelopment schemes, the ss United States was recently ordered to vacate its Philadelphia berth. In late 2024, she was sold to Okaloosa County and plans were made to sink the ship off the coast of Florida to become the world’s largest artificial reef. Her signal mast, funnels, one of her propellors and engine room control panels will be saved and will be on display at the new ss United States museum at Destin-Fort Walton Beach, located in Okaloosa County, Florida.
In June 2014, I was part of a small group allowed to explore the upper decks of the ss United States at her berth at Pier 82 in Philadelphia and even reduced to an empty shell, she remained the impressive and proud ocean liner she had been in active service between 1952 and 1969!
