SS United States

For other uses, see SS United States (disambiguation).

SS United States at sea in the 1950s
History
United States
NameUnited States
OwnerUnited States Lines
OperatorUnited States Lines
Port of registryNew York City
Route
Ordered1949[3]
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company[3]
Cost$79.4 million ($748 million in 2023[5])
Yard numberHull 488[2]
Laid downFebruary 8, 1950
LaunchedJune 23, 1951[1]
ChristenedJune 23, 1951[1]
Maiden voyageJuly 3, 1952
In service1952
Out of serviceNovember 14, 1969[4]
Identification
Nickname(s)Big U
OwnerVarious
Acquired1978
NotesMultiple owners since 1978[6]
OwnerSS United States Conservancy
AcquiredFebruary 1, 2011
StatusLaid up in Philadelphia awaiting possible sinking as artificial reef[7]
NotesContinual fundraising since 2011 for conservation[7]
General characteristics
TypeOcean liner
Tonnage53,329 GRT, 29,475 NRT
Displacement
  • 45,400 tons (designed)
  • 47,264 tons (maximum)
Length
  • 990 ft (302 m) (overall)
  • 940 ft (287 m) (waterline)
Beam101.5 ft (30.9 m) maximum
Height175 ft (53 m) (keel to funnel)[8]
Draft
  • 31 ft 3 in (9.53 m) (design)
  • 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) (maximum)
Decks12[9]: 16 
Installed power
  • 240,000 shp (180,000 kW) (rated)
  • 247,785 shp (184,773 kW) (trials)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) (service)
  • 38.32 kn (70.97 km/h; 44.10 mph) (trials)
  • 43 kn (80 km/h; 49 mph) (claimed)
Capacity1,928 passengers
Crew1,044 [9]: 16 
SS United States (Steamship)
SS United States is located in Philadelphia
SS United States
SS United States is located in Pennsylvania
SS United States
SS United States is located in the United States
SS United States
LocationPier 82, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates39°55′06″N 75°08′11″W / 39.91833°N 75.13639°W / 39.91833; -75.13639
ArchitectWilliam Francis Gibbs
NRHP reference No.99000609[10]
Added to NRHPJune 3, 1999

SS United States is a retired ocean liner built during 1950 and 1951 for United States Lines. She is the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the United States and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic in either direction, retaining the Blue Riband for the highest average speed since her maiden voyage in 1952, a title she still holds.

The ship was designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs and could have been converted into a troopship if required by the Navy in time of war. The ship served as an icon for the nation, transporting numerous celebrities throughout her career between 1952 and 1969. Her design included innovations in steam propulsion, hull form, fire safety, and damage control.

Following a financial collapse of United States Lines, she was withdrawn from service in a surprise announcement. The ship has been sold several times since the 1970s, with each new owner trying unsuccessfully to make the liner profitable. Eventually, the ship's fittings were sold at auction, leaving her stripped by 1994. Two years later, she was towed to Philadelphia, where she has remained.

Since 2009, the 'SS United States Conservancy' has been raising funds to save the ship. The group purchased her in 2011 and has drawn up several unrealized plans to restore the ship, one of which included turning the ship into a multi-purpose waterfront complex. Donations have allowed the ship to avoid being scrapped as the ship awaits development while berthed in Philadelphia.

Due to a rent dispute, the ship has been ordered to leave her pier by September 2024 by a judge. If the ship is not relocated in time, she would be sunk as an artificial reef off Destin, Florida.

  1. ^ a b Horne, George (June 24, 1951). "Biggest US Liner 'Launched' in Dock; New Superliner After Being Christened Yesterday". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Cudahy, Brian J. (1997). Around Manhattan Island and Other Tales of Maritime NY. Fordham University Press. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-8232-1761-8. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Ujifusa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (November 15, 1969). "Liner United States Laid Up; Competition From Jets a Factor; The United States Cancels Voyages and Is Laid Up". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  6. ^ "Retirement and Layup". SS 'United States' Conservancy. 2011. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Reef was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "SS United States Specifications". ss-united-states.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.