Abandoned - S.S. United States 

Had my 1st birthday on this ship in 1958.

"While he tried to keep his dream afloat..." God damnit, Jake.

In 1961 when I was 5 years old - I'm now 63 - Mum, Dad and me were on a weeks holiday in Bournemouth, on the third day Dad took us in the car - a Wolsey 444 - to Southampton to look at the ocean liners that were docked. And I got to touch the ropes of the Queen Mary. By pure luck towards the end of the day as we were getting ready to go back to Bournemouth, the SS United States was docking, and I got to see her up close. We were stood by the bow along side the railings as she was tied up, and the passengers were discharged, and that is the only time I have ever seen this ship. On a side note, we gave a ride to three American men into Southampton, and they were the first American's I had ever met, and I remember how exciting it was, they gave Dad a one dollar bill for the ride, and I still have it. P.S. Mum and Dad are no longer with us, as we lost Mum in Nov 2011, and Dad joined Mum in July 2017. 😢

It’s heartbreaking to see this old girl in such a bad condition

Is it just me that thinks old passenger ships were way nicer looking than modern cruises

May of 1958 my family and I, at age seven, sailed on this ship from our home in Glasgow, Scotland, to New York harbour and a new life in the United States. I still have memories and photos. I hope she can be saved.

It is interesting that the Americans bought the Queen Mary and turned it into a very successful tourist destination, but seem unable to save their own history.

"Cap'n and crew will be back soon after getting their cigarettes and gallon of milk. They wouldn't leave me here too long..." - S.S. United States

A ship that size going an average speed of 43 mph is astounding.

The SS United States has officially been saved. A few months ago, RXR Realty signed an agreement with the SS United States Conservancy to fully restore the vessel as a hotel and museum. They have already looked over the ships specifications and condition, and at this moment they are currently looking at New York, or other places to dock her. Long live the SSUS! 🇺🇸

I love they said “marlin Brando” and didn’t mention that Salvador Dali was in the same picture.

Charge $50/head to let people stand on the bow and shout "I'm king of the world!" Funding solved.

Imagine spending 18 years doing trans Atlantic crossings just to get stuck in Philadelphia

4 sale, 1 ocean liner project. SS United States. Needs some work *now asbestos free*

RMS queen Mary: *Preserved* SS United States: Hell naw..

Sinking it to make a artificial reef would be better than scraping it imo.

Alright, my turn now. I will restore the ship. Yeah, it's a billionaire project. I'm planning to... Idk... Turn it into an airplane. Seems feasible. But we all know I'm gonna drop the project some months later, right?

You can get a great view of this ship from the IKEA store restaurant in Philadelphia

Growing up in Philly, I was always in awe of this ship. We always called it the “ghost ship”. While most people in my area knew what ship you would be referring to, little knew what the history of the ship was. Such an amazing piece of history and it breaks my heart to have watched it decay over the years. I wish it would become a museum of sorts so I could step foot on it! Great video!!

She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s queen of 50 states She’s elegance and taste, she’s Miss United States.

I always saw this as a kid when we would go to Ikea, I and always asked my parents when we can go on it. My parents said the same thing every time. “We’ve been wondering the same thing.”

Man, that boat is an absolute unit.

I sailed on this ship when my dad was in the army and got orders to Germany. We sailed from New York to France in 1968. Beautiful ship, good memories.

I remember going on the SS United States with my father when I was nine or ten years old. We went in a limousine with one of his friends who apparently had some well-positioned authority in its construction. I am now 81 and the only memory I have of the ship is of the hand railings which were still wrapped in protective paper tape. Strange limited memory, because we must have toured the ship. It is sad it was used for only 18 years and then just fell into a state of deterioration and disrepair.

I live literally 2 minutes away from this ship, and it has always fascinated me. When I started to have a fascination with ocean liners and other ships, I would research this thing up. I love the ship so much! It’s a shame it’s so rusty though.

Damn.... beautiful ship. Abandoned quick like my Father.

The decay is mirroring what is actually happening in the USofA at this point in time.

I was 8 years old when my family and I sailed on this ship in December of 1967. We sailed from New York to Le Havre, France. I still have memorabilia from that crossing. It took 5 days in a rough North Atlantic. I've never barfed so much in my life!

Honestly, the best option for the S.S. United States would be to cosmetically restore it and turn it into a museum ship. In this regard I'm sure the people behind the USS Midway Museum would be great resource for learning how to get it done.

I sailed on this ship in December, 1955 to England. It was a magnificent experience, it needs to be saved because taxpayers paid for half its expenses and a symbolic example of our history. Please help save this ship. It’s worth saving, would make a great history exhibit.

In the 70s my retired uncle HAND-BUILT a detailed model of S.S. United States which I always admired as a boy; my cousins knew that & just gave it to me 2 months ago! Like its namesake in Philadelphia, it too needs some repairs, but I am SO PROUD to display this 3 foot long beauty on my own mantle!

The SS united States is amazing ship. I really hope it doesn't get scraped because it's such a beautiful ocean liner and its the fastest ship In the world. It always makes me cry to see ships get scraped or abandoned like the SS america. I hope someone buys it and restore's it to turn back into it's formal beauty

As always, another brilliant video from you. Your videos just keep getting better and better, keep up the good work!

I am an American Sailor and proud to say it. It hurts to see a grand lady like the S.S. United States in this condition. Man the stories this ship could tell. I would love to stand in her bridge had hold that big, brass steering wheel in my hands. To wear that uniform of a sailor on the S.S. United States would be the second greatest honor I could think of as a sailor after wearing the uniform of the United States Navy. Yes air travel is faster and more popular. But there is something about being on a ship. Being on the ocean that speaks to the human soul in a way that being in a big, metal, tube in the sky does not. Once more Jake, you educate and entertain at the same time, and this time you threw a bit of a knife in the soul of this old sailor. Like you, I pray to see the S.S. United States take her place as America's Flagship once again, I would be the first sailor to apply to work on her. Thank you for this, from all of us that have gladly called the sea our home, our first love, and our mistress.

My dad, during the early 60s, made a model of this ship.

It’s beautiful.....as a trucker driver who visits the shipping ports of Philly regularly I had always wondered it’s history. Thankyou!

Great story Jake. Thanks for giving her the coverage she deserves!

If there's one thing we've learned from Abandoned, it's that you shouldn't try to turn abandoned things into casinos.

Beautifully delivered Jake, thank you.

Well researched and well done.

As of December 10, 2018, the conservancy announced an agreement with the commercial real estate firm RXR Realty, of New York City, to explore options for restoring and redeveloping the ocean liner.

As someone who lives just an hour from Philly, I've been super passionate about saving this boat since I was... I don't know, 11 maybe? Every time I have lunch at the IKEA across the street, I make sure to grab a seat that lets me look at the ship. I remember watching a Titanic documentary as a kid, and the last 10 minutes of it was actually about the S.S. United States. It drew comparisons between the two ships but hopefully this ship will be saved, and that's what introduced me to it.

5:12 “Tried to keep his dream afloat” was was that on purpose? because that was pretty clever tbh

look at her, the united states. she looks tired, worn out. she's had her spotlight, albeit short (way too short), and im sure the ship appreciated the enthusiasm to restore her. the ss united states is my favorite ship of all time, and i would hate to see her go, but restoration is beginning to fade out of the question. i say we let the speed queen rest peacefully in the sea, returning to the sea what she took from it. she would make a gorgeous reef, and i definitely think if it this were to happen, vital parts of the ship should be taken and put into a museum (say, a funnel, propeller, cabin recreation, deck flooring, etc.) and let her be remembered in a museum. maybe she can even be turned into a reef right next to the museum, kind of like the uss arizona memorial.

Jeesh, you could fill up a damn cruise ship with all the plans for this boat.

My family and I sailed on the Big U from Le Havre to New York on our return from France in 1955. My father had been assigned to SHAPE Headquarters outside of Paris and we had just spent three years in France. Our 3 1/2 day voyage is absolutely one of the high points in my life--an experience I will never forget. Never, never never. Thank you so much for the memories!

Wonderful presentation of this beautiful and historic ship. Thank you.

Thank you soo much for making this video!!! My grandfather arrived in America from Germany aboard the S.S. United States on her first voyage. (Maiden voyage is from her home port to another port, first voyage is from her home port to all the other ports she is visiting, and back to her home port.) I really would like to see the S.S. United States be saved. It is a shame that such a glorious ship, a ship that still holds the Blue Riband to this day for the fastest Trans-Atlantic crossing, a ship so fast, she chipped away her paint in her haste to cross the Atlantic,is now rusting away in a port, seemingly forgotten about. She deserves better than to be rusting away in a harbor... She is living history of the success of America after WWII. SHE DESERVES TO BE SAVED!!!

The fascinating allure of the Abandoned series, along with Defunctland and other series like it, is the fact that so many people used to be somewhere and now they just aren’t. Whether that’s a mall, an amusement park ride, a store chain, or in this case a ship, the thing that draws us in is the unique quality that a special place has when it becomes abandoned. It’s a gut-wrenching feeling of nostalgia and sadness that these places can never live up to their former glory, and the feeling is satisfying every time. Any series that can give me that priceless feeling is worth it’s weight in gold. Kudos, Jake. Keep it up!

I see this ship every time I go down to the water front for dinner, or shopping. Now I know it's story. Thanks, Jake!

I would love to see you do a more in-depth video on her sister ship, one of the most incredible sights to grace the beaches!!

That was so cool! Sad, yes, but cool! Thank you so much for that walk back through history :)

I live in Philadelphia and see that thing rusting all the time.

My grandma came to the US in 1962 aboard this boat. Crazy

I hung out & lived in South Philly for about 15 years & I could never get used to how the ship looked like it was crashing into the dock. It’s so eerie & beautiful @ the same time.

Great video and information, thanks for sharing.

I always wondered what that ship was doing there every time I passed the bridge

That is a seriously fast ship, or was, such shame to see it waste away.

Just one of those things, I love this kind of video. So much information and it is obvious he knows exactly what he is talking about

I just watched your new video on the queen Mary in Long Beach, brought me over to this video, this is sad morning realizing to such important ships with the rust away

I love these kinds of videos and you create them better than anyone I've watched.

My Uncle was Chief Engineer on United States in the 60's and I was on Her many times in NYC. As noted in the video She still holds, and probably always will, the Blue Riband for the fastest passenger ship on the Transatlantic run. The only ship on the NY to Southampton run, RMS Queen Mary II, is operated at greatly reduced speed so as to extend the crossing to 7 nights and is considered a Cruise Ship. So sad to see the Greyhound of the Atlantic rotting away. Great video!

Very informative. I love the historic value

So sad,thanks for sharing!!

Should get back to cruise ships that look like that instead of the ones the look like big sneakers.

A few notes to this excellent production: Her engines were as a prototype to the Forrestal Class carriers. They were considered classified technology until 1980. The service speed of the ship was 38.32 knots but her top speed was 44.7 knots - over 50 miles per hour.

How have I never seen a video of yours. Very very informative.

I have absolutely no idea why they wouldnt restore this ship to operational status again. Sure there would be some technological issues that first have to be dealt with in order to bring it up to date especially in the electronic and safety suite but you cant tell me that there wouldnt be a market for a ship like this. Restoring it as a true transatlantic ocean liner is in my opinion a huge lost opportunity right now. Theonly ship in the world that still operates as a transatlantic liner is the queen mary 2 and that one is not a historic vessel. SS United States could very well operate on classic transatlantic routes as some sort of Nostalgia Trip line and I bet it would be a huge commercial success, especially in modern society were retro stuff is becomin in again , a nostalgic transatlantic passage like in the old romantic days of the 1910s or 20s would definetely fill a gap in the market or hell,even reopen a market that has been long lost. Imagine cruising across the ocean in a ship like this with an interior held in the classic luxurious style of transatlantic liners! And I dont know if her engines can be rebuilt but if so, imagining doing all this at 36 knots! This is sth no cruise ship in the world can offer!

Jake I've seen you and Dan grow so much over the past year, I'm so glad I found you on youtube!

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and have traveled Interstate 95 often. I always wondered what was the story behind the S.S. United States. She is a sleek beautifully designed ship. When I first saw the ship; I was in awe of this beautiful ocean going vessel. I've always feared that she would eventually be gutted and scraped. It is such a shame that this beautiful vessel is the victim of economics. Once she is gone - she is lost forever. Sometimes, one needs to take the initiative to save a masterpiece of technology regardless of the profitability. She could be such an asset to the City of Philadelphia! Independence Hall in Philadelphia was once threatened with destruction. Fortunately a group of enterprising ladies who valued the building because of its historic significance saved the building from the wrecking ball.

Binge., Binge, Binge!! Great watching mate, very impressed, Really interesting, well presented, slick videos....Good Stuff!

I remember seeing this ship every time I drove to the Phili airport. I once drove near it out of curiosity. Interesting history this ship has and also a sad one.

Why have you never done an Abandoned episode about Centralia, Pennsylvania? I think that would be really cool to watch with your amazing narration.

I love your vids man. You’re one of the only channels I have notifications on for. Keep making awesome content!

I’m from Philly, and grew up just staring at it not thinking about how odd it was to have an abandoned ship just sitting there.

WOW!! I just passed this ship last week and was wondering about it. Thanks for this information.

Very Interesting Content on this channel. Nice to learn some history about a country I am not from. It's a bit of a change. Thank you for your hard work researching Jake!

Another great video. Thanks for making it!

I only learned about her a few years ago. Driving past her multiple times in Philly. Now a regular site for many. She looked historic and beautiful. A site I wouldn't want to see gone but a site fully restored and with a purpose.

As a kid I always wondered this ships history! Good video!

My Great grandfather's boiler company actually worked on the S.S. United States

My grandmother went on the ship from New York to somewhere in France, she had third class, but was upgraded to 1st class after meeting a few celebrities.

Great video!! ❤it!

I was on this ship in the 80’s when she was in storage at Newport News. The guy in charge said her 2 biggest problems were asbestos and fuel inefficiency of the engines.

Thanks for this video! 👍🏽✨✨✨

Best abandoned channel! I love learning from you. Thank you for anything. :))

i remember as a kid i grew up 20 minutes outside of philadelphia. anytime my family drove into the city we always kept an eye out for “the big boat” and i always wondered why it was there. it’s really cool to learn the history behind this, i hope something is done with it in the future

I don’t understand why they didn’t this into a museum

Sad ending for a beautiful ship. I had watched a documentary about this a few years back, and an interesting fact about this ship is that she could travel faster in REVERSE than modern cruise ships move forward.

Amazing how the Queen Mary can be saved and preserved, yet this ship seemingly cannot.

A young Bill Clinton: S.S. United States An older Bill Clinton: Lolita Express

I boarded this Ship and toured it, around 1985 ish. I would have been 15, and I went on it with my Family, when it was docked in Norfolk, VA. I will never forget it. This ship is absolutely wonderful, and a relic of the past glory of America. It should be saved, and brought back to glory! I'd love to see it happen, though I understand it is not likely. Probably not economically feasible. This Ship was fast and sleek in it's day - the fastest of its kind. And the lines inside and out, are just amazing. This is a GREAT piece of living history. Thank you for posting this!

On a scale of 1-10, I give this ship a 1776

The huge problem with restoration attempts was that nearly all of it was with the intent to turn her into a cruise ship. This is a BAD IDEA. She is a ship with the 1950s she won’t last for very long as a cruise ship. She’s aged far too much for her to sail the seas. And there’s not really anything profitable from turning a historic vessel into a cruise ship, ppl who go on a cruise ship don’t have an interest in old, historic ships, they just want to be on a safe cruise and most of them prefer the more up to date ships anyway. And I’m glad these cruise attempts never came to fruition as I don’t like the idea of a ship like that having her design changes to being like those bulky, ugly cruise ships. As far as I’m concerned, they need to fully restore her first and foremost, and then figure out what to do from there. I think the best course of action those is a floating hotel or a floating museum.

Hey, it can still be used as a troop carrier for WWIII

I enjoyed such a detailed account of the S.S. United States along with so many photos and the footage. I've been an ocean liner enthusiast since I saw the disaster movie "The Poseidon Adventure" in 1972. As much as I like ocean liners I think the best thing to do would be to either scrap the "Big U" , to use her nickname, or use her as a reef. The liner has spent most of her existence in lay-up and has served her purpose in the world and what with her size and condition it's not feasible to reactivate her in some way. I'm of the viewpoint to finally put this story to an end.

Well done Jake. Another awesome documentary. 👍

Great research. Video is very good. Thank you for posting. You always do a great job on these videos.

thank you for talking about her

Please God, save this ship, it makes my heart hurt to imagine it not being in existence.