What Made the SS United States SO Fast? 

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Fun fact. I was a crew member in 1968. We were delayed by a tugboat strike in Le Havre France for one day, and on the way back home we had a regularly scheduled stop in Cobh Ireland, which was also the Titanic's last port. So, a day late, we crossed the Atlantic in a little over three days, at something approaching 40 knots. It is not recognized in the Blue Riband competition since it didn't go from Bishops Rock to Ambrose light, but I believe it was the fastest transatlantic voyage by a liner. My bunk was right over the inboard port screw, and I bounced my way all across the Atlantic.

The British satire publication, Punch, said this at the time of the launch of the SS United States. “After the loud and fantastic claims made in advance for the liner United States, it comes as something of a disappointment to find them all true.” I think that summed it all up perfectly. Your video is a fantastic tribute to a spectacular ship!

As a child of 8 years old in 1956, I sailed on the SS United States with my mother and sister from New York to Southhampton - and back several months later. It was a brilliant experience. We were in "tourist class", but it was a world away from what was in another era "steerage". Tourist class was accommodated near the front portion of the ship. It was clean, and comfortable. The help and service from the stewards was first rate. A large dining room served sumptuous meals. A sheltered area between the two funnels provided space for recreation and leisure. An array of reclinable deck chairs offered an opportunity to relax and chill out with a blanket. I read books there and gazed at the ocean for hours. The attendants were very patient and kind to a boy full of curiosity who asked many questions. They even helped me with my reading. On the return crossing, the ship crossed paths with a hurricane. In order to get out of the way of the this disturbance, the ship powered up. A lot of the passengers got seasick. The gala steak dinner night was sparsely attended. My family was as sick as any other. I knew that getting on deck was at least a temporary cure. So I donned my macintosh and made my way up to the promenade deck where I found an alcove shelter. I watched the roiling sea and witnessed a trawler being tossed around like a cork. About 40 minutes later, an officer found me on deck, and I was returned to my panicked but angry mother. The experience was worth her wrath. Disembarkation was a revelatory experience. Back in our hometown of Vancouver, my father had managed to pull some strings. Accordingly, we were invited to disembark from the first class part of the ship. First Class enjoyed priority and rather effortless immigration clearance in the comfort of the first class ballroom. We were dazzled by the splendour of it all, which if not as ornate as in the old "Queens", it was at least as impressive in a more modern style. My mother recognized various people of eminence and celebrity, but they meant nothing to me at the time. At the end of the each voyage, passengers were presented with an elegantly printed, folded card with an abridged version of the ship's log. Usually it recorded the date and average speed and distance made by the ship. For this crossing, there were a couple of days left blank. The ship's upper limits of performance was still a state secret. I still have the card - a souvenir of a great adventure for a little boy.

When my dad rotated back to the states from England after his 3 year tour of duty at RAF Wethersfield (Air Force maintenance officer), he was offered a choice of flying our family back on MATS or a 5-day cruise from Southampton to NYC on the SS United States. Mom and Dad, along with us 5 kids were treated to an unforgettable, luxurious, and exciting trans-Atlantic crossing on this remarkable ship in March, 1963. I was 9 years old, so my memories were and still are quite vivid. My older sister and I had such fun exploring the ship from bow to stern and the meal service, complete with our own assigned waiter “Jack”, was second to none. In spite of the wonderful meal service, I skipped breakfast on the last day of the cruise to stand on the bow deck to watch our arrival past the Statue of Liberty to our docking spot in NY Harbor. What a thrill for a wide-eyed 9 year old! The cruise was the highlight of my youth, to say the least and my sister and I still love recounting our adventures on board. Watching this video really brought rushing back all those memories. Thank you!

In May of 1960, I was 8 years old and travelling aboard Cunard's HMS IVERNIA, travelling from Montreal to South Hampton. In the mid Atlantic, we spotted another ship behind us, that had just appeared on the horizon. Within 10 minutes the ship was alongside us and identified as the S.S. United States. The loud sound of steam horns were exchanged by the two ocean liners as greetings. Ten minutes more and the S.S. United States disappeared over the horizon ahead of us. She was fasssst!

As a Marine engineer, I met a number of other engineers that had been on the USS United States for her sea trials back in 1952. When the government builds a ship, like the United States, under construction differential subsidy, the government reserves a large capacity of horsepower for the ship for their own use. The turbines that drove the ship were fitted with "commercial" nozzle blocks, which would drive the ship 38 kns. The government had the capacity of putting on "national defense" turbine nozzle blocks on the ship, which would dramatically increase the horsepower. The engineers that were there for the sea trials, in which they had the national defense blocks on the turbines, said the speed of the ship reached 55 kns in sea trials. Once the trials are over, the commercial blocks are replaced on the turbines, the national defense blocks would never again to be fitted to the ship.

In 1964, I made 5 crossings on the ship, working in the second class galley. It was an absolute pleasure. Even in a hurricane off Greenland returning to the U. S. she rode the waves smoothly. I spent numbers of nights in the anchor room with my head out the starboard port hole watching her cut through the waves, sleekly. Sad to see her in Philadelphia.

Not only did the Navy subsidize her construction but she was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. The very same shipyard who is now the sole builder of aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy and who had arguably the best workforce avaliable when it came to large ships design for high speed post WW2.

Fun fact. At the conclusion of her maiden voyage and return to New York, she had to be dry-docked because the high speed and friction during the crossing had actually sandblasted the paint off the bow. It was at that moment that I think the USL realized that they had a true speed demon at their command.

In February 1953 we were heading to New York from Ireland on the RMS Ascania. Mid ocean we passed the SS United States east bound. The crew on our ship hoisted possibly every flag and pennant we had on board as a salute to the fastest ocean liner. It must have been one of her earliest trips across the Atlantic. Our ship took 11 days to cross. The US took, I heard, 3 days max.

I see this ship all the time just sitting in a South Philly pier and just rusting away still. It’s still so very impressive at the size of it. She dwarfs everything around her. I could only imagine how a present day passenger ship would compare. The paint scheme almost looks the same except for being extremely faded.

Good video, I was a passenger on the SSUS. She was so fast that on deck I could lean into the wind like a downhill skier, almost parallel to the deck, and the force of the wind hold me up. A crossing on her was unlike any other ship I have been on, a truly amazing experience. Inside she was like a fine old-world hotel, cruise ships today, even the QM2 doesn't come close. Like a train on a schedule they were fast, but accommodating, in addition to meeting celebrities. Today's cruise/floating apt buildings with thousands of passengers cheapens the whole experience.

S.S. Unites States is so underrated as a ship i'm serious this ship broke all the records in the world and now is a rusty piece of iron i can't accept this fate for her

In June 1959 I sailed on the SS United States from La Havre France to New York City. In port at lunch on the first day the Captain announced the Queen Elizabeth had sailed from Portsmouth 12 hours earlier and with the passengers permission he said he would like radio the Captain of QEI and challenge her to a race to NYC. Four and a half days later we arrived in NYC five hours ahead of the QE1. Great trip even in high seas for three days. Fun watching our progress.

Her actual top speed was classified for years, but some sources hinted at 45 knots for a top end. She was also designed that her cabin accommodations could be converted to troop transport configuration in about a week. Amazing ship.

I had the privilege of traveling on the SS United States back in 1961. We traveled from England to New York. We had so much fun swimming and going to the movies. We even sat with the Captain for dinner one evening. She was a beautiful vessel.

The SS United States could do 20 knots - astern! She could also carry enough fuel and provisions to steam 10000 miles at 35 knots. An absolute marvel of marine engineering and it's a damn shame the condition she sits in today. The prototype Boeing 707 flew 2 years after she launched and the first 707 flew 5 years after her launch. She was doomed to a short career. Only one true ocean liner survives today.

I live just outside of Philadelphia where the United States is docked. For nearly my entire life it’s been sitting there rotting away and I’ve always wondered why it’s still sitting there. There’s an IKEA just outside of where she’s docked and the little restaurant there has huge windows looking right out to the ship and gives you a great view of it and you can see everyone looking at it wondering why it’s there lol.

The Big U was crewed by 3 Unions of American sailors who followed orders and only ran her just fast enough to keep the Blue Ribband, keeping her true troopship speed unpublished. Legend around the Union Halls has it that the engineers only “opened her up” to full wartime speed a few times, one of which occurred due to a tug boat strike work stoppage in NY harbor which delayed the departure of the Big U who had a set Arrival time at the Panama Canal. In order to make it on schedule, the weather decks were closed off, passengers stayed inboard and the engineers opened her up to classified speed and just made the Canal arrival. The Deck Officers were truly impressed at her “war speed.”

Thank you another excellent video. I started work at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1986. There were still quite a few employees who had worked on her. I was able to go onboard her while she was at a pier in Norfolk. This was shortly after the auction at which much of her interior furnishings were sold. For a few dollars and a signature on a liability waiver, you could go through the entire ship. I went all through the superstructure and the forward funnel. I will always regret that the lack of a flashlight prevented me from venturing down into the engine rooms.

We see her everytime we go over the Walt Whitman bridge heading to Wildwood New Jersey for vacations. So glad she survives, though unfortunately her condition is not good. I know Mr. Gibbs daughter is involved, and may even own the ship. I certainly hope a treasure like this will one day get the attention and recognition she deserves, and shine again. Awesome video!

I’m a US citizen because my father served on the Bremen. He told me about her bulbous nose. We were invited to a Captain’s diner on board the Coast Guard’s Eagle in Detroit before I was old enough to become a citizen because long before the war he was a cadet on her. And he helped her escape from NY to Murmansk early September 1939. After the war my mother taught me how to swim within sight of the SS United States during flood tide in Bremerhaven. I was thrilled to see one of her propellers at the entrance to the aircraft carrier Intrepid in NY City a half dozen years ago. Thank you for your research and fantastic commentary !

I am too young to have seen this ship in action but from time to time I do see her docked in Phily PA. Even though she looks like she's two steps from the scrap yard, its awe inspiring to look at the shape and design of this ship. I dont know if it will ever happen, but it would be amazing to see this ship refitted and out doing her thing.

Absolutely amazing video, well-done!! I’ve had the privilege of seeing the SSUS in-person in Philadelphia a few years ago. Even in her current condition, she is stunning! Even if you didn’t know how fast she was, you can tell by looking at her that she was meant for speed! Hopefully she can get restored in the future.

Great video..I was adopted in Germany in 1966 & my new parents brought me back to the U.S in 1967 aboard the SS United States..We still have pictures coming across the Atlantic & arriving in New York City, along with the original tickets & brochures from our trip...CBS Sunday Morning did a great story on the ship also...Thanks for posting this.

Enjoyed this immensely! Thank you Elaine Kaplan was my first boss at my first engineering job at Gibbs & Cox back in the late 80s. She was a cool lady. Talked often about this ship.

Like a number of other commenters, I have great memories of this magnificent ship and the remarkable experience of being a passenger. My family crossed in First Class NY to Le Havre in 1964, and returned to NY on her in 1967. Simply another world. Driving up to the pier, stepping out, watching our cars driven away to be loaded aboard to arrive when we did. The amazing dining (I still have the beautiful printed menus, unique for each meal) and even sharing a dinner at the Captain's Table. Coats and ties for every meal, even as a 12 year-old. The decor was more modern and minimalist than other famous liners (part of the weight saving design), but seemed fitting to the sixties. The sense of speed enroute was palpable, especially strolling on deck, fighting the cold Atlantic wind. After all, this wasn't a cruise ship. She was the last of the great transatlantic liners, and, of course, the fastest. It's sad to follow her fate in recent years, but there is no recreating what she was in her time. After my 35-year career as an international airline pilot, with several hundred transatlantic flights, I can safely say the transatlantic liners like the SS United States are symbols of a glorious past and their like will never be seen again. Thanks for the video.

She remains my favourite ship of all time - a total hot rod. However she was also the most fireproof liner ever built. The only wood on the ship were the chopping boards in the galley! The flip side to that was she was rammed full with asbestos. I remember that I was one of her insurers in the early 1990s, when she was towed to Tuzla in Turkey to have asbestos ripped out!

My father was sent to England during WWII on board the Queen Mary. The QM was so fast that she didn't want or need military escorts, and traveling in a convoy would negate her speed. She was so fast she simply outran any u-boats. No zig zag course, pointed towards England and pedal to the metal all the way. They did make one mid course correction when a spotter plane saw a u-boat along her pathway.

When I graduated college I rung the bell from this ship, which today sits in the bell tower of Christopher Newport University in Virginia. The library houses many other artifacts from the ship, and one of the propellers is across the street at the Mariner’s Museum.

I came from Germany to America in 1952 on this magnificent ship I was only 5 years old but we're I'll never forget and strangely it haunts me all the time I remember so vividly that every night the orchestra played the Tennessee waltz which was I believe Patti Page a song that was popular then And it just every night they played it several times what an incredible experience I wish I could remember more.

Speaking as a life-long sailor, and a US Navy veteran, I find your content fascinating. I subscribed based on this video, and look forward to all the interesting videos you have created. High fives to your content AND your editing choices. ( I make my living now as a video producer, editor, and post-productionist, so I know good content when I see it.) Two thumbs up!

I crossed from NYC to Bremerhaven aboard the SS US in 1960 as a 17-year-old boy going to Germany with my Army family. It was in the middle of January, and the storms were violent beyond belief. The ship felt safe and powerful no matter what was going on. She was almost empty, so we got super-dooper service and attention from the friendly staff. It was a taste of the millionaire's life. I wish I could tell you all my explorations and the fun I had. It was the last years of the great liners, and I'm glad I didn't miss it. At at our destination: Europe! I'm sorry for anybody who wasn't an American kid in those days.

Wonderfully done. The Big U was and still is quite a technical marvel. I'd love to go down into the engine rooms and take a walk around just to see it all.

This is the greatest liner of all time and I think it is WAY to underrated.

I did enjoy this video. When I was 12 years old I crossed the Pacific in 1960 on the SS President Cleveland, the flagship of American President Lines. It was a wonderful 18 day voyage that I'll always treasure. The new cruise ships are larger and fitted with every amusement known to man but lack even a scintilla of the class of the old ocean liners. One part of the voyage I remember is when we met the SS President Wilson in the middle of the Pacific. The Wilson was the sister ship of the Cleveland. We all crowded the deck to wave to the Wilson passengers as we passed. Commodore Ehman was the captain.

Well done, thank you. Not many maritime history videos here on UT are all that strong for the facts. I will just add a note-William Francis Gibbs is buried in an obscure grave in the Princeton Cemetery, Princeton NJ (same location as President Cleveland). You would not even know Gibbs was there-I just happened to stumble onto it, after going to the Cleveland 100th Anniversary centennial of his passing.

Wonderful video. I sailed from Bremerhaven to NYC summer of 1958, first class. It was a great trip as my brother and I and another boy our age explored the ship at length. At one point we were in heavy seas so they closed the swimming pool as the water was surging up to the ceiling. I noticed a freighter about a mile away was plowing through waves over their bow as we passed them with a comfortable ride.

A friend of mine came to the United States on SS United States. I hadn't heard of a faster ocean liner but, before watching this video. I didn't know she held the record for speed of an ocean liner. Thanks for telling the story of her engineering. I was born in the U.S. but I only speak "American" and have difficulty understanding English from most places outside the American Midwest. Thanks for including the written version onscreen.

What a fantastic piece of engineering. Thanks. This ship deserves a second life.

Please note, Gibbs' Malolo had a bulbous bow before Bremen and Europa... he didn't "borrow" the design from them, he initiated the practice in large passenger liners. Fantastic video!

I can see why you kept going back to add more details to this video. She's a remarkable vessel, those propellers! Love that picture of the funnel with the cars parked around it.

What a fantastic video! I've been interested in ocean liners since I was a small boy many (way too many) years ago. I knew the generalities of the United States, but I've never seen such a simple and elegant analysis and explanation of the overall design of the ship. Thanks for creating this great piece of historical video and promoting awareness of this remarkable ship!

My grandmother grew up in Bremerhaven and told me about how she always went to look at the great liners and troup ships that went into the harbour from america and how she actually was invited with her father onto the United States and how grand everything (especially the food) was to her and you can clearly see how great the impact of those liners were on the people Theese ships werent just means of transport they were beacons of progress, hope and friendship between nations You didnt need to be rich and traveling first class to enjoy theese liners it was more than enough to just see them arriving in your harbour with the music and celebrations to be part of this awesome experience

Awesome video! Love the style and story telling. Can't wait for more :)

I got to see her in person. She is an amazing liner I just hope she is restored as a museum and hotel one day.

I have ALWAYS loved the SS US and I have and will continue to contribute to the SS US Conservancy in an attempt to save this beautiful legend. It's still so sad that she is doomed to lay dormant in Philadelphia Harbor for the rest of her life when she should be on the world's oceans living her natural existence.

My mother crossed the Atlantic on her in the 1950s, having done so on other liners, and remarked that while it was an impressively quick crossing, there was rather a lot of vibration. My dad crossed twice on QM1 in the war and am lucky enough to have enjoyed the Empress of Canada in 1970 and QE2 in 1973. Thanks for making such excellent videos!

Without a doubt, this is the best ocean liner documentary I’ve ever seen … and I’ve been an ocean liner buff for 50 years. Excellent narration coupled with magnificent imagery and wonderful background music. I can’t begin to describe how impressed I am. Bravo!

Another great video Michael. I used to live near Philadelphia and have seen the United States up close several times. It is a shame she is in such a poor condition at present. I keep holding out hope she will be saved, but time is running out.

Thanks for that video. I had the experience to cross the Atlantic on the SS United States from Le Havre, France to New York City in October of 1963. The North Atlantic in October is no place for the weak at heart. The crossing was quote bumpy, the huge ship was heaving up and down considerably. But the captain kept the speed up and we arrived in NYC 4 1/2 days. A little more than a day more than the Blue Riband run, but give the sea state it was still pretty remarkable. It was an experience I'll never forget.

When I was in the Navy in the late 60's and early 70's she was parked at south annex in Norfolk, VA .My ship (Navy) was parked near her for a few months and we talked the watchman into letting us crawl around one Sunday afternoon. She was impressive just to walk through even then and her speed record was still legendary. Years later we owned a vacation home on the Outer Banks of NC and a retired doctor had purchased quite a bit of SS United States interior at auction, particularly the furniture from lounges and dinning rooms, and created a restaurant in Nags Head called Windmill Point. The lounge was call SS United States and it became one of our favorite restaurants. The ship has been sold several times since then and now sits in Philadelphia's marine terminal looking very dim and dodgy, just a shadow of it's former self. Seems like someone tries to put her back into service every few years but then runs out of cash. Oh well, all things eventually come to an end; even great ships!

Thank you for this great video! My favorite ship, I hope they restore her soon so we can all go see!

She was a Wonderful Ocean Liner.

My cousin David Odell was an engineer officer on the SS United States. When he was asked about the immense speed it could do , he replied that it could, but was subject to a LOT of vibration when it did.

Always been impressed by ships speed. My fishing boat does 30 mph. And that big bastard is fifty years older but could leave me standing still. Just awesome!

This video was honestly both very entertaining and instructive. As always, great production work, love the videos ! Please keep going that way, cheers !

I absolutely adore the animations in these videos, so freaking gorgeous on how well you pay to attention. Definitely worth waiting for the next video.

Easy, power. The ship was partly funded by the USN and would be used as a fast troop carrier in the event of a war in Europe. It was fitted with the power plant that had already been used in the Iowa class battleships and were being used in the Forrestal class carriers. In the Iowa the plant produced 212,000 hp and drove the 58,000 ton ship at least 33 knots. In the Forrestal the plant produced 260,000 hp and pushed the 80,000 ton ship at least 33 knots. In the United States they produced 242,000 hp and pushed the much lighter 47,000 ship at least 38 knots. The engineering department was off limits as the machinery was classified. In a war setting with no thought to wear and tear, the plant could probably produce more power and drive the ship over 40 knots easily. The ship also had a long narrow hull, more destroyer or cruiser like. It also had 2 inch hull plating, in case of future war duty.

A couple of things: Those "air bubbles" at the propellers were not air, they were pure vacuum. The propeller overstrained the water to the point that the water split right open. These bubbles very quickly collapsed and made a heck of a snap, that's what ate away at the propellers. Speed was fine and very useful in wartime as it let the ship potentially run away from enemy subs. However the power needed goes up very sharply compared to the speed, so at 38 knots you are very close to a brick wall on speed. It's high cost, high speed and limited passenger capacity made it rather uneconomical to run. It was retired from service in 1969. Unfortunately it was also heavily slathered in asbestos, so it was impractical to remodel it for other uses. Beautiful ship, though.

I'm so glad to see a new video from you! I love this ship. If I were a multi-billionaire, I would gladly part with a couple of those billions, or more, whatever it took, to comprehensively restore Big U to her original, fully operational condition. She deserves no less. Totally unique in the world, she is one of the most amazing ships ever built. Her staggering power and speed are a big part of what defines her. She really should be made operational. Not, however, to be put into regular service, which would require modifications so extensive that it would alter her drastically. I'm thinking of a different kind of role- an operating museum ship, perhaps? I would pay to take a 40-knot thrill ride on Big U for a few hours, or go on an overnight trip. After her restoration, I would set up a generous trust to ensure that she'd be maintained in top condition. I know. I'm crazy. So?

My Uncle was Chief Engineer on United Sates for many years and I was on her twice as a kid, including of course the Engine Spaces. He claimed (and I can't prove it) that she could make 42kts as a short "Dash Speed" in an emergency but it was too hard on the reduction gears to exceed 38. While this is a wonderful video about her design. May I suggest another on her unique construction i.e. the almost complete lack of wood or any other combustible material which the Navy insisted on. She was, and is probably still, the most fireproof ship ever built. Sad to see her condition today but despite the herculean work by many to preserve her it's doubtful she will be around much longer. The City of Long Beach is pouring more millions into Queen Mary just to keep her from sinking in her moorings. Personally I believe the noble end for these great ships is to strip them of anything that would endanger the environment and tow them out and scuttle them to serve as artificial reefs.

Well done and presented and quite informative. Thank you for putting this video together and sharing it.

Great video!! I have some family connections to this ship and she will always be super special to me. My mother worked at the U.S. Lines office in downtown Philadelphia in the 1970s; but back in 1963, I got my picture taken standing beside her in NY harbor while we were on a family vacation. My only regret is that I did not get to sail on her myself. She will always be the world's fastest ship!

And she still exists! We can just go see her right now! A beautiful, revolutionary ship. I love her a lot. I didn't know most of that about Gibbs. Or her propellers, either. That's very unique and interesting. He seems like a character. I wish he had designed more of the big ones, I'd love to know more about his process and ideas.

Wonderful video - thank you for your tribute to this beautiful ship!

..Very well done, once again Mike! You make the difficult seem easy, and make the ordinary, quite beautiful... Carry on!

Thank you very much for this wonderful video. Brings back memories: in 1966 or 67 as a young teenage boy I witnessed the arrival of the United States in Bremerhaven, Germany. Ship arrivals were a big event at that time. I was so impressed by this beautiful and giant vessel that I feel always connected to it in a way.

I watched the first minute and I can already say that the quality in this video is amazing! Keep it up.

When I was a child my family and I crossed the Atlantic in the SS United States. I only wish I remembered more details, but I was only 8 at the time. I do remember quite a bit, though -- it was a beautiful way to travel!

For years I went to work next to the hulk of the United States parked in Norfolk at the old Army Base pier. Her insides, and movable fixtures were sold at auction. She was sold to some European millionaire, and later towed over seas where she was to be restored. I got a chance to go on board and walk the deck, and she was long lean and still impresive. I went to Long Beach and toured the Queen Mary, she was fat and luxurious. But I knew what 1st place looked like. Your video brought back fantastic memories, keep up the good work.

As a child, I crossed the Atlantic twice in the late 1950s aboard this ship. I wish we could still have an option to travel by ocean liner, and by train, besides plane travel.

Thank you for another wonderful video. Beautiful visuals. I wish we in the US had a better sense of history., but maybe it's not too late. The video was well worth the wait!😉

She was, and still is a very remarkable ship in my opinion. One of the best.

A very interesting video, thanks! My mother and I crossed the Atlantic from New York to Bremerhaven on the SS United States in 1958. I was too young to remember and only have photographs of me in my baby stroller next to a life ring with the ship's name as reminders. My last crossing was on the USNS Buckner in 1965 which I vividly remember since I was seasick from Southhampton to New York. Memorable times!

Truly impressive, very much so! Thanks for that well structured insight into naval history.

I can’t even imagine going up on deck, opening a door, and facing 40+ mph winds. It’s just bizarre almost, a ~1,000 foot long ship traveling at automobile speeds. I’d love to go back in time and lean my entire body into the wind… sunset, not a single building or ship in sight, middle of the Atlantic. If only it were possible today. 😔

wonderful renderings! Somewhere around 1960, I got to tour the SS United States while berthed in NY. I was six-years-old in 1960 so I am guessing the year. I clearly remember that my biggest thrill was meeting Sonny Fox, the host of Wonderama, a local kids' TV show that I believe sponsored the tour. The ship impressed me too though as being sleek and modern. Though my career ultimately focussed on land based buildings - I did participate in a few boat houses and other shoreline projects - I have always loved studying boat and ship plans.

Excellent and most interesting! I did sail on this ship from Le Havre to NY in the early 60's and it brought back some memories albeit limited ones as I was rather young!

I live down the street from SS United States. Coffee at the IKEA there is a treat, a perfect view. She was before my time but I enjoyed your MOST thorough piece, best I've seen. Great music too 🎵 !! Gibb's granddaughter hosted a passionate fundraiser at that IKEA a few years ago that I'll always remember.

I remember going down west shore drive in NYC and her bow would protrud over the highway. The France was also a beautiful ship

You make excellent, high quality videos, which are a pleasure to listen to. More about the SS United States would be interesting. I believe she's still hanging on -- if barely, moored in Philadelphia.

Sailed on her twice. 1963 and 1966. Wonderful memories from my youth.

MANY thanks! And thanks, too, for an uplifting ending by not showing her as she is now, but in her 'prime!'

The award for the fastest crossings was the Blue Riband. Blue ribbons are given for the best pies and cows at county fairs.

Beautiful video, and great information. I'd have liked a section on the rest of her history after the sections about her design, just to finish the story. But thank you for converting knots to mph!

What an amazing upgrade in the visuals, BRAVO! BRAVO! As always I love your presentation, great job!

Well done! Am and have been an ocean liner buff for years and this was a great video on the US response to years of ocean liners, I love the old British and French ones but the Unite States was incredible!!

Most enjoyable video. The SS United States was built across the river from me and I have a few linens, towels, tray covers and napkins 'appropriated' on the last voyage. One thing omitted from the video, and an answer as to why the ship is so fast - estimated at 52 mph, tho' it's speed is still classified, were the engines. Being built in Newport News Shipyard, to double as a Presidential Command Ship, or troop ship as might become necessary, it was decided the only engines capable of delivering the desired speed were aircraft carrier engines. The ship was quite spartan, utilizing aluminum tubes for the stateroom chairs, with flame proof fabrics. The only items aboard that could burn were the chopping blocks in the gallies and the grand pianos. One item of exquisite luxury was the Lalique etched glass wall between the First Class bar and dance floor. I remember how sad I was, standing on the first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel when out of the cold, drizzling mist appeared this magnificent ship, the Pride of the United States, behind an ocean-going tug on her way to Turkey

Hearing aluminum pronounced that way (the wrong way naturally 😏) will never get old!

Wish I had been old enough to remember our passage from New York to Bremerhaven back in the 1950s. My mother and I were joining my father, who was in the US Army in Germany. Mom said that the trip was fantastic and the food was excellent. I still have a postcard that she purchased onboard. A beautiful ship.

I have spent about two hours trawling through the comments on this post a lot of which are very good quality and very pertinent and some of which are not really of the same standard, and I have made two or three remarks of my own (which others must judge). Regardless of that it is good to see the genuine interest shown in what is a unique and very interesting ship. Well done, from the UK, on a very good presentation!

"Oceanliner Designs" can make a great day even better. The SS United States is the only post war oceanliner I like. It's the Corvette of oceanliners, it has the speed and the looks. But the Queen Mary will always be my favorite of all. Now the SS United States just sits and rots, would be nice to see her moved to San Pedro and berthed next to the USS Iowa battleship and restored. Thanks Mike for a well narrated and well informed video.

Fantastic video!!!!!!!! Please make more!!!!!! Love these vids and can use your vids as a resource to teach my students!!!!!!!! Thanks again

This video was very informative and well put together. I always enjoy the sheer design of ocean liners. Thanks for sharing! BP

Thank you for telling this wonderful story. I am so glad you ended the video on a high note and not the sad note that the ship still sits forlorn. At least she hasn't been cut up.

My family and I sailed on both the France and the United States on our way to and from Europe in the mid 1960's. I was a baby and remember nothing, but my parents told stories about the voyages for the rest of their lives. RIP Mom & Dad! 😥💜

Thanks for a great video! My family took the United States on a return trip from Europe. Even at kid, I knew the United States was a special ship. The United States was more than a great ocean liner… it was the fastest ship in the world! Back then, that meant something. To be on the fastest ship that sailed across the Atlantic was something very special. One night during the five day voyage I slipped from our cabin and tip-toed out and into the long hallway lined with closed stateroom doors. Everyone was asleep. Everyone - except for me and the ship. I found my way up the stairs and passages to the sports deck. And there in the darkness, standing in my blue pajamas, I looked up and watched the fiery spray of stars pass over the giant funnels. What a feeling of freedom and exhilaration! These days there are lots of lumbering, top-heavy cruise ships to choose from. But in the 1950's to travel internationally on a great ocean liner was a unique experience. It was what movie stars and famous people and world leaders did. And to enjoy the trip on the fastest ship in the world; now that was something special.

Fantastic video! Thank you so much for the quality piece!