SS United States

SS United States at sea in the 1950s
History
United States
Name	United States
Owner	United States Lines
Operator	United States Lines
Port of registry	New York City
Route	1952: Transatlantic: New York – Le Havre – Southampton (also Bremerhaven) 1961: Cruises
Ordered	1949[3]
Builder	Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company[3]
Cost	$79.4 million ($748 million in 2023[5])
Yard number	Hull 488[2]
Laid down	February 8, 1950
Launched	June 23, 1951[1]
Christened	June 23, 1951[1]
Maiden voyage	July 3, 1952
In service	1952
Out of service	November 14, 1969[4]
Identification	IMO number: 5373476 Callsign KJEH
Nickname(s)	Big U The Big Ship America's flagship
Owner	Various
Acquired	1978
Notes	Multiple owners since 1978[6]
Owner	SS United States Conservancy
Acquired	February 1, 2011
Status	Laid up in Philadelphia[7]
Notes	Continual fundraising since 2011 for conservation.[7]
General characteristics
Type	Ocean liner
Tonnage	53,329 GRT, 29,475 NRT
Displacement	45,400 tons (designed) 47,264 tons (maximum)
Length	990 ft (302 m) (overall) 940 ft (287 m) (waterline)
Beam	101.5 ft (30.9 m) maximum
Draft	31 ft 3 in (9.53 m) (design) 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) (maximum)
Depth	175 ft (53 m) (keel to funnel)[9]
Decks	12[8]: 16
Installed power	240,000 shp (180,000 kW) (rated) 247,785 shp (184,773 kW) (trials)
Propulsion	4 × Westinghouse double-reduction geared steam turbines 8 × Babcock & Wilcox at 925 psi and 975 °F (524 °C) 4 × shafts, 2-four blade props, 2-five blade
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)
Capacity	1,928 passengers
Crew	1,044 [8]: 16
SS United States (Steamship)
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Show map of Philadelphia Show map of Pennsylvania Show map of the United States
Location	Pier 82, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	39°55′06″N 75°08′11″W / 39.91833°N 75.13639°W / 39.91833; -75.13639
Architect	William Francis Gibbs
NRHP reference No.	99000609[10]
Added to NRHP	June 3, 1999

SS United States is a retired ocean liner built between 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. In 2015, as its funds dwindled, the group began accepting bids to scrap the ship; however, sufficient donations came in via extended fundraising. Donations have kept the ship berthed at her Philadelphia dock while the group continues to further investigate restoration plans. The ship has been ordered to leave her pier by September 2024 by a judge due to a rent dispute. Currently, her fate is unknown as the conservatory has just months to move the ship.