The SS United States, America’s Flagship, arrived in Mobile, Alabama today after an approximately 1,800-mile tow from her berth in Philadelphia. The iconic national symbol and last surviving American ocean liner will now undergo preparations for her deployment as the “World’s Largest Artificial Reef” off Florida’s Gulf Coast near Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
“Today, the nation’s sole surviving ocean liner will glide down the Delaware River to begin the next chapter in her uniquely American story. As the fastest ship to ever cross the Atlantic travels for the first time since arriving in Philadelphia in 1996, we are reminded of the postwar high-water mark that the SS United States so gracefully and powerfully embodied when she was launched in 1951.”
As a boy in the 1970s, Michael Plant spent his weekends and summer days in Highlands, New Jersey, especially around the Highlands Marina where his uncle was the manager. Central to the marina was its bar, “The Bitter End,” and while Michael and his cousins were only old enough to play in the bar before it opened to the public, the rooms nautical collectibles - especially the big framed print of the SS United States - were enthralling for Michael.
The Conservancy is devoted to raising awareness and education around the historic SS United States. We are delighted any time we learn of teachers incorporating America’s Flagship into their lessons. We were recently contacted by Steven Ouellett, a teacher based in The Bronx, New York City. Ouellett wrote:
“She’s not perfect, but this was my best attempt to build a replica of the SS United States out of manila folders, poster board, and aluminum. As a science teacher, my students and I were on the subject of density and displacement, and what better way to demonstrate it by using ships? Unfortunately, COVID-19 closed down all the schools and the way to wrap up this project and launch her. So to not disappoint my students, I built her myself. Her keel was laid on the 21st of March and was officially launched on the 12th of June. The model SS United States’ length overall (LOA) is 70 inches, the beam is 14 inches and the maximum draught is 3.5 inches.”
You can see a video of the model below.
“I was inspired to build this model because I remember accidentally discovering the SS United States when doing research on Blue Riband ships. When doing more research, I saw more of her coloured history as the current reigning Blue Riband,” Ouelett told the Conservancy. “I got emotional when I saw the state she’s in at Philadelphia, and to think that so few people know of her. I grew up at sea, and to think that such a beauty is largely unknown by her country, which she’s named after and flew the flag for, made me really feel emotional and more inclined to honour her.
Originally, I’m from Canada but this was a ship that really means a lot to me because I admire great feats of engineering and I would love, as any ocean liner enthusiast would, to see the real beauty restored, hopefully re-moored in New York, and honoured for how great she is.”
Steven also sent in these photos from his recent trip to Philadelphia, where he was able to see America’s Flagship in person.
The SS United States Conservancy is advancing its plans to create a world-class shipboard museum and visitor center aboard the redeveloped Big U. Learn how you can help.
The story of the SS United States is our story.
It is a story of our nation’s triumphant emergence after the trauma of World War II. A story of people, from small towns to big cities, setting out on life-changing journeys to distant shores; Of immigrants crossing the Atlantic in order to build a new life. A living icon of the American dream, the SS United States, continues to represent the power of freedom, hard work, common purpose, and innovation.
Debuted in 1952, the SS United States quickly became the most powerful and fastest ocean liner in the world, smashing the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage. Entirely Made in America by over 3,000 pairs of tireless hands, and with products and components from every state in the nation, the SS United States was a global ambassador and the pinnacle of mid-century maritime design. Behind her graceful lines and patriotic flair, she was a national security asset, capable of being transformed into a state-of-the-art, top-secret military vessel.
Help us continue to tell the story of the SS United States by ordering a limited-edition T-shirt or tank top, featuring the sleek mid-century modern-inspired design by Greg Shutters. The 100% Cotton, Hanes Tagless T-shirts provide you with the utmost comfort while remaining durable through each wear and wash. The Hanes X-Temp Tank Top, with a tearaway label, offers special moisture-wicking fabric, perfect for enjoying the summer heat. Each and every sale of these limited-edition shirts helps to keep the SS United States afloat, supporting the ship’s basic expenses as our redevelopment plans advance into their next phase. Each and every sale helps to keep the SS United States afloat, supporting the ship’s basic expenses as our redevelopment plans advance into their next phase.
The SS United States Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, is committed to saving America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance, restoration, and ultimate reuse of this iconic vessel and works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic will remain an inspiration for generations to come.
With over 500,000 square feet of unique space, the SS is ready for conversion into a spectacular historic, waterfront destination. The Conservancy is also hard at work building an extraordinary collection of art, artifacts, and historical documents from America’s Flagship to be displayed in our future ship-board museum. Your support will enable us to continue building and curating our collections, while also developing exciting new digital exhibitions.
For more information about the extraordinary SS United States, visit www.ssusc.org or www.wearetheunitedstates.org. You can also find the Conservancy on Facebook and Twitter.
