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.”
Paul Klee had had a lifelong appreciation for classic ocean liners, which began in 1952, when he and his family traveled to Europe aboard French Line’s SS Liberté. The Klees spent a year abroad, before returning to America the following year aboard the SS United States. Young Paul was only eight years old at the time, but memories of that voyage have stuck with him through the years. He writes:
My family had been living in Europe for the past year (we had sailed eastbound on the French Line's Liberté) and I think they felt it might be nice to take the then quite new SS United States home. This was in June 1953, and I still have the log abstract from that voyage [see below], Number 22, Westbound, departing Le Havre on June 12th. We kids (me and my sister) ate at the first seating, my parents in the second. It seems incredible now that we didn't all eat together, but I'm quite certain about this. I also distinctly recall the Meyer Davis Orchestra playing in the dining room (this was in First Class, by the way). My sister and I were not allowed on the outside decks without a parent, which also seems old-fashioned now. And for some reason, a movie I saw aboard, The Juggler with Kirk Douglas, remains a strong memory as well. Despite being a late spring crossing, we hit a June gale on our last day out, June 15. I remember it well, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Luckily I didn't then, and do not now, suffer from heavy weather at sea. The log states: "Winds SSE-Force 7, Rough sea. Heavy SSW'ly swell." A boy about my age whom I had befriended fell out of his upper bunk and broke his arm!“
Log abstract from the Big U’s westbound journey, courtesy of Paul Klee.
As fate would have it, that single journey would not be Paul Klee’s only encounter with America’s Flagship. Exactly 11 years to the day that he returned from Europe aboard the SS United States, Klee photographed the vessel as she pulled in to Pier 86 in New York Harbor. Last year, Klee donated these stunning Kodachrome photos to the Conservancy’s permanent collection.
Photo courtesy of Paul Klee.
A lifelong advocate for classic liners, Klee says he’s proud to support the Conservancy in our mission to preserve the legacy of the Big U.
“I have been a member of the New York branch of the World Ship Society for many, many years, and as well the Steamship Historical Society of America,” he said. “I am pleased that more recently I have joined the SS United States Conservancy family, and that my 1964 photos will have a proper home.”
Below, you’ll find more of Paul Klee’s stunning photos of the Big U from that unforgettable day in 1964. Simply click on the right side of each photo to view the next one in the collection … or click the left side to view the previous photo.
The SS United States Conservancy is committed to creating a world-class museum and visitor center aboard the redeveloped Big U. Learn more about our plans here.
American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson was among the great number of famous personalities who crossed the Atlantic aboard the SS United States. Although she almost always suffered from seasickness, sailing on the ocean was one of the things she most loved to do. In an excerpt from her personal diary, written aboard the ship between March 30th and April 4th, 1961, Miss Jackson described her journey this way:
"New York, March 30: We took a cab to the United States Lines pier on W. 46th Street to board the SS United States. Loads of friends gathered to see me off. Everything was most exciting, with photographers from New York papers snapping pictures. I was dead tired and soon as the boat pulled out I was in my room and in bed."
Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson aboard the SS United States, 1961. Credit: Bettmann/CORBIS.
Jackson's journal continued:
"SS United States, April 1: After sleeping for two days I came out of my stateroom through the insistence of musical director Meyer Davis who kept calling to me to attend a party for comedian Jackie Gleason. So finally I pulled myself out of bed and mingled with the guests, but within an hour I was back in my room looking out through the window at the beautiful water. I never knew water had such a drawing power on me. It was quite interesting to see the different forms and shapes the water would take, the different waves and colours; the different moods and sounds."
The next day, on April 2, which was Easter Sunday, Ms. Jackson sang aboard “Were You There When They Crucified Our Lord” for the Protestant Service. Two days later, the Big U arrived at Southampton where reporters and interviewers came aboard to interview her, prior to the triumphant concert that took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson aboard the SS United States, 1964. Credit: Bettmann/CORBIS.
The SS United States has been a cultural icon since her maiden voyage in 1952. Today, she continues to inspire authors, artists and musicians around the country.
This is a crucial time for the SS United States, and you can play a decisive role in securing her future. There are many ways to get involved — make a donation today.
