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.”
On July 3, 1952, a crowd of over 13,000 gathered around Pier 86 on Manhattan’s Luxury Liner Row. In awe and admiration, young and old, they gazed upon a modern marvel. At 990 feet, the SS United States was over 100 feet longer than the RMS Titanic. If stood on one end, she’d have measured up to the iconic Chrysler Building.
The SS United States' magnificent red, white and blue "sampan" funnels remain the tallest ever to be installed on a ship — at 65 feet they are themselves as tall as a 6-story building. Today, learn more about their innovative design.
Can you spot the differences between the iconic red, white and blue funnels of the SS United States (top) and SS America? Photograph courtesy of Jane Schuling.
Preventing fumes on deck from ships' funnels has always been a headache for the designers of ocean liners. Although it was proven that William Francis Gibbs' streamlined funnel design — used previously on the SS Santa Rosa, her three sister ships and the SS America — was also suitable for the great SS United States, some minor changes were made in order to improve the final result. This new design involved modifying the angle of the funnels' fins, making them parallel to the ship’s keel and not raked aft, as in all of Gibbs’ previous designs.
Wind tunnel tests prior to the vessel's construction further proved that the fins' rotation would direct the smoke fumes upward and aft, thanks to the strong wind currents created by at the trailing edge of the now horizontal fin design. The result was that decks remained virtually smoke-free, as never before achieved on a liner. The man responsible for this successful idea was not Mr. Gibbs himself, but a Newport News Shipyard apprentice named Howard E. Lee Jr., who, as a result of his experience with building and flying model airplanes, decided to apply the concept of ‘lift’ associated with airfoils to shipbuilding.
Top: images from the construction of the Big U's impressive funnels. Bottom: Howard E. Lee Jr. (on left) observes the smoke trail of the SS United States' funnels during a wind tunnel test.
Not only did the design of the SS United States' funnels serve to deflect engine exhaust away from passengers on deck, their angle lends the impression of motion and suggests a determination to race. The funnels are also asymmetrical, with the aft-most funnel marginally smaller than the fore-most. The proportions of the iconic painted stripes similarly differ: forward, the funnel is 75% red, 10% white and 15% blue; the aft-most funnel is 70.8% red, 11.7% white, and 17.5% blue.
Can't get enough of the SS United States? CLICK HERE to learn more about the vessel's innovative design.
While they remain in fantastic structural condition, the funnels of the SS United States have a weather-worn appearance at the vessel's current Philadelphia berth. Why doesn't the Conservancy repaint the funnels? CLICK HERE to find out.
Many passengers of the SS United States disembarked the ship with fond memories of meals enjoyed on board.
And it was for that reason that United States Lines published The Captain's Table — a recipe book featuring favorite dishes served aboard the Big U and her older sister, the SS America.
A page from The Captain's Table, published by United States Lines. Donated by Kingston Winget.
Whenever we have posted about this beloved, yet long-out-of-print tome on our social media accounts, we have received requests from supporters who would like to see a new edition of the recipe book published.
As any author or publisher will attest, printing and distributing a physical book is quite an undertaking. For now, we're planning to do the next thing by regularly sharing recipes with you on our blog!
We recently added to our collection of recipes from the SS United States — thanks to a very generous donation from Robert Scofield, in honor of Michael Persico. Michael had collected a number of typewritten recipes from the ship's early files, many requested by grateful passengers. We are so grateful for this recent archival donation, and are excited to share the images with you in the weeks ahead.
Each dish we'll be sharing was crafted and prepared by none other than the Big U's master chef, Otto Bismarck. The selections are representative of the fine dining enjoyed by passengers of the SS United States in her heyday, clearly detailed and explained so that you can prepared them in your own kitchen.
We're kicking off this new series with a delicious two-course meal featuring chef Otto Bismarck's signature "Lobster A L'United States" and a mocha parfait for dessert. Bon appétit!
Images donated by Robert Scofield, in honor of Michael Persico.
Do you remember any meals you enjoyed aboard the SS United States? Share them, along with any other memories of your time aboard America’s Flagship, by sending an email to archives@ssusc.org.
Help us keep the memories of the Big U alive for future generations by making a one-time or recurring donation.
