SS United States#Propulsion

SS United States was designed by William Gibbs. When Gibbs was eight years old in 1894, he watched the launching of SS St. Louis and became enamored with ships and dreamed of a massive, grand American ship to surpass all others.{{cite book |last=Ujifusa |first=Steven|author-link=Steven Ujifusa |title=A Man and his Ship |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4516-4507-1 |location=New York |page=}}{{Rp|pages=17, 18}}

As an adult, Gibbs' first project was to lead the redesign and reconstruction of the ocean liner Leviathan, the largest ship in the world and an American war prize following World War I. Once complete, his skill was appreciated by the government, media, and other architects; groups such as the Pacific Marine Review referred to him as "America's foremost naval architect".{{Rp|pages=84-85}}{{Cite book |last1=Pacific American Steamship Association |url=https://archive.org/details/pacificmarinerev2326paci/page/n7/mode/2up?q=transport |title=Pacific marine review |last2=Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |publisher=San Francisco, Calif. : J.S. Hines |others=San Francisco Public Library}}{{Rp|page=160}}

The first ship purely of Gibb's design was SS Malolo, a luxury liner for the Pacific Ocean. During her sea trials, the ship was struck amidship by a freighter, ripping a massive hole into Malolo{{'s}} engine room. The damage was so severe the former Chief of US Navy Construction and Gibb's mentor David Taylor thought the ship would immediately sink, much like the RMS Empress of Ireland did in similar circumstances. The ship stayed afloat with little damage and few casualties; this success was credited to Gibb's meticulous designs, further increasing his fame.{{Rp|page=200}}{{Rp|pages=118-123, 202}}

Gibbs' work put him in contact with American officials, to whom he pitched his idea for a massive, American-flagged liner. By 1936, the US government was planning to replace the aging Leviathan so a new vessel could operate as a passenger liner during peacetime and as a troop transport during war. Although not the massive ocean liner Gibbs had envisioned, he was selected to design the new ship, which became the SS America.{{Rp|pages=85-86, 169}}

At the end of the Second World War, Gibbs and his company had designed more than 70% of all American ships used during the conflict, and Gibbs was at the height of his career. He believed it was time to realize his vision of an American superliner.{{Rp|page=202}}

File:William Francis Gibbs.jpg

During the Second World War, many ocean liners, including Normandie and Queen Mary, were seized or requisitioned by governments and used to transport soldiers between fronts. In 1945, the US Maritime Commission requested designs for a ship that could handle that role for future conflicts. Gibbs submitted a design of his decades-old vision, which eventually won the contract.{{Rp|page=186, 203}}

The most-promising use of the liner in war would have been as a troop transport. If mobilized, onboard furnishings could easily be removed to make room for a 14,400-man US Army division. The ship's size and speed meant she could rapidly deploy a division anywhere in the world without needing to refuel.{{Rp|page=12}}{{Rp|page=215}}

{{Main article|Revolt of the Admirals#Cancellation of USS United States}}

File:The keel plate of USS United States (CVA-58) being laid in a construction dry dock on 18 April 1948.jpg at Newport News Shipbuilding, which was dismantled to allow for construction of the ocean liner]]

Following the end of the Second World War, the newly formed US Department of Defense was divided about its policy in the nuclear age. There was controversy around the supercarrier USS United States (CVA-58), which was canceled after her keel was laid. The shipyard, looking for a project to fill the void left by the Navy, agreed to dismantle the aircraft carrier and build an ocean liner with, coincidentally, the same name, in the same dry dock,{{Cite book |last=Ujifusa |first=Steven |title=A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4516-4509-5 |pages=232-235, 240-241}}{{Cite web |title=H-0178-1 The Revolt of the Admirals |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-078/h-078-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301112434/https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-078/h-078-1.html |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |language=en-US}} allowing her keel to be laid on 8 February, 1950. The circumstance saw United States become the first ocean liner to be built in a dry dock, accelerating her construction because parts of the ship could be prefabricated.{{cite journal |last=Dempewolff |first=Richard F. |date=June 1952 |title=America Bids for the Atlantic Blue Ribbon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA81 |journal=Popular Mechanics |pages=81–87, 252, 254 |issn=0032-4558 |access-date=2012-09-22}}{{Rp|page=100}}

Another major issue facing the Navy was its reduction of transport capabilities following the war. After the Inchon Landings during the Korean War, the Department of Defense realized it lacked troop-transport capacity and requisitioned the one-third-completed United States to quickly and cheaply fill part of the deficit. Under Navy control, stateroom bathrooms were to be stripped and large spaces divided to make room for gun mounts, wardrooms, more lifeboats, and equipment required to support the enlarged passenger count.{{Rp|page=240}}

United States was requisitioned under Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, who believed it was cheaper and easier to convert an existing vessel than to build a new one. Days after the announcement was made, the secretary was relieved and replaced by George Marshall. After meeting with the chairman of the Maritime Administration, Marshall believed converting United States would take too long to be of any use during the Korean War. A month after her requisitioning was announced, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reversed the decision and returned the ship to previously scheduled civilian work.{{Rp|page=241}}

United States was christened and launched on 23 June 1951,{{Rp|page=100}} sponsored by Lucile Connally, wife of U.S. Senator Tom Connally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wearetheunitedstates.org/single-post/2018/06/23/video-christening-ss-united-states-newsreel|title=WATCH: The Christening of America's Greatest Ocean Liner, the SS United States|website=SS United States Conservancy|date=June 23, 2018 }} Her construction was a joint effort by the United States Navy and United States Lines (USL), and was broken into two parts. The cost of construction was split; USL contributed $25 million and the US government $20 million. The government also paid another $25 million for the incorporation of "national defense features" into her design, which brought her cost to $71.08 million, even though the ship itself cost only $44.4 million. {{Rp|page=227}}

The ship's power plant was developed in unusual cooperation with the Navy, leading to a militarized design. The ship never used US Navy equipment; the designers opted for civilian variants of military models. The engine room arrangement was similar to that of large warships such as the Forrestal-class aircraft carriers, with isolated engineering spaces, and redundancies and backups in onboard systems.{{Rp|pages=129, 141}}

In normal service, the ship could theoretically generate {{convert|310000|lb}} of steam per hour, at {{convert|925|psi|MPa}} and {{convert|975|F|C}}, using eight US Navy-type M-type boilers; however, they were operated at 54% of their capacity. The boilers were divided among two engine rooms, four in each. Babcock & Wilcox designed the ship's boilers and manufactured those in the forward engine room; the other boilers were made by Foster Wheeler and were located aft.{{Rp|pages=129, 132}}

File:Colorful SS United States.jpg

Steam from the boilers turned four Westinghouse double-reduction geared turbines, each one connected to a drive shaft. Each turbine could generate approximately 60,000 shaft horsepower (shp), or 240,000 shp total. If at flank speed, initial designs estimated 266,800 shp from {{convert|1100|F|C}} steam at {{convert|1145|psi|MPa}} could be generated.{{Rp|pages=17, 134}}

The turbines turned four shafts, each of which rotated a propeller {{convert|18|ft|m|abbr=off}} in diameter. Owing to the designers' previous military experience, each propeller was made to efficiently rotate in either direction, allowing the ship to efficiently move forward or backwards, and to limit cavitation and vibrations. The two inboard propellers were five-bladed—a key secret of the design—and the outboard two had four. This aspect was one of the concepts that allowed the ship to achieve high speeds.{{Rp|pages=138–139}}

The primary purpose of a ship's funnels is to ventilate the vessel's engine rooms, allowing exhaust to escape. Gibbs believed funnels also create a unique and iconic character for the ship and her owners. To create an unforgettable silhouette, Gibbs had the liner topped with two massive, red-white-and-blue, tear-drop-shaped funnels located midship. Standing at {{Convert|55|ft|m}} tall and {{Convert|60|ft|m}} wide, they were the largest funnels ever put to sea.{{Rp|pages=246–248}}

File:1951_SS_United_States_Travel_Poster_by_Lester_Thomas_Beall_(1).jpg

The funnel design was a pinnacle of Gibb's experience from designing the Leviathan, America, and Santa-class liners. To prevent soot from coating the deck and passengers, horizontal fins on each side of the funnels deflected funnel exhaust away from the ship. During the retrofit of the Leviathan decades earlier, it was discovered her tall funnels compromised the vessel's stability. To avoid this issue on United States, Gibbs decided the funnels and the superstructure would made out of lightweight aluminum to prevent the ship from becoming top-heavy and at risk of capsizing. At the time, United States was the world's largest aluminum construction project and the first major application of aluminum on a ship.{{Rp|pages=246–248}}

The main disadvantage in making the funnels and superstructure out of aluminum was the metal's difficulty to mold and handle compared to more conventional metals, making the funnels' fabrication the most complex part of the ship's construction. Special care was needed to prevent galvanic corrosion of the aluminum when it was welded to the steel decking. The laborious process antagonized shipyard workers but no problems arose during construction and it continued as planned.{{Rp|pages=246–248}}

The maximum speed attained by United States is disputed and was once held as a military secret,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wOfaAgAAQBAJ&q=SS+United+States+speed+secret&pg=PA72 |title=Aluminum Dreams: The Making of Light Modernity |author=Mimi Sheller |date=2014 |publisher=MIT Press |page=72 |isbn=978-0-262-02682-6}} and complicated by the alleged leak of a top speed of {{cvt|43|kn}} the ship attained after her first speed trial.{{cite journal |title=How fast did it go |journal=Nautilus |publisher=University of Michigan Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department |volume=25 |page=8}} The New York Times reported in 1968 the ship could make {{cvt|42|kn}} at a maximum power output of {{cvt|240000|hp}}.{{cite news|last1=Horne|first1=George|title=Secrets of the Liner United States|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/08/16/90668695.html?pageNumber=35|access-date=16 February 2023|work=The New York Times|date=16 August 1968|page=35|url-access=subscription|quote=The decision to unclassify the superior military qualities of the big ship revealed, among other things, that her propulsion plants developed 240,000 horsepower – nearly 100,000 horses more than the world's biggest liners – and that she could make 42 knots, or better than 48 land-miles an hour.}} Other sources, including a paper by John J. McMullen & Associates, placed the ship's highest-possible sustained speed at {{cvt|35|kn}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.ccdott.org/hss_volume2/05_high_speed_hulls_&_propulsors.pdf |title=Hull Form and Propulsor Technology for High Speed Sealift |editor-last=McKesson |editor-first=Chris B. |date=February 13, 1998 |publisher=John J. McMullen Associates, Inc |pages=13–14 |access-date=2009-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051213084350/http://www.ccdott.org/hss_volume2/05_high_speed_hulls_%26_propulsors.pdf |archive-date=December 13, 2005 |df=mdy-all}} The liner's top achieved speed was later revealed to be {{cvt|38.32|kn}}, which she achieved during a full-power trial run on June 10, 1952.{{Cite journal |last=Kane |first=John R. |date=1978-04-01 |title=The Speed of the SS United States |url=https://onepetro.org/MTSN/article/15/02/119/176570/The-Speed-of-the-SS-United-States |journal=Marine Technology and SNAME News |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=119–143 |doi=10.5957/mt1.1978.15.2.119 |issn=0025-3316}}{{Cite book |last1=Braynard |first1=Frank |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h3OlfC6LtrkC&pg=PA61 |title=S.S. United States |last2=Westover |first2=Robert Hudson |date=2002 |publisher=Turner Publishing Company |isbn=978-1-56311-824-1 |page=61}}

File:Steamship Morro Castle Burned out hulk.jpg, whose loss influenced strict fire safety on United States]]

Dorothy Marckwald and Anne Urquhart, who also designed the interiors for America, designed the interiors for United States. Their goal was to "create a modern fresh contemporary look that emphasized simplicity over palatial, [with] restrained elegance over glitz and glitter".{{Cite web |title=The great lady ship decorators {{!}} S.S. American, S.S. United States sailing on the 'All American' team to Europe |url=http://united-states-lines.org/interior-designpictures-2/ |access-date=2021-05-06|website=united-states-lines.org |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506025827/http://united-states-lines.org/interior-designpictures-2/ }}{{Cite web |title=S.S. United States |url=https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF038383/00001/thumbs |access-date=2021-05-15 |website=digital.wolfsonian.org |language=en}} Marckwald and Urquhart also wanted to replicate the smooth lines seen on the exterior and to visualize the ship's speed.{{Rp|page=93}}

To achieve the aesthetic, the liner was furnished with mid-century modern decor that was amplified by plentiful use of black linoleum decking and the silver lining of edges. While visually unique compared to her competition, the simplicity of decorations compared to the expected grandeur of ocean liners saw the interiors described by those accustomed to the older style as what would be found on a "navy transport".{{Rp|page=93}}

Interior décor included a children's playroom that was designed by Edward Meshekoff,{{cite news |last1=Dunlap |first1=David |date=9 March 2016 |title=Beloved Anachronisms, Times Square Mosaics of the City May Be Preserved |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/10/nyregion/beloved-anachronisms-times-square-mosaics-of-the-city-may-be-preserved.html |access-date=10 March 2016}} who was also tasked with creating interiors that were completely fireproof. This caused an exceptional difficulty when selecting materials, such as those for usually flammable items such as drapes or carpet.{{Rp|page=93}}

As a result of maritime disasters involving fire, including {{SS|Morro Castle|1930|6}} and {{SS|Normandie}}, William Gibbs specified the ship must be fully fireproof, which further compounded his history with safety and attention to detail.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ssusc.org/history-design-launch|title=History: Design & Launch – SS United States Conservancy}}{{cite book |author=Steven Ujifusa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H6KB4q7M938C&q=SS+United+States+Charles+Gilbert&pg=PA252 |title=A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States |date=2013 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4516-4509-5 |page=252}}

To minimize the risk of flames, the designers of United States proscribed the use of wood in the ship, aside from the galley's wooden butcher's block. Fittings, including furniture and fabrics, were custom made in glass, metal, and fiberglass to ensure compliance with the US Navy's fireproofing guidelines. Asbestos-laden paneling was extensively used in interior structures and many small items were made of aluminum. The ballroom's grand piano was originally designed to be aluminum but was made from mahogany and accepted only after a demonstration in which gasoline was poured upon the wood and ignited, without the wood catching fire.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/steinway-baby-grand-piano-from-americas-flagship-now-on-public-display |title=Steinway Baby Grand Piano from America's Flagship Now on Public Display |website=SS United States Conservancy|date=January 29, 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/ss-united-states-saved-perhaps-to-sail-once-more|title=SS United States Saved, Perhaps to Sail Once More|website=The Maritime Executive}}

To create the onboard art, the artists Hildreth Meière and Austin Purves consulted Marckwald. The artists' goals were to give the ship a unique character that was detached from any single art style. Because the ship was going to serve as a floating icon of the US, it was decided her character would reflect the country. This was achieved by theming spaces around an aspect of the United States, such as the Mississippi River, Native Americans, or American fauna.{{Cite web |title=Ocean Liners: S.S. United States: Cabin class lounge wall map – International Hildreth Meière Association Inc. |url=https://www.hildrethmeiere.org/commissions/ss-united-states |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=www.hildrethmeiere.org |language=en}}

The liner was decorated with hundreds of unique art pieces, including sculptures, relief murals, and paintings. Aluminum was commonly incorporated into the artworks, allowing pieces to be light and fireproof, and to match the black-and-silver theme. For instance, nearly 200 aluminum sculptures were used in the first-class stairway, with a large eagle and each state's bird and flower emblems on the landing of each deck.{{Rp|page=93}}

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21870.jpg|alt=An onboard stairway, with an aluminum sculpture of the Great Seal of the United States on each landing.: 93|An onboard stairway, with an aluminum sculpture of the Great Seal of the United States on each landing.{{Rp|page=93}}

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21871.jpg|alt=The grand ballroom, containing the piano and a dance floor. The space was reserved for first-class passengers.: 60|The grand ballroom, containing the piano and a dance floor. The space was reserved for first-class passengers.{{Rp|page=60}}

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21882.jpg|A passenger hallway whose lack of decoration was described as having decor compared to that of a warship.

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21872.jpg|A landing showing the ship's motif of black linoleum flooring and silver lining.

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21874.jpg|The Cabin-class lounge with Hildreth Meière's mural Mississippi in the background.

File:S.S. United States. LOC gsc.5a21876.tif|First-class cabin U 141, showing mid-century modern furnishings and the lack of detail common throughout the ship. Not shown is the cabin's private bath.{{Cite book |title=S.S. United States Miniature Deck Plan |publisher=United States Lines}}

Gibbs' design incorporated a conventional, three-tiered class system for passengers, replicating those found on other classical ocean liners. Each class was segregated, having its own dining rooms, bars, public spaces, services, and recreation areas. Gibbs envisioned having passengers enforce the separation, only intermingling in the gymnasium, swimming pool, and theater.{{Cite book |last=Rindfleisch |first=James |title=SS United States: An Operational Guide to America's Flagship |publisher=Schiffer |isbn=978-0-7643-6655-0 |location=Atglen, Pennsylvania |date=2023 |pages=}}{{Rp|page=70}} The stark and physical class separations, an idea associated with the Old World, contrasted with the overall American theme of the ocean liner; the United States was often seen as a nation that was removed from the old money and class segregation of the Old World.

At maximum capacity, United States could have carried 894 first, 524 cabin, and 554 tourist-class passengers.{{Rp|page=16}} During a standard season, the cost of a first-class ticket would start at $350 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=350|start_year=1954|fmt=c}} in 2024), a cabin ticket $220 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=220|start_year=1954|fmt=c}}), and a tourist ticket $165 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=165|start_year=1954|fmt=c}}).{{Cite book |last=Maxtone-Graham |first=John |url= |title=SS United States: Red, White & Blue Ribband, Forever |date=2014 |publisher=New York : W. W. Norton & Company |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-393-24170-9 |page=}}{{Rp|page=138}}

{{External media|title=Tour of first-class spaces in current status|video1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYRofcGzi2w|video2=}}

First-class passengers were entitled to the best services and locations the ship had to offer, including the grand ballroom, the smoking room, first-class dining room and restaurants, observation lounge, main foyer, grand staircase, and promenades. Most of these facilities were located midship, distant from the vibrations and distractions of the engines and the outside.{{Rp|pages=59, 64}}

The liner's famous passengers favored first class due to its prestige, priority service, and spacious cabins. The Duck Suite, which was popularized by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, was the ship's best-known stateroom. It was created by combining three first-class staterooms into a single suite containing four beds, three bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a living room. The name came from the walls, which were decorated with paintings of waterfowl. Up to 14 similar suites could be created in a similar way, establishing a level of stateroom above that of a standard first-class ticket.{{Rp|pages=59, 64}} Tickets for the two-bedroom suites started at $930 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=930|start_year=1954|fmt=c}}); these were aimed at the wealthiest passengers on board. Much like the Duck Suite, these rooms reflected a post-war American standard of living, lacking in intricate details and adorned with natural scenes. All suites were spacious and equipped with dimmed lights, which were not seen on any other vessels.{{Rp|page=262}}

Cabin class was aimed toward the American middle classes, striking a key balance between the affordability of tourist and the elegance of first class. Each cabin had four beds and a private bathroom, and were located primarily aft. While inferior to first class, passengers received service and had access to amenities that were historically reserved for the highest class on other ocean liners.{{Rp|pages=66–67}}The food, pool, and theater were shared with first-class passengers, making cabin class ideal for those who wanted the first-class experience without paying first-class rates.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=A Three Class Ship – United States Lines & The Heydays of Trans-Atlantic Travel |url=https://united-states-lines.org/a-three-class-ship/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=united-states-lines.org |language=en-US}}

Tourist class was aimed at those who were unable or unwilling to spend much on a ticket; it was often booked by migrants and students. Cheapest of all tickets, tourist-class cabins were located at the peripheries of the ship, where rocking and noise were most pronounced. These small cabins were shared among passengers, each room containing two bunk beds and simply furnished with little detail. Communal bathrooms were shared with all tourist-class passengers in the same passage. Service from the crew was lacking compared to the other classes, as tourist-class passengers received the lowest priority. While equivalent to the steerage or third-class on other vessels, these poorest conditions on United States were noticeably better than what was offered on other vessels.{{Rp|pages=68, 70}}

United States made her maiden voyage from July 3 to 7, 1952, and broke the eastbound-transatlantic speed record that had been held by {{RMS|Queen Mary}} for the previous 14 years by more than 10 hours, making the crossing from the Ambrose lightship at New York Harbor to Bishop Rock off Cornwall, UK, in three days, ten hours, and 40 minutes at an average speed of {{cvt|35.59|kn}},{{cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Larry |title=The Race for the Blue Riband |url=http://united-states-lines.org:80/luxury%20liner%20row.htm |date=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530224727/http://united-states-lines.org/luxury%20liner%20row.htm |archive-date=May 30, 2009 |access-date=March 3, 2018 |df=mdy-all}} winning the coveted Blue Riband.{{cite news |url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS101928680&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title=Atlantic Riband for America |work=The Times |location=London |date=8 July 1952 |page=6 |issn=0140-0460 |via=The Times Digital Archive |access-date=27 April 2017}} On her return voyage United States also broke the westbound-transatlantic speed record, which was also held by Queen Mary, by returning to America in three days, twelve hours, and twelve minutes at an average speed of {{cvt|34.51|kn}}. In New York City, her owners were awarded the Hales Trophy, the tangible expression of the Blue Riband competition.{{cite book |last=NY Times |title=Ship speed trophy is presented here |date=13 November 1952}}

File:SS United States on maiden voyage from Southampton.jpg during her return maiden voyage to New York, summer 1952]]

The ship's return to the United States was marked with celebration as she was escorted into New York City by bands, helicopters, and small boats, and was met by a crowd of thousands. As a public symbol of the Blue Riband, a long, blue flag was flown from her radar mast as she approached. Many people noticed her fresh hull paint had worn off, apparently due to the high speeds at which she traveled.{{Cite news |date=16 July 1952 |title=Port Hails the United States as New Speed Queen |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/07/16/issue.html |work=New York Times |pages=1, 6}} Her crew was officially welcomed to the city several days later with a Ticker-tape parade, escorted by more than 2,000 people and greeted by a crowd of 150,000. The centerpiece of the event was the liner's captain, Commodore Harry Manning, who is one of the few people to receive a Ticker-tape parade twice after his 1929 rescue of crewmembers from the cargo ship Florida.{{Cite news |title=MANNING AND CREW GET RAINY GREETING; Real Shower Adds to Ticker Tape Kind in City Welcome to the Superliner's Men 5 CADETS WILT IN HEAT 150,000 Pay Tribute as Mayor Bestows Honor Medal on the United States' Skipper |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/07/19/84335108.html?pageNumber=17 |access-date=2024-11-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en |issn=0362-4331}}

The record was not a reflection of the ship's actual operational speed. Prior to her voyage, many expected a race between United States and the British vessel Queen Elizabeth for national pride over the Blue Riband. In 1951, Gibbs instructed the crew to "[not] beat the record by very much. Beat it by a reasonable amount, such as 32 knots." He hoped Cunard Line, which operated Queen Elizabeth, would then develop a slightly faster ship and United States would then break the intentionally low record, sailing at a much higher speed.{{Cite journal |last=Driscoll |first=Larry |date=Summer 2011 |title=SS United States: The Last Speed Queen of the Merchant Marine |journal=PowerShips}}

United States{{'}} record-breaking speed was also held back by safety concerns. The line understood the crew was still inexperienced with the new ship, and ordered them to not take unnecessary risks with extravagant speeds. The memory of the sinking of RMS Titanic influenced USL's caution, an issue personal to several of its leaders. CEO John Franklin was son of White Star Line's office manager Philip Franklin during the Titanic disaster, and the company director Vincent Astor lost his father John Jacob Astor on that ship. Franklin was so concerned about a potential accident he had written and sealed a message that was only to be made public if there was a disaster during United States{{'}} maiden voyage.

For her regular service, the ship operated at her operational speed of about {{convert|30|to|32|knots|abbr=out}} so the ship could maintain a schedule of five-night crossings. During the 1950s, United States was popular for transatlantic travel, sailing between New York, Southampton, and Le Havre, with an occasional additional call at Bremerhaven.{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=William H. |title=SS United States: Ship of Power, Might, and Indecision |date=2022 |publisher=Fonthill |location=Stroud |isbn=978-1-62545-115-6 |page=159 (online) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d0BpEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT59}} She attracted frequent, repeat, celebrity passengers such as Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Salvador Dalí, Duke Ellington, and Walt Disney, who featured the ship in the 1962 film Bon Voyage!.{{Cite web |title=The Tennessean |url=https://www.tennessean.com/restricted/?return=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2021/07/23/ss-united-states-now-docked-pennsylvania-needs-help/7969767002/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.tennessean.com}} An unrecognized celebrity on the ship was Claude Jones, a trombonist who had performed with Ellington; he worked as part of the waitstaff and died on board in 1962.{{cite book |title=The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=1992 |publisher=Guinness Publishing |isbn=0-85112-939-0 |editor=Colin Larkin |edition=First |page=xx}}

United States proved exceedingly successful and was the most-popular liner in the North Atlantic, and her fame provided her with a reliable clientele. United States Lines (USL) began drafting plans to create a "running mate" for the ship. Much as did Cunard Line with its liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, the idea was to operate two liners in tandem with each other. In 1958, this idea evolved into a plan to build the SS President Washington, a superliner with a very similar design to United States. President Washington was planned to replace the aging USL liner America, and was to operate on the American West Coast and sail the Pacific. The idea was never realized because the US Congress did not allocate any funds to the project.{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=William H. |url=http://archive.org/details/ssunitedstatesst0000mill |title=SS United States: the story of America's greatest ocean liner |date=1991 |publisher=New York : W.W. Norton |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-393-03030-3}}{{Rp|pages=169–170}}

File:SS United States 1969 ad.jpg

In 1957, for the first time ever, piston-powered aircraft carried more passengers across the Atlantic than did ocean liners. This trend escalated as the advent of jet-propelled airliners provided trans-Atlantic routes that were only hours long, compared to days on the fastest ocean liners. The competition threatened to redirect the customers of USL and other shipping conglomerates, although the economic threat of aircraft was initially dismissed as a fad.{{Rp|pages=167–169}}

Throughout the 1960s, the liner's reputation was permanently altered during strikes by the Masters, Mates, and Pilots Union that forced the cancellation of voyages and the reassignment of passengers. A ticket no longer guaranteed a trip aboard, and passengers and the company began to tire of the unreliable service.{{Rp|page=170}}

The cancellations and competition from airlines slowly drew away customers. In 1960, USL refused to release a yearly passenger count because it had become so low. The issue further compounded in 1961, when the US Department of Commerce announced United States would no longer be used to carry US military personnel or their families. It was believed liners were "sitting ducks for Soviet bombers" and that air transport was a better option. The loss of the contract was a major blow to the company and the stark decline in passenger numbers meant change was needed.{{Rp|page=171}}

To increase ticket sales, USL planned to convert the liner America to a cruise ship, ending trans-Atlantic service for vacation destinations around North America. Similar plans were drafted for United States, which would operate as a cruise ship during the less-busy winter season. The ship's cabin-class lounge would be replaced by a swimming pool and every stateroom would be fitted with a bathroom to attract vacationers. The cash-strapped company was wary of new projects and soon abandoned the idea because the refit was priced at $15 million. The new corporate strategy was to develop a major advertising campaign that was aimed at reinventing the allure of ocean liners in the age of jet aircraft by promoting the ship's speed, luxury, reputation, or another aspect of United States.{{Rp|page=171}}

By 1961, conditions had not improved. For the first time, a voyage was canceled because only 350 people bought tickets. The US Government was subsidizing USL under the condition trans-Atlantic service must be maintained regardless of its profitability; this rule was repealed after pressure from the company. With USL now able to set unique itineraries, and hoping to exploit a new market, United States made her first cruises in the Caribbean the next year. Cruises sailed from New York and docked in Nassau, St. Thomas, Trinidad, Curaçao, and Cristobal. United States was the largest ship in the region and operated with a temporary pool on her aft deck and no tourist-class passengers.{{Rp|page=|pages=172–173}}

Despite the new itinerary, United States was the most expensive liner to operate and was losing passengers to newer ships such as SS France. By 1963, anxiety about United States{{'}} future reached crew members and corporate leaders, many of whom unsure how long the ship would be left in service. Two years later, another strike forced the cancellation of all summer voyages, losing the ship 9,000 passengers and the company $3 million.{{Rp|page=178–179}}

In 1968, the Atlantic liner routes were declining, with only United States, France, and Queen Elizabeth conducting sailings. To distinguish herself from the competition, United States began offering much-longer voyages to distant ports in Europe, Africa, and South America. She again became the most-popular ship in the Atlantic. In 1968, USL was bought by Walter Kidd & Co, who believed the age of ocean liners had passed. Exacerbating matters, US government subsidies for the ship were curtailed because there were insufficient passenger numbers to justify the cost.{{Rp|pages=175–177}}

Throughout her service, United States regularly brought in between $16 million and $20 million but her expenses grew from an initial $18 million to $26 million. In one of her first years of operation, the ship made USL a profit of $3 million; in 1960, she began running at a $2 million loss, and by the 1968 fiscal year, she cost the company $4 million despite stable revenue.{{Cite book |last=Harrison |first=Michael |title=Historic American Engineering Record SS United States HAER No. PA-647 |publisher=Historic American Engineering Record |year=2012 |page=12}}

Due to strike-related costs, increasing union dues, decreasing government subsidies, a rise in alleged corporate mismanagement, and general passenger disinterest, United States was due for retirement. On 25 October 1969, United States returned from her 400th voyage and was ordered to start a scheduled yearly overhaul in Newport News early. This move canceled a planned 21-day cruise, although bookings for future voyages were still being made.{{Rp|pages=178–179}}

While at Newport News for a scheduled annual overhaul, USL announced United States was being withdrawn from service on November 11. In November of 1969, it was hermetically sealed and dehumidified by the United States Navy, to ensure a minimum of degradation. Through the long idle years it remained in remarkably good condition. {{Cite web |date=2013-03-04 |title=SS UNITED STATES The Turkish Years: What Might Have Been by Shawn Dake {{!}} MaritimeMatters {{!}} Cruise ship news and ocean liner history |url=http://maritimematters.com/2013/02/s-s-united-states-the-turkish-years-1992-1996-what-might-have-been/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304082155/http://maritimematters.com/2013/02/s-s-united-states-the-turkish-years-1992-1996-what-might-have-been/ |archive-date=March 4, 2013 }} When the ship was sealed, with all furniture, fittings, and crew uniforms left in place. Her funnels were left half-painted when work suddenly halted, which can still be seen today. While many saw the ship's layup as inevitable, the decision came as a shock to passengers and crew. With no warning, newly unemployed crewmembers had only days to finalize work while passengers' awaiting baggage was loaded onto Leonardo da Vinci for a new cruise.{{Rp|pages=184–185}} At the time of her withdrawal, United States had made 800 transatlantic crossings (400 round trips), steamed {{convert|2,772,840|nmi|abbr=out}}, and carried 1,025,691 passengers.{{cite web | url=https://totalnavy.com/ssunitedstates.htm | title=SS United States }}

In June 1970, United States was moved across the James River to the Norfolk International Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1973, USL transferred ownership of the vessel to the United States Maritime Administration. In 1976, Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Line (NCL) was reported to be interested in purchasing the ship and converting her into a Caribbean cruise ship but the US Maritime Administration refused the sale due to the classified nature of the ship's naval design elements, forcing NCL to purchase the former France instead. The Navy declassified the ship's design features in 1977.

The same year, a group headed by Harry Katz sought to purchase the ship and dock her in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for use as a hotel and casino, but the plan was never realized.{{cite news |title=Times Daily |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19770721&id=ZhcsAAAAIBAJ&pg=2245,3405463 |access-date=2016-02-04}} By 1978, the Maritime Administration deemed United States worthless to the government and allowed her to be sold.{{Rp|page=363}}

However, a recently discovered document from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) disputes the widely accepted events of the 1970s which are portrayed above. In particular, the belief that classified design features hampered the sale of the ship to interested parties. According to the GAO, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) attempted to sell or charter the ship to private parties immediately upon taking possession in February, 1973.{{Cite web |last=Office |first=U. S. Government Accountability |title=B-193086, FEBRUARY 28, 1979 {{!}} U.S. GAO |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/b-193086 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.gao.gov |language=en}}

At first, "The S.S. United States was offered for sale to United States citizens for operation under the American Flag," according to the GOA document. Auctions were conducted with opening bids of $12.1 million and later $7.5 million. Although some parties apparently expressed interest during these early auctions, all bids were disqualified for failing to be accompanied by a 10% deposit.{{Cite web |last=Office |first=U. S. Government Accountability |title=B-193086, FEBRUARY 28, 1979 {{!}} U.S. GAO |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/b-193086 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.gao.gov |language=en}}

After three unsuccessful auctions to sell the ship between 1973 and 1975, the rule regarding potential buyer's use of the ship was expanded in 1976 "... to allow the sale of the S.S. United States for use as a floating hotel in or on the navigable waters of the United States." Two more auctions (in 1976 and 1978) were conducted under the new terms and with a new, lower opening bid of $5 million. As with previous auctions, no bids were accompanied by a 10% deposit, so there was no sale.{{Cite web |last=Office |first=U. S. Government Accountability |title=B-193086, FEBRUARY 28, 1979 {{!}} U.S. GAO |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/b-193086 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.gao.gov |language=en}}

The eventual buyer of the ship, United States Cruise Lines, headed by Richard Hadley, made a deal with MARAD to purchase the ship in September 1978 outside of the typical auction process. Another interested party, Sea Containers, was angry at what it felt was a clandestine sale of the ship and filed a complaint. The GAO found Sea Container's complaint to be without merit in a 1979 ruling and the sale to Hadley moved forward.{{Cite web |last=Office |first=U. S. Government Accountability |title=B-193086, FEBRUARY 28, 1979 {{!}} U.S. GAO |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/b-193086 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.gao.gov |language=en}}

By the 1970s, the US Navy had retired all of its hospital ships. The now-laid up United States was studied for potential conversion in 1983 because her size and speed would allow her to rapidly deploy to address any crisis around the world. Under the name USNS United States, it was planned she would have a capacity of about 1,600 hospital beds, be fitted with an aft helicopter deck, a bow vertical replenishment deck, and a refurbished interior that would have included up to 23 operating theaters and a full set of specialist rooms comparable to any major hospital on land. The plan was led by the Department of Defense and the ship was to be based in the Indian Ocean. The Navy believed the plan was too expensive and impractical, and chose to take no action on the matter.{{Rp|page=194–196}}

File:"United States" - Hampton Roads, 1989.jpg

In 1980, United States was sold for $7 million to a group headed by the Seattle developer Richard H. Hadley, who hoped to convert the liner into a floating condominium. Under Hadley's ownership, the ship was neglected and her interiors became ruined with rust.{{Rp|page=363}} In 1984, to pay creditors, the ship's fittings and furniture, which had been left in place since 1969, were sold at auction in Norfolk, Virginia. The auction took place between October 8 and 14, 1984; about 3,000 bidders paid $1.65 million for objects from the ship.{{Cite news |last=Reif |first=Rita |date=1984-10-15 |title=S.S. United States Fans Buy Pieces of History at Ship Auction |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/15/us/ss-united-states-fans-buy-pieces-of-history-at-ship-auction.html |access-date=2021-05-06 |issn=0362-4331}}

On March 4, 1989, United States was towed across Hampton Roads to the CSX coal pier in Newport News.{{Cite book |last1=Braynard |first1=Frank |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h3OlfC6LtrkC&dq=%22ss+united+states%22+newport+news+1989&pg=PA165 |title=S.S. United States |last2=Westover |first2=Robert Hudson |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-56311-824-1 |page=165|publisher=Turner Publishing Company}} Hadley's plan of a time-share-style cruise ship failed financially and the ship, which the United States Marshals Service had seized, was put up for auction by the US Maritime Administration on April 27, 1992.

Kahraman Sadıkoğlu, a Turkish businessman who was a partner of Marmara Marine Inc, was interested in buying the vessel. He first saw her when a friend of his told him that she was to be auctioned off. But after the first auction was cancelled, he left empty-handed. He went for a second auction 2 months later, and he lost interest after it was also cancelled. While in New York, he was notified that a third auction took place and that his previous offer of $2.6 million was accepted.{{Cite web |last=Öndeş |first=Osman |date=2024-12-02 |title=Okyanusların en yüksek süratli Son Transatlantiği "SS United States" batırılmak üzere |url=https://www.denizcilikdergisi.com/yazarlar/osman-ondes/okyanuslarin-en-yuksek-suratli-son-transatlantigi-ss-united-states-batirilmak-uzere/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Denizcilik Dergisi |language=tr}}

The Turkish president, Turgut Özal, invited Sadıkoğlu to a business meeting at Athénée after hearing the news. During the meeting, he described the situation as: "There's a Turkish businessman amongst us tonight. First he bought the Savarona that was destined for scrapping and got it functioning again; and now he has bought the SS United States. This legendary ocean liner will be in the seas once again." {{Cite web |last=ÖNDEŞ |first=Osman |date=2023-06-15 |title=Dünya'nın Son Transatlantiği SS United States - Osman ÖNDEŞ |url=https://www.denizbulten.com/dunyanin-son-transatlantigi-ss-united-states-401yy.htm |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Deniz Bülten |language=tr}}

On the morning of 5 June, 1992, the ship was eased out of Newport News and departed under tow across the Atlantic for Turkey, arriving 35 days later. Sadıkoğlu and Özal welcomed the ship from the MV Savarona as the liner passed through the Dardanelles Strait for refurbishment at a shipyard in Tuzla, İstanbul.{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Pilot |date=2017-06-04 |title=A transatlantic tug for the SS United States – June 1992 |url=https://www-pilotonline-com.translate.goog/2017/06/04/a-transatlantic-tug-for-the-ss-united-states-june-1992/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=tr&_x_tr_hl=tr&_x_tr_pto=sc |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Daily News - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1241&dat=19920429&id=E0dTAAAAIBAJ&pg=4914,5905786 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=news.google.com}}

Upon her arrival, members of Greenpeace and the media protested the ship due to her asbestos interior lining, due to the material's nature as a carcinogen. After debate, it was agreed that the ship would first undergo asbestos removal in Ukraine. On 22 October 1993, she was towed to Sevastopol, Ukraine, and arrived on 1 November. Continued protests from Greenpeace and their flagship Rainbow Warrior continued.

While in Sevastopol, a 200-person team worked to gut down the ship's interiors to the bulkhead. Hundreds of tons of materials were offloaded onto the docks and scrapped. She was towed back to Turkey after the complete asbestos removal. By now, Marmara Marine Inc. had invested so much money on her asbestos problems that parts of the ship, such as the lifeboats, were sold off to pay the shipyard. When work was completed in 1996, the company was out of money.

The SS United States was seized by the US Marshals, as the owners of the previous company were unable to pay debtors. She was towed to the United States in 1996 and put up for auction. {{Cite web |date=2013-03-04 |title=SS UNITED STATES The Turkish Years: What Might Have Been by Shawn Dake {{!}} MaritimeMatters {{!}} Cruise ship news and ocean liner history |url=http://maritimematters.com/2013/02/s-s-united-states-the-turkish-years-1992-1996-what-might-have-been/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304082155/http://maritimematters.com/2013/02/s-s-united-states-the-turkish-years-1992-1996-what-might-have-been/ |archive-date=March 4, 2013 }}

In November 1997, Edward Cantor purchased United States for $6 million.{{cite web |title=S.S. United States, The Turkish Years 1992–1996: What Might Have Been |work=maritimematters.com |url=http://maritimematters.com/2013/02/s-s-united-states-the-turkish-years-1992-1996-what-might-have-been/}} Two years later, the SS United States Foundation and the SS United States Preservation Society, Inc. (which would later become the SS United States Conservancy) succeeded in having the ship placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2003, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) purchased the ship at auction from Cantor's estate after his death. NCL intended to restore the ship to service for NCL America, a newly announced, American-flagged, Hawaiian passenger service. United States was one of the few suitable ships for such service because of the Passenger Service Act, which requires any vessel that is engaged in domestic commerce to be built and flagged in the US, and operated by a mostly American crew.{{cite news |title=S.S. United States may get chance to relive glory days |first=Gerard |last=Deflitch |date=September 28, 2003 |url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_156463.html#axzz3HlbhFN9F |newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}} In late 2003, NCL began an extensive technical review that found the ship was in sound condition, and cataloged over 100 boxes of the ship's blueprints.{{cite web |title=Return of 'Big U' delayed by problems with Pride of America |url=http://www.professionalmariner.com/February-2007/Return-of-226-128-152Big-U-delayed-by-problems-with-Pride-of-America/ |website=professionalmariner.com |author=David Tyler |publisher=Navigator Publishing LLC |date=February 28, 2007 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030231006/http://www.professionalmariner.com/February-2007/Return-of-226-128-152Big-U-delayed-by-problems-with-Pride-of-America/ |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |url-status=live}} In August 2004, NCL commenced feasibility studies for retrofitting the vessel, and in 2006, company owner Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay stated United States would be retrofitted.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615222630/http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews.html |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |url=http://www.maritimematters.com:80/shipnews.html |title=Those Three Two Stackers |work=Maritime Matters |date=May 24, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |df=mdy-all}}

By 2009, NCL changed its plans for United States, which was costing the company about $800,000 yearly to keep afloat and was made redundant once {{Ship|2=Pride of America|4=2}}, {{Ship|2=Pride of Aloha|4=2}}, and {{Ship|2=Pride of Hawaii|4=2}} started operating for NCL America. The company began taking bids for the scrapping of United States.{{cite web |last=Niemelä |first=Teijo |date=February 11, 2009 |title=SS United States may be offered for sale |url=http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=214%3Ass-united-states-may-be-offered-for-sale&catid=43%3Alatest-news-catecory&Itemid=111 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184657/http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=214%3Ass-united-states-may-be-offered-for-sale&catid=43%3Alatest-news-catecory&Itemid=111 |archive-date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=2018-03-07 |work=Cruise Business Online |publisher=Cruise Media Oy Ltd}}{{cite web |date=February 10, 2009 |title=United States impending sale? |url=http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219132435/http://maritimematters.com/shipnews.html |archive-date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=2009-02-11 |work=Maritime Matters}}{{cite news |last=Ujifusa |first=Steven B. |date=2010-03-03 |title=SS United States now in grave peril |url=http://planphilly.com/ss-united-states-grave-peril |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307063256/http://planphilly.com/ss-united-states-grave-peril |archive-date=2010-03-07 |access-date=2020-01-17 |work=PlanPhilly}}

In 2009, the SS United States Conservancy was formed to save the ship by raising funds to purchase her.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706182200/http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/About.html |archive-date=July 6, 2010 |url=http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/About.html |title=Our History |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |access-date=2018-03-07}} On July 30, 2009, H. F. Lenfest, a Philadelphia media entrepreneur and philanthropist, pledged a matching grant of $300,000 to help the Conservancy purchase the vessel from NCL's parent company.{{cite news |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090730_Phila__philanthropist_to_aid_purchase_of_iconic_ship.html |title=Phila. philanthropist to aid purchase of iconic ship |access-date=2009-07-30 |last=Moran |first=Robert |date=July 30, 2009 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=Philadelphia Newspapers LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803091952/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090730_Phila__philanthropist_to_aid_purchase_of_iconic_ship.html |archive-date=August 3, 2009}} While Lenfest, a former US Navy captain, did not see the project as economically feasible, he was sympathetic to the ship because his father was one of the naval architects who helped build her.{{Rp|page=374}} The former US president Bill Clinton also endorsed efforts to save the ship, having sailed on her in 1968.{{cite web |title=Life and Times of the SS United States |url=http://www.ssunitedstates-film.com/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830164316/http://www.ssunitedstates-film.com/history.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 30, 2006 |access-date=2012-09-22 |work=The Big U: The Story of the SS United States |publisher=ssunitedstates-film.com}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324045944/http://www.ssunitedstatestrust.org/ |archive-date=March 24, 2010 |url=http://www.ssunitedstatestrust.org/ |title=SS United States: America's Ship of State |publisher=SS United States Trust |date=July 4, 2009 |access-date=2010-07-02}}

In November 2010, the Conservancy announced a plan to develop a "multi-purpose waterfront complex" with hotels, restaurants, and a casino along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia at the proposed location of the stalled Foxwoods Casino project. In December that year, a detailed study of the site was revealed in tandem with a plan for Harrah's Entertainment to take over the project. The deal collapsed later that month when the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to revoke the casino's license.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_a0410938-093d-11e0-ad91-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Gambling panel revokes license for proposed Foxwoods casino project in Philadelphia |access-date=2010-12-17 |last=Wittkowski |first=Donald |date=December 16, 2010 |work=The Press of Atlantic City |publisher=The Press of Atlantic City Media Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219212431/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_a0410938-093d-11e0-ad91-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=December 19, 2010 |df=mdy}}

File:SS United States Philly 2012-2.JPG

The Conservancy bought United States from NCL in February 2011 for a reported $3 million with Lenfest's assistance.{{cite web |author=Julie Shaw |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Is SS United States shipping out for New York? |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160129_SS_United_States_appears_bound_for_New_York_City.html |access-date=March 12, 2018 |publisher=Philly.com}} The group had funds to last 20 months that went to de-toxification and plans to make the ship financially independent, possibly as a hotel or other development project.{{cite news |last=Pesta |first=Jesse |date=July 1, 2010 |title=Famed Liner Steers Clear of Scrapyard |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704334604575339053837359296?mod=googlenews_wsj |access-date=2010-07-02}} {{subscription required|date=September 2010}}{{cite web |last=Cox |first=Martin |date=June 30, 2010 |title=Preservationists Perched To Buy SS United States |url=http://maritimematters.com/2010/06/preservationists-perched-to-buy-ss-united-states/ |access-date=2010-07-02 |work=Maritime Matters}} Conservancy executive director Dan McSweeney stated that possible locations for the ship included Philadelphia, New York City, and Miami.{{cite web |date=Fall 2010 |title=Powersips |url=http://sshsa.org/steamboat-bill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128234249/http://sshsa.org/steamboat-bill |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |access-date=2018-03-07 |publisher=Steamship Historical Society of America}}

On February 1, 2011 The Conservancy assumed ownership of United States.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/ss-united-states-purchased-58-million/story?id=12805918 |title=Save Our Ship: Passionate Preservationists Buy a National Treasure |work=ABC News |date=February 1, 2011 |first=John |last=Griffin | access-date = 2012-09-22}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311034621/http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2011/2/video-of-february-1-title-transfer-event/ |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url=http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2011/2/video-of-february-1-title-transfer-event/ |title=Video of February 1 Title Transfer Event |date=February 9, 2011 |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |access-date=2018-03-07}} Talks about a location for the ship lasted months. In New York City, negotiations with a developer for the ship to become part of Vision 2020, a $3.3 billion waterfront development, were underway. In Miami, Florida, Ocean Group International was interested in putting the ship in a slip on the north side of American Airlines Arena.{{cite web |url=http://maritimematters.com/2011/03/ss-united-states-in-miami |title=SS United States Latest |date=March 16, 2011 |first=Peter |last=Knego |work=Maritime Matters |access-date=2012-09-22}} With an additional $5.8 million donation from Lenfest, the Conservancy had about 18 months from March 2011 to convert United States into a public attraction. On August 5, 2011, the Conservancy announced after several studies, Philadelphia was "[n]ot likely to work there for a variety of reasons". Discussions to locate the ship at New York—her original home port—as a stationary attraction were ongoing.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002024102/http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2011/8/an-update-from-conservancy-executive-director-dan-mcsweeney/ |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |url=http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2011/8/an-update-from-conservancy-executive-director-dan-mcsweeney/ |title=An Update From Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney |date=August 5, 2011 |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |access-date=2018-03-07}}

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On February 7, 2012, preliminary restoration work to prepare the ship for a complete reconstruction began, although a contract had not yet been signed.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211031439/http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2012/2/work-begins-to-prepare-the-ss-united-states-for-future-redevelopment/ |archive-date=February 11, 2012 |url=http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/news/_/2012/2/work-begins-to-prepare-the-ss-united-states-for-future-redevelopment/ |title=Work Begins to Prepare the SS United States for Future Redevelopment |date=February 7, 2012 |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |access-date=2018-03-07}} In July 2012, the Conservancy launched a new online campaign called "Save the United States"; it used social networking and micro-fundraising that allowed donors to sponsor square inches of a virtual ship for redevelopment while allowing them to upload photographs and stories about their experience with the ship. The Conservancy announced donors to the virtual ship would be featured in an interactive "Wall of Honor" aboard the future SS United States museum.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ssusc.org/news/_/2012/7/new-online-campaign-launches-to-save-the-united-states/ |title=New Online Campaign Launches to Save the United States |access-date=2012-07-17 |date=July 11, 2012 |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716065356/http://www.ssusc.org/news/_/2012/7/new-online-campaign-launches-to-save-the-united-states/ |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://savetheunitedstates.org |title=Save the United States |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |access-date=2012-09-22}}

A developer that would put United States in a selected city by 2013 was to be chosen by the end of 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7055-ss-united-states-to-be-repurposed.html |title=SS United States To be "Repurposed" |publisher=Cruise Industry News |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=2012-09-22}} In November 2012, the ship underwent a months-long "below-the-deck" makeover to make her more appealing to developers as an attraction. The Conservancy was warned the ship may be scrapped if its plans were not quickly realized.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201033224/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ss-united-states-being-prepared-new-life |archive-date=December 1, 2013 |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ss-united-states-being-prepared-new-life |title=SS United States is being prepared for a new life |agency=Associated Press |date=November 28, 2013 |access-date=2018-03-07}} In January 2014, obsolete pieces of the ship were sold to pay the $80,000-a-month maintenance costs. Enough money to fund the ship for another six months was raised with the hope of finding someone committed to the project, with New York City remaining the likeliest location.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110093731/http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-06/news/45885447_1_william-francis-gibbs-ss-united-states-conservancy-pier-82 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-06/news/45885447_1_william-francis-gibbs-ss-united-states-conservancy-pier-82 |title=Will the SS United States find new life in 2014? |work=philly.com |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=2018-03-07}}

In August, the ship was still moored in Philadelphia and rent costs were $60,000 a month. It was estimated $1 billion would be needed to return United States to service, although a 2016 estimate for restoration as a luxury cruise ship placed the maximum cost at $700 million.{{Cite web |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2014/8/12/americaa-s-flagshipadmirersofssunitedstatessendansos.html |title=America's flagship: Admirers of SS United States send an S.O.S. |work=america.aljazeera.com |date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=2014-09-09}}{{Cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160208-ss-united-states-ocean-liner-cruise-ship-photos/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209094244/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160208-ss-united-states-ocean-liner-cruise-ship-photos/ |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |title=The World's Fastest Ocean Liner May Be Restored to Sail Again |date=2016-02-08 |website=National Geographic News |access-date=2016-07-10}} On September 4, 2014, a final effort to have the ship sail to New York City was made. A developer interested in re-purposing the ship as a major waterfront destination made an announcement about the move. The Conservancy had weeks to decide whether to sell the ship for scrap.{{Cite web |last=Backwell |first=George |url=http://www.marinelink.com/news/supporters-united-states376366.aspx |title=SS United States Supporters Push for NY Return |website=Marine Link |date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=2014-09-09}} On December 15, 2014, preliminary agreements in support of the redevelopment of United States were announced. The agreements included the provision of three months of carrying costs, with a timeline and more details to be released in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://maritimematters.com/2014/12/encouraging-new-ss-united-states-developments/ |title=Encouraging New SS United States Developments |work=maritimematters.com |date=December 15, 2014 |access-date=2015-01-04}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2014/12/16/agreement-reached-to-redevelop-ss-united-states.html |title=Agreement reached to redevelop SS United States |work=www.bizjournals.com |date=December 16, 2014 |access-date=2015-01-04}} In February 2015, the Conservancy received another $250,000 toward planning an onboard museum from an anonymous donor.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503095053/http://articles.philly.com/2015-02-11/news/59010270_1_ss-united-states-conservancy-ship-vessel |archive-date=May 3, 2015 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-02-11/news/59010270_1_ss-united-states-conservancy-ship-vessel |title=SS United States gains $250,000 donation |work=Philly.com |date=February 11, 2015 |access-date=2018-03-07}}

In October 2015, as the group began to exhaust funds, the Conservancy explored potential bids to scrap United States. Attempts to re-purpose the ship continued; ideas for reuse included hotels, restaurants, and office space. One idea was to install computer servers in the lower decks and link them to software development businesses in office space on the upper decks. No firm plans were announced. The Conservancy said if no progress was made by October 31, 2015, they would be forced to sell the ship to a "responsible recycler".{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/business/friends-of-the-ss-united-states-send-out-a-last-sos.html?hp&WT.nav=top-news&module=CloseSlideshow®ion=SlideShowTopBar&version=SlideCard-5&action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&pgtype=imageslideshow |title=Friends of the S.S. United States Send Out a Last S.O.S. |work=The New York Times |date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=2015-10-07}} As the deadline passed, it was announced $100,000 had been raised in October 2015, sparing the ship from immediate danger. By November 23, 2015, it was reported over $600,000 in donations had been received for care and upkeep, providing funding well into 2016 for the Conservancy to continue with its plan to redevelop the vessel.{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/donations-help-the-ss-united-states-fend-off-the-scrapyard/ar-BBnmzBf?li=BBnb7Kz |title=Donations Help the S.S. United States Fend Off the Scrapyard |publisher=msn.com |access-date=2016-02-04}}

On February 4, 2016, Crystal Cruises announced it had signed a purchase option for redevelopment of the United States. The company paid the ship's docking costs for nine months while it conducted a feasibility study on returning the ship to service as a cruise ship based in New York City.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923145059/http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20160205_Report__Cruise_ship_company_in_deal_to_buy_SS_United_States.html |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |url=http://mobile.philly.com/news/breaking/?wss=/philly/news/breaking&id=367636361&betaPreview=redesign |title=Can the SS United States again sail the seas? |date=February 4, 2016 |publisher=philly.com |access-date=2018-03-07}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/business/ss-united-states-historic-ocean-liner-of-trans-atlantic-heyday-may-sail-again.html |title=S.S. United States, Historic Ocean Liner of Trans-Atlantic Heyday, May Sail Again |date=February 4, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2016-02-04}} On April 9, 2016, it was announced 600 artifacts from United States would be returned to the ship from the Mariners' Museum and other donors.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailypress.com/features/history/dp-nws-mariners-museum-donation-20160409-story.html |title=SS United States getting artifact donations from Mariners' Museum, others |publisher=Dailypress |access-date=April 14, 2016}}

File:A559, SS United States, Pier 82, Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 2017.jpg, Philadelphia, on July 16, 2017]]

On August 5, 2016, the plan was abandoned; Crystal Cruises cited the project's technical and commercial challenges, and donated $350,000 to help preservation effort until the end of the year.{{cite news |title=Crystal Drops SS United States Project |url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/15658-crystal-drops-ss-united-states-project.html |access-date=6 August 2016 |publisher=Cruise Industry News |date=August 5, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/06/business/ss-united-states-ocean-liner.html |title=The S.S. United States Won't Take to the Seas Again After All |first=Jesse |last=Pesta |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/08/abandoned_ship_deal_to_save_ss_united_states_too_c.html |title=Abandoned ship: Deal to save SS United States 'too challenging' |first=Greg |last=Adomaitis |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016 |publisher=NJ.com}} The Conservancy continued to receive donations, including one for $150,000 from cruise-industry executive Jim Pollin.{{cite web |url=http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/ss-united-states-gets-last-minute-reprieve |title=SS United States Gets Last-Minute Reprieve |work=www.travelagentcentral.com |author=Adam Leposa |date=July 19, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2017}} In January 2018, the Conservancy made an appeal to the US President Donald Trump to take action.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/travel/once-majestic-cruise-ship-the-s-s-united-states-could-be-americas-flagship-once-again |title=Once-majestic cruise ship, the S.S. United States, could be 'America's Flagship' once again |publisher=Fox News |author=Trina Thompson |date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=March 12, 2018}} In the event it ran out of money, the group made alternative plans for the ship, including sinking her as an artificial reef rather than scrapping her.

On September 20, 2018, the Conservancy consulted with Casper van Hooren and Damen Ship Repair & Conversion about redevelopment of United States. Van Hooren had converted the former ocean liner and cruise ship {{SS|Rotterdam}} into a hotel and mixed-use development.{{cite web |url=https://www.wearetheunitedstates.org/single-post/2018/09/20/damen-ship-repair-and-conversion-welcomed-by-conservancy |title=Leading Rotterdam Ship Repair & Conversion Firm Welcomed by Conservancy |website=wearetheunitedstates.org |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=September 20, 2018}}

On December 10, 2018, the Conservancy announced an agreement with the commercial real estate firm RXR Realty to explore options for restoring and redeveloping United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.wearetheunitedstates.org/single-post/2018/12/10/Breaking-News-New-Agreement-with-RXR-Realty |title=Breaking News: New Agreement with RXR Realty |author=Susan Gibbs |website=wearetheunitedstates.org |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |date=December 10, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018}} The Conservancy required any redevelopment plan to preserve the ship's profile and exterior design, and include approximately {{cvt|25000|sqft|sigfig=4}} for an onboard museum. RXR's press release about United States stated multiple locations would be considered, depending on the viability of restoration plans.{{cite web |author=Jacob Adelman |date=December 12, 2018 |title=NYC developer with Manhattan pier project in deal to explore reviving SS United States |url=http://www2.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/ss-united-states-rxr-realty-columbus-boulevard-ikea-20181212.html |access-date=December 13, 2018 |website=philly.com |publisher=Philly.com/Philadelphia Media Network (Digital), LLC}}

In March 2020, RXR Realty announced its plans to repurpose the ship as a permanently moored, {{cvt|600000|sqft|sigfig=4}} "hospitality and cultural space", and requested expressions of interest from major US waterfront cities, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.{{cite web |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-cities-offered-ss-united-states-as-cultural-space |title=U.S. Cities Offered SS United States as Cultural Space |author=The Maritime Executive |date=March 11, 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2020}}

In 2023, RXR Realty and MCR Hotels released a more-detailed plan for the ship's redevelopment into a 1,000-room hotel, museum, event venue, public park, and restaurant. New York City was chosen as the best location for the ship due to existing infrastructure and the nearby Javits Convention Center, and the ship would ideally be moored to a specially built pier along the Hudson River.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Transformative Plan Unveiled to Save America's Flagship |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/2023/11/2/transformative-plan-unveiled-to-save-americas-flagship-the-ss-united-states |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102193621/https://www.ssusc.org/news/2023/11/2/transformative-plan-unveiled-to-save-americas-flagship-the-ss-united-states |archive-date=2023-11-02 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}} The 2023 plan document also included several rendered images of the redesigned United States depicting the ship docked along Manhattan's West Side at a public pier in Hudson River Park. One of the ship's funnels, with the top removed and exposed to the sky, would be a key element of the hotel. The funnel would act as a skylight, illuminating the hotel and event spaces. The plan also included hotel rooms held in the lifeboat davits, a swimming pool between the funnels, and an aft-mix interior-exterior ballroom.

Philadelphia's Pier 82, where the ship was located, was owned by Penn Warehousing, which in 2021 increased the ship's rent from $850 to $1,700 per day, requested $160,000 in back rent, and terminated the contract with the Conservancy. The company stated the change was due to the United States slowly damaging the pier and the Conservancy refusing to maintain a previous agreement to cover possible damages.{{cite news |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=January 31, 2023 |title=The SS United States is in a rent dispute that could leave it without a berth |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/ss-united-states-conservancy-pier-82-rent-penn-warehousing-20230131.html |access-date=February 1, 2023 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}{{Cite web |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=2024-06-14 |title=SS United States must leave its South Philadelphia berth by mid-September, judge rules |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/ss-united-states-south-philadelphia-ruling-20240614.html |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}} The Conservancy responded by stating the rent hike violated an agreement made in 2011 and refused to pay. They said Penn Warehousing illegally wanted to evict the ship so the pier could be used for more-profitable activities. This led to the Conservancy and Penn Warehousing suing each other.

A civil trial took place in federal court from January 17–18, 2024. Judge Anita Brody issued a final judgment on June 14.{{Cite web |title=22-2285 - PENN WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION, INC. v. SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02285/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02285-0 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=www.govinfo.gov |language=en}} Brody dismissed Penn Warehousing's financial demands but found because the 2011 berthing agreement was of indefinite duration, it was terminable at will by either party upon reasonable notice. Brody ordered the removal of United States within 90 days (by September 12). With such a tight deadline, the Conservancy was unsure how the liner could be moved or where it could go.{{r|ME 2024-06-14}}{{Cite web |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=2024-01-17 |title=SS United States is 'every landlord's nightmare,' pier's lawyer says as rent dispute goes to trial |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/ss-united-states-penn-warehousing-trial-20240117.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Guilhem |first=Matt |date=March 11, 2024 |title=The Fastest Ocean Liner to Cross the Atlantic Faces Eviction from Pier |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/11/1237529064/the-fastest-ocean-liner-to-cross-the-atlantic-faces-eviction-from-pier?fbclid=IwAR0cpPWCJt451bBsDWAK7k78IF2Xmb7cUB3piVZ08JW3jDR5arge-RtB7Kk |publisher=NPR.org}} Six days later, the Conservancy began a new donation drive and requested $500,000 to help relocate the ship.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-20 |title=Symbol of the Nation Evicted: Nonprofit Sending Out An Urgent Call to Help Save America's Flagship |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/06/19/symbol-of-the-nation-evicted |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}} In August 2024, the Conservancy stated that in addition to necessary surveys, tugboats, insurance, and other preparations, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season complicated efforts to relocate the ship before the deadline, the main difficulty being finding a port willing to host the ship.{{Cite news |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Iconic Ocean Liner SS United States Ordered to Leave Berth by September |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/iconic-ocean-liner-ss-united-states-order-to-leave-berth-by-september |work=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-21 |title=Statement from the SS United States Conservancy |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/08/21/statement-from-the-ss-united-states-conservancy |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}}

On September 12, 2024, the date on which United States was ordered to be evicted, the Conservancy accused the landlord, Penn Warehousing, of illegally planning to sell the ship. The Conservancy alleged the company had blocked an initial agreement, then planned to seize the ship and sell her for profit, thus extorting the non-profit and buyer out of millions of dollars. The Conservancy took the issue back to court and demanded an extension to the eviction notice.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-12 |title=SS United States Conservancy claims pier landlord blocked sale of historic ship despite eviction |url=https://6abc.com/post/eviction-day-ss-united-states-future-historic-ocean-liner-south-philadelphia-remains-unknown/15294478/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=6abc Philadelphia |language=en}}

In court, the eviction deadline was temporarily suspended. The company defended itself, saying it added $3 million to the sale of United States because she had not vacated her berth before the deadline. Blame was placed on the buyers for not responding to the company, with the ship's sale now under the judge's supervision. The company stated it wanted to remove the ship, so that the pier could be used to support the local economy.{{Cite web |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=2024-09-13 |title=SS United States and landlord head to mediation amid ongoing rent dispute |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/ss-us-conservancy-penn-warehousing-mediation-20240913.html |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}

File:SS United States Pool 2024.jpg|The drained ship's swimming pool

File:SS United State's 1st Class Dining Room from Minstrels' Gallery, 2024.jpg|The Minstrel's Gallery, looking down onto the first-class dining room one deck below.

File:SS United States Enclosed Promenade 2024.jpg|The 1st-class enclosed promenade, which runs for most of the ship's length.

File:SS United States 1st Class Cabins, 2024.jpg|A passageway with the footprint of first-class staterooms on the left.

File:SS United States Bow 2024.jpg|The rusting ship's name and bow.

File:SS United States stripped interior cropped.jpg|The ship's first-class restaurant, stripped of asbestos and furnishings. The entire ship is in a similar state.

File:SS United States before towing.jpg

{{Further|Sinking ships for wreck diving sites}}On August 30, 2024, Florida's Okaloosa County announced its plan to buy United States and sink her as the world's largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton beach at a cost of $1 million. The county identified several inshore locations, hoping tourism and diving expeditions would bring in revenue to pay for the project. Escambia county had sunk the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany as part of a similar plan{{cite web | url=https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/artificial-reefs/oriskany/ | title=Oriskany }}.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jared |date=2024-08-30 |title=Okaloosa County to acquire SS United States for world's largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach |url=https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-county-to-acquire-ss-united-states-for-worlds-largest-artificial-reef-off-destin-fort-walton-beach/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Get The Coast |language=en-US}} The same day, the Conservancy said the agreement with Okaloosa County was a contingent contract and would only proceed if the Conservancy had no other options to keep the ship afloat. It would be enacted in the event no alternatives be found before the eviction deadline.{{Cite web |title=E-Newsletter Archive |url=https://www.ssusc.org/enewsletter-archive |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}}

In October 2024, Okaloosa County purchased the ship for $1 million. The county estimated that the project would take about 18 months and $10 million after judge approval. To prepare the ship to be sunk as an artificial reef, she would first be relocated to Mobile, Alabama, to be prepared for scuttling, before finally arriving in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.{{Cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Joe |last2=Specht |first2=Ed |date=2024-10-28 |title=SS United States' departure from Philadelphia's Pier 82 delayed due to possible storm in Caribbean - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/ss-united-states-departure-philadelphia-delayed/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

Alongside the artificial reef, the SS United States Conservancy also plans to open a land-based museum. The museum will include ship artifacts, fixtures, furnishings, vintage audio-visual material, and archival documentation collected over the years. Salvaged items from the ship will include her radar mast, and at least one funnel.{{Cite web |last=Bulletin |first=Bay |date=2024-10-08 |title=Virginia-Built Speedy Ocean Liner to Become World's Largest Artificial Reef |url=https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/norfolk-built-speedy-ocean-liner-to-become-worlds-largest-artificial-reef/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Chesapeake Bay Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-11 |title=Dispute Between the SS United States Conservancy and Penn Warehousing Settled; Plans Announced for Next Chapter |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/2024/10/11/dispute-between-the-ss-united-states-conservancy-and-penn-warehousing-settled-plans-announced-for-next-chapter |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}}

In response to Okaloosa County's plans to sink the ship, a nonprofit organization known as the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States has been formed in an attempt to try and save ship. The Coalition filed a federal complaint against Okaloosa County. The Coalition currently has a petition with over 13,000 signatures and numbers continue to grow. {{cite news |date=April 9, 2025 |title=New York Coalition to Save the SS United States |url=https://www.nycsavessus.org/ |work=New York Coalition to Save the SS United States |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

File:SS United States guided out of pier 80 by tugs.jpg

File:Ssus mobile ala.jpg

Okaloosa County planned to relocate the ship to Mobile, AL for scuttling. Before the move could take place, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted an assessment of the ship. Per the Coast Guard order, the following requirements needed to be addressed prior to the ship's relocation:

1) A comprehensive report prepared by an experienced company must be submitted. The report must assess the ship's structural condition, watertight integrity, towing condition, onboard liquid loading, center of gravity and ability to traverse certain wave conditions.

2) If the hull is found to be compromised, a report must be submitted detailing how it will be managed during the trip to Alabama.

3) A tow plan including emergency anchorage sites and ports of safe harbor along the transit route, as well as a communications plan, must be submitted.

4) Authorization must be obtained for the tugboats, which must have horsepower adequate to control the ship during movement.

5) To mitigate pollution risks in the event of flooding or dewatering operations, all large quantities of oil not stored in sealed tanks must be relocated to sealed tanks.{{cite news |last=McNaught |first=Shannon |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Why the Coast Guard issued an order preventing the movement of the SS United States |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2024/12/12/coast-guard-order-prevents-ss-united-states-from-traveling/76918605007/ |work=Delaware News Journal |location=Delaware Online |publisher=USA Today |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

The Coast Guard also required moving the liner between Piers 82 and 80 prior to departure. A move announced for February 8, 2025 was subsequently cancelled, due to this request by the Coast Guard. {{cite news |last=McNaught |first=Shannon |date=February 6, 2025 |title=SS United States voyage out of Philly canceled for a 2nd time |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2025/02/06/ss-united-states-not-moving-departure-from-philadelphia-delaware-river-canceled-second-time/78301041007/ |work=Delaware News Journal |location=Delaware Online |publisher=USA Today |access-date=February 8, 2025}} The liner was successfully shifted between the piers on February 14, 2025.{{cite news |author= |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Video: SS United States Completes First Move as Final Journey Begins |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-ss-united-states-completes-first-move-as-final-journey-begins |work=The Maritime Executive |access-date=February 15, 2025}} Another move scheduled for February 17, 2025 was also cancelled, due to severe weather.{{cite news |date=February 17, 2025 |title=SS United States' departure from Philly delayed yet again |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/ss-united-states-departure-from-philly-delayed-yet-again/4111978/ |work=NBC 10 Philadelphia |publisher=NBC |access-date=February 17, 2025}}

On February 19, 2025, the ship began its journey to Mobile, Alabama. The SS United States departed Pier 80 at approximately noon EST, propelled by tug boats. Local interest and its prominent location along the Philadelphia waterfront prompted officials to close traffic on major bridges while the ship passed below. {{cite news |last=Conde |first=Ximena |date=February 19, 2025 |title= With more than $40 million spent, the SS United States has finally left Philadelphia after almost 30 years|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/ss-united-states-departure-philadelphia-moving-20250219.html |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |location=Philadelphia PA |publisher= Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=February 19, 2025}}Farewell SS United States Ships Monthly April 2025 pages 18/19 The ship was expected to take approximately two weeks to reach its destination in Mobile. The ship arrived in Mobile on March 3, 2025, two days ahead of schedule.

While in Mobile, the ship will undergo an extensive remediation process. Items such as environmentally unsafe materials, non-metal items, wiring, command bridge components, engine room equipment, cables, loose items, flooring, furnishings, fuel, paint, and contaminants possibly including asbestos, will be removed from the vessel before it is taken to Florida. {{cite news |date=March 3, 2025 |title=SS United States arrives in Alabama to become world's largest artificial reef |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/ss-united-states-ends-final-voyage-alabama-ahead-of-schedule/4123256/ |work=NBC 10 Philadelphia |publisher=NBC |access-date=March 3, 2025}} Preparation will also see passages opened to allow marine life to thrive in and around the ship, and strategically cut holes to ensure the ship lands upright when submerged.

According to Okaloosa County, the SS United States will be sunk ‘late this year or early next year’. The exact location of where she will be sunk is yet to be confirmed, but it will be around 20 Nautical Miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. {{cite news |date=May 6, 2025 |title=This iconic ocean liner is set to be sunk off the coast of Florida to become the world’s largest artificial reef|url=https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/news/ss-united-states-worlds-largest-artificial-reef/ |work=Wanderlust Magazine |access-date=May 6, 2025}}

File:NMAH-2009-2237.jpg]]

The Mariners' Museum of Newport News holds many objects from United States, including Expressions of Freedom by Gwen Lux, a main-dining-room sculpture it purchased during the 1984 auction. Celebrity Cruises purchased artworks designed by Charles Gilbert, including glass panels etched with sea creatures from the first-class ballroom, and incorporated them into the United States-themed restaurant aboard {{Ship|Celebrity|Infinity|4=2}}.{{Cite web |date=2014-05-10 |title=S.S. United States – Celebrity Infinity |url=http://www.cruisetotravel.com/2014/05/11/s-s-united-states-celebrity-infinity/ |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=Cruise to Travel |language=en-US}} Other onboard memorabilia, including original porcelain and a ship model, were moved to the entrance of the ship's casino in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Sloan |first=Gene |title=Celebrity Cruises to jettison history-filled restaurants |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2015/10/09/celebrity-cruises-restaurant-makeover/73640978/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2014-05-10 |title=S.S. United States – Celebrity Infinity |url=http://www.cruisetotravel.com/2014/05/11/s-s-united-states-celebrity-infinity/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=CruiseToTravel |language=en-US}} At the National Museum of American History, the mural The Current by Raymond John Wendell is on display.{{Cite web |title=Mural Painting, The Currents |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1342690 |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=National Museum of American History |language=en}} The museum also bought two murals by Hildreth Meière—Mississippi and Father of Waters—but these are not on display.

File:Prop with bridge.jpg in New York]]

One of the four-bladed propellers from United States is mounted at Pier 76 in New York City and the other is mounted outside the American Merchant Marine Museum at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. The starboard-side five-bladed propeller is mounted near the waterfront at SUNY Maritime College in Fort Schuyler, New York, while the port side five-bladed propeller is fitted on an original {{cvt|63|ft}} long drive shaft at the entrance of the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia.{{cite web |title=The SS United States' Preserved Propellers |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5df6b4db88a9697f28878602/t/5dfc19f461d2a378c660a3e9/1576802810374/SSUSPropellers.pdf |publisher=SS United States Conservancy |date=June 2014}}

The ship's bell, which is kept in a clock tower on the campus of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, is used to celebrate special events, and is rung by incoming freshmen and by outgoing graduates.{{cite web |title=Traditions – Who We Are |url=https://cnu.edu/whoweare/traditions/ |publisher=Christopher Newport University |access-date=29 July 2020}}

One of the ship's horns that stood on display for decades above a hardware store in Revere, Massachusetts, was sold to a private collector in Texas for $8,000 in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Journal |title=Rent-A-Tool to Close April 25 After 63 Years in Business |url=https://reverejournal.com/2017/04/22/rent-a-tool-to-close-april-25-after-63-years-in-business/ |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=reverejournal.com |date=April 22, 2017 |language=en-US}}

A large collection of dining-room furniture and other memorabilia from United States that had been purchased at the 1984 auction was incorporated at Windmill Point Restaurant in Nags Head, North Carolina. Following the restaurant's closure, the items were donated to the Mariners' Museum and Christopher Newport University in 2007.{{Cite news |date=2011-03-02 |title=Windmill Point set to go out in a blaze of glory |url=https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2011/03/01/windmill-point-set-to-go-out-in-a-blaze-of-glory/ |access-date=2021-05-09 |website=The Outer Banks Voice |language=en-US}}

File:HoverSpeed Great Britain.jpg

With both the eastbound and westbound speed records, SS United States obtained the Blue Riband, which marked the first time a US-flagged ship had held the record since {{SS|Baltic|1850|6}} claimed the prize 100 years earlier.

During her 17 years of service, United States maintained a crossing speed of {{cvt|30|kn|0}} in the North Atlantic, where she was unchallenged. Due to the decline of ocean liners during the 1960s, many regard the Blue Riband as having ended with United States.{{cite book |first=Arnold |last=Kludas |title=Record Breakers of the North Atlantic: The Blue Riband Liners, 1838–1952 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_QOaaU5UwRcC |access-date=2010-10-03 |date=April 2002 |publisher=Brassey, Inc |page=136 |isbn=978-1-57488-458-6}}

United States{{'}} east-bound record was broken several times, first in 1986 by Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, and her west-bound record was broken in 1990 by Destriero, but these vessels were not passenger-carrying ocean liners. The Hales Trophy was lost in 1990 to Hoverspeed Great Britain, which set a new eastbound speed record for a commercial vessel.{{Cite web |title=HSC HOVERSPEED GREAT BRITAIN (1990) |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/hoverspeed_great_britain_1990.htm |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=www.faktaomfartyg.se}}

Due to her association with luxury and fame, several movies have prominently featured United States during her time in and out of service. The ship is a major plot point in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955), and Bon Voyage! (1962).{{Citation |last=Neilson |first=James |title=Bon Voyage! |date=1962-05-17 |type=Adventure, Comedy, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055807/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |others=Fred MacMurray, Jane Wyman, Michael Callan |publisher=Walt Disney Productions}}{{Cite web |last=Conservancy |first=SSUS |date=2017-10-25 |title=SS United States on Screen: Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) |url=https://www.wearetheunitedstates.org/single-post/2017/10/21/ss-united-states-film-gentlemen-marry-brunettes |access-date=2021-05-09 |website=we-are-the-us |language=en}} More recently, she was used as a set for and appeared in the thriller Dead Man Down (2013) while docked in Philadelphia.{{Cite web |date=2013-01-19 |title=January 19, 2013 - Upcoming Hollywood Thriller Filmed On Board SS United States |url=https://www.ssusc.org/news/upcoming-hollywood-thriller-filmed-on-board-ss-united-states |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}} Numerous documentaries about the ship have been made, such as SS United States: Lady in Waiting, SS United States: Made in America, and The SS United States: From Dream to Reality.{{Citation |last=Radler |first=Robert |title=SS United States: Made in America |date=2013-03-01 |type=Documentary |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2850770/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |others=Walter Cronkite, William H. Miller, Mark B. Perry |publisher=Big Ship Films}}{{Cite web |title=Documentary Film: Lady in Waiting |url=https://www.ssusc.org/documentary-film-lady-in-waiting |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=SS United States Conservancy |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The SS United States: From Dream to Reality |url=https://store.titanichistoricalsociety.org/product/the-ss-united-states-from-dream-to-reality/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Titanic Historical Society, Inc. |language=en-US}} She also appears in the opening sequence of West Side Story (1961).{{Cite web |last=Conservancy |first=SSUS |date=2017-10-17 |title=VIDEO: SS United States in opening credits of West Side Story (1961) |url=https://www.wearetheunitedstates.org/single-post/2017/10/15/watch-ss-united-states-opening-credits-west-side-story |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=we-are-the-us |language=en}}

{{Portal|Philadelphia}}

• John W. Anderson and Commodore Harry Manning, captains of United States
• David Macaulay: Crossing on Time: Steam Engines, Fast Ships, and a Journey to the New World (2019,At Roaring Brook Press, May 7, 2019, {{ISBN|1-59643-477-5}} Planning, Building, and a journey to NYC)

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• SS America (1939)
• SS Leviathan
• SS California (1927)
• SS Virginia (1928)
• SS Pennsylvania (1929)
• SS Manhattan (1931)
• SS Washington (1932)
• SS Santa Rosa (1958)
• MS Pride of America (2002)

{{div col end}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• MV Minghua
• SS Doulos Phos
• SS Hikawa Maru
• MV Funchal

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States, Steven Ujifusa, Simon & Schuster; Reprint ed., (2013), {{ISBN|1-4516-4509-0}}
• Crossing on Time: Steam Engines, Fast Ships, and a Journey to the New World, David Macaulay, Roaring Brook Press (2019), {{ISBN|978-1-59643-477-6}}
• Picture History of the SS United States, William H. Miller, Dover Publications (2012), {{ASIN|B00A73FIMK}}
• SS United States: An Operational Guide to America's Flagship, James Rindfleisch, Schiffer; (2023), {{ISBN|978-0-7643-6655-0}}
• SS United States: America's Superliner, Les Streater, Maritime Publishing Co. (2011), {{ISBN|0-9531035-6-0}}
• S.S. United States: The Story of America's Greatest Ocean Liner, William H. Miller, W.W. Norton & Company (1991), {{ISBN|0-393-03062-8}}
• S.S. United States: Fastest Ship in the World, Frank Braynard & Robert Hudson Westover, Turner Publishing Company (2002), {{ISBN|1-56311-824-6}}
• SS United States, Andrew Britton, The History Press (2012), {{ISBN|0-7524-7953-9}}
• SS United States: Red, White, and Blue Riband, Forever, John Maxtone-Graham, W.W. Norton & Company; 1st ed. (2014), {{ISBN|0-393-24170-X}}
• SS United States: Speed Queen of the Seas, William H. Miller, Amberley Publishing (2015), {{ASIN|B00V76G2O4}}
• SS United States: Ship of Power, Might, and Indecision, William H. Miller, Fonthill Media, (2022), {{ISBN|1-62545-115-6}}
• Superliner S.S. United States, Henry Billings, The Viking Press (1953)
• {{Cite book |last=Braynard |first=Frank O. |title=The big ship: the story of the S.S. United States |year=2011 |orig-date=1981|publisher=Turner |isbn=978-1-59652-764-5 |edition=New|location=New York |oclc=745439004}}
• The Last Great Race, The S.S. United States and the Blue Riband, Lawrence M. Driscoll, The Glencannon Press; 1st ed., (2013) {{ISBN|978-1-889901-59-6}}

• {{Cite news |last=Pesta |first=Jesse |date=2024-08-09 |title=Can This Woman Save the United States? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/us/ss-united-states-philadelphia.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US}}

{{Commons category|United States (ship, 1952)}}

• [http://www.ssusc.org/ SS United States Conservancy], current owner of SS United States
• {{HAER |survey=PA-647 |id=pa4126 |title=SS United States}}
• [https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF076954/00001/thumbs First Class Deck Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024173132/https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF076954/00001/thumbs |date=October 24, 2021 }}
• [https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF038423/00001/thumbs Cabin Class Deck Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024173134/https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF038423/00001/thumbs |date=October 24, 2021 }}
• [https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF076955/00001/thumbs Tourist Class Deck Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024173133/https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF076955/00001/thumbs |date=October 24, 2021 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080602110151/http://united-states-lines.org/ssunited.htm SS United States], archive of various stories from the united-states-lines.org website

• {{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2007/04/16/070416po_poem_williams |title=Poetry – The United States |first=C. K. |last=Williams |magazine=The New Yorker |date=April 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110092236/http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2007/04/16/070416po_poem_williams |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}
• [https://www.hildrethmeiere.org/commissions/ss-united-states SS United States Onboard Artwork: Hildreth Meière], images of several onboard pieces

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuBKewWTag0&ab_channel=BrightSunFilms Inside the Abandoned S.S. United States], 2021 YouTube tour video

• [http://ss-united-states.com/ SS United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702193222/http://www.ss-united-states.com/ |date=July 2, 2020 }}, the defunct website of the Conservancy
• [https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/UNITED-STATES-IMO-5373476-MMSI-0 Information on SS United States from vesselfinder.com] This page gives a list of registered owners of the ship

{{s-start}}

{{s-ach|rec}}

{{s-bef

| rows = 2

| before = Queen Mary

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = Holder of the Blue Riband (eastbound record)

| years = 1952–present

}}

{{s-aft

| rows = 2

| after = None

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = Blue Riband (westbound record)

| years = 1952–present

}}

|-

{{s-bef

| rows = 2

| before = Normandie

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = Holder of the Hales Trophy

| years = 1952–1990

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Hoverspeed Great Britain

}}

{{s-end}}{{Ocean liners designed by William Francis Gibbs}}{{Philadelphia}}{{National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania}}{{Registered Historic Places}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States}}

Category:Ocean liners

Category:Steamships of the United States

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia

Category:Blue Riband holders

Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Philadelphia

Category:Passenger ships of the United States

Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia

Category:Ships of the United States Lines

Category:Ships on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania

Category:1951 ships

Category:Troop ships

Category:Ships on the National Register of Historic Places