The ship was designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs and could have been converted into a troopship if required by the United States Navy in time of war. The ship served as a US icon, transporting celebrities and immigrants throughout her career between 1952 and 1969. · The SS UnitedStates, the world's fastest ocean liner dubbed "America's Flagship," is taking its final voyage, destined to become the world's largest artificial reef off Florida's Gulf Coast. Entirely Made in America by over 3,000 pairs of tireless hands, and with products and components from every state in the nation, the SS UnitedStates was a global ambassador and the pinnacle of mid-century maritime design. · As the ocean liner SS UnitedStates is being prepared for its final voyage, from Alabama to a site off Florida, we look back at what made it so important. · The S.S. UnitedStates, the largest passenger ship ever built in America, left Philadelphia under tow on Wednesday, eventually to be sunk off the Gulf Coast. Learn about the SS United States, the fastest and last of the Titanic style ocean liners, built in 1952 and retired in 1969. See photos, facts and comparisons with the Queen Mary 2, and how to support the SS United States Conservancy. Where is the SS United States now?As of February 2025, the SS United States has been towed from Philadelphia, the former home of almost 30 years, and is en-route to Mobile, Alabama to undergo preparations to be scuttled and become the pride of the world's largest artificial reef off the Florida coast in Okaloosa County, the ship's new owners.How did the SS United States become a warship?Shrouded in secrecy, the SS United States had the ability to transform from ocean liner to warship in short notice. Fortunately the conflicts of the later 20th century never escalated, the SS United States never saw wartime service.What set the SS United States apart from other ocean liners?What really set it apart from other ocean liners, though, were its military capabilities. Construction of the SS United States was a joint venture between United States Lines and the U.S. government to make it both a top-of-the-line ocean liner and secret troop transport.Could SS United States be America's flagship again?"Once-majestic cruise ship, the S.S. United States, could be 'America's Flagship' once again". Fox News. Retrieved . ^ a b "Leading Rotterdam Ship Repair & Conversion Firm Welcomed by Conservancy". wearetheunitedstates.org. SS United States Conservancy. . Retrieved . A joint venture between the United States Government and the United States Lines, the vessel was developed as the fastest and most powerful ocean liner ever that could quickly transform into a troopship or a hospital ship to help during a wartime effort. Learn about the SS United States, the fastest and last of the Titanic style ocean liners, built in 1952 and retired in 1969. See photos, facts and comparisons with the Queen Mary 2, and how to support the SS United States Conservancy. A joint venture between the United States Government and the United States Lines, the vessel was developed as the fastest and most powerful ocean liner ever that could quickly transform into a troopship or a hospital ship to help during a wartime effort.
