The Big U's Rival in the Pacific
The SS United States was nationally renowned as both a triumph of design and engineering and a symbol of national unity. After claiming the Blue Riband on her maiden voyage, she came to be known as "The World's Fastest Ocean Liner." And, though the years have brought about many changes for America's Flagship, it's a title she can still rightly came — to this day, no liner has made a faster roundtrip crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. But did you know that the Big U almost had so
Newport News Shipbuilding Employees Revisit Memories of SS United States
It is always special when the Conservancy has the opportunity to connect with former employees of Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company. The SS United States touched many lives, and the shipyard personnel involved in her construction played a vital role in ensuring the vessel's incredible speed, safety, and incident-free service career. The SS United States under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company. Photograph: LIFE Magazine. This June, Keith Har
Design 12201: William Francis Gibbs' Confidential Plans for the Record-Breaking SS United States
On February 6, 1946, naval architect William Francis Gibbs presented "Design 12201" to General John M. Franklin of United States Lines for the very first time. This ambitious plan, for the construction of the vessel that would become the SS United States, would change the course of maritime history — introducing the world to the fastest, safest and most advanced ocean liner ever constructed. On March 13th, 1946, the United States Lines board approved "Design 12201," on the co
Celebrating the Big U's Pioneering Female Engineer, Elaine Kaplan
SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs was notable in his time for basing his hires on ability, rather than background. Of top priority was finding the best man — or woman — for the job; Gibbs found her in pioneering female engineer Elaine Kaplan, whose work on the top-secret propulsion system of the SS United States was essential to the ship's incredible speed. Pioneering female engineer Elaine Kaplan, at table with SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs (f
VIDEO: The Story Behind the SS United States' Famous Propeller
Take a private tour of America's Flagship and learn all about one of the Big U's great innovations. Like what you see? Be sure to visit the SS United States Conservancy's Facebook page and give us a 'like' — you can find exciting new content there every week! The WE ARE THE UNITED STATES campaign has raised $300,000 to date — want to help us reach our goal for rescuing rescue and revitalize America's Flagship? Visit our GoFundMe page and make your donation today. Together, we
CLASSIC VIDEO: Building the SS United States
We are pleased to share this remarkable footage showcasing the history behind the construction of the world's fastest ocean liner, the SS United States! The keel of the SS United States was laid on February 8th, 1950 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, one of the most well respected shipyards on the East Coast, with a long history of contracts with the U.S. Navy. The design of the SS United States was so innovative that the details of her construction were
Gibbs & Cox's 3D laser scans of the SS United States (Part 6)
These aren't photographs-- this is 3D Thursday! We've got more laser-scanned images to share with you courtesy of the firm that designed America's Flagship: Gibbs & Cox, Inc. William Francis Gibbs himself would surely be proud of the way his grand old organization -- founded all the way back in 1929 -- continues to honor the legacy of the SS United States. In fact, despite its countless engineering projects Gibbs & Cox has taken on in the 65 years since her debut, the company
Gibbs & Cox's 3D Scans of the SS United States (Part 5)
These aren't photographs-- this is 3D Thursday! We've got more laser-scanned images to share with you courtesy of the firm that designed America's Flagship: Gibbs & Cox, Inc. William Francis Gibbs himself would surely be proud of the way his grand old organization -- founded all the way back in 1929 -- continues to honor the legacy of the SS United States. In fact, despite its countless engineering projects Gibbs & Cox has taken on in the 65 years since her debut, the company
Princeton Cemetery: William Francis Gibbs' Final Resting Place
Greg Waters, former Curatorial & Outreach Associate for the SS United States Conservancy, tells of a recent trip to Princeton Cemetery: Princeton Cemetery has been called the Westminster Abbey of the United States because of the many recognizable names from throughout American history that are buried there. Among these are a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Nobel Prize recipient, several former presidents of Princeton University, and many other men and women with
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: SS United States arrives in New York for maiden voyage
This week means so very much to the story of America's Flagship. Photo courtesy of Henry Brunjes June 20th, 1952: The SS United States is officially handed over to United States Lines.
Twenty years later, after she was taken out of service, the U.S. Congress authorized the Department of Commerce to purchase the ship for $12.9 million as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, a special group of merchant and passenger vessels that stood to be called into public service i
