"You can’t set her on fire, you can’t sink her, and you can’t catch her." -- William Francis Gibbs
The troop transport service of the RMS QUEEN MARY and RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH proved invaluable to the Allies during World War II. As the United States entered the Cold War the US government decided they too needed a superliner that could serve as a large, fast troop transport. Naval architect William Francis Gibbs was given the opportunity to build his masterpiece: the SS UNITED STATES. Ordered in 1949, and laid down in 1950, she set sail on 3 JULY 1952. Her steam turbines delivered 240,000 shp to four screws sending her forward at 38 knots. She became the last liner to capture the Blue Riband of the Atlantic. Her sleek lines gave the impression of speed even when motionless. As an American I'm proud that such a magnificent vessel held the honor of being the fastest liner ever built. A superlative she shares with icons like the MAURETANIA, BREMEN, REX, NORMANDIE, and QUEEN MARY. At the same time I'm ashamed that she now sits empty and faded in Philadelphia. Hopefully she will be saved so that she can be celebrated and admired for generations to come. A ship like this will never be built again on either side of the Atlantic.