SS United States

In the 50’s and 60’s I traversed the Atlantic aboard the SS United States with my family several times. I remember it as an experience to be cherished all my life. She was such a beautiful and comfortable ship. Over the years I have followed her whereabouts. Happy that she found a home in Philadelphia, but sad that she still awaits restoration. My thanks to the Conservatory group for keeping her alive until investors can turn her into the destination she deserves. That would be a dream come true. I would love somehow being a part of her repurposing. The SS United States is not just another ship, she is truly a legend that should be preserved. Darrell Frazier Frisco, Texas

This is a ship that should be reinvented but sits and deteriorates. There is an effort to get her back to her glory, but people don’t seem to know about her. I imagine it would take incredible fundraisers and businesses helping. She is beautiful though not showing her best right now. Be amazing if she became something the people of Philly and others could enjoy.

Inspired by the service of the British liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, which transported hundreds of thousands of US troops to Europe during World War II, the US government sponsored the construction of a large and fast merchant vessel that would be capable of transporting large numbers of soldiers. Designed by American naval architect and marine engineer William Francis Gibbs (1886–1967), the liner's construction was a joint effort by the United States Navy and United States Lines. The US government underwrote $50 million of the $78 million construction cost, with the ship's prospective operators, United States Lines, contributing the remaining $28 million. In exchange, the ship was designed to be easily converted in times of war to a troopship. The ship has a capacity of 15,000 troops, and could also be converted to a hospital ship.

Scrap that eye sore enough already! You scrapped my ship which was in the navy yard and was the first in a line of super aircraft carrier. But you leave this p.o.s. around for 25 plus years. Why? So what some celebrities took a trip on it. Big deal! Make reef out of it or sell it for scrap to pay the dock fees. It's a rotting stripped rust bucket and it looks like the titanic dumped on Philadelphia.

I hope she can be saved. And it would be amazing to see her run again under her own power---she set speed records and the fact that her top speed remains classified adds to her mystique. If nothing else she is a monument, a museum showcasing maritime mechanical engineering just as transatlantic ship travel waned. I met a gentleman that served on her while in the Merchant Marine. His bunk was just above one of her propellers and when she was at speed he said it was deafening. Having asked him about her speed he recounted how, during one crossing, that the crew and passengers were warned of a hurricane in the ship's path and that was the single time he served on her where he recalled her going near full speed. He said it was an awesome feeling having something that big moving that fast and being on it and feeling it. I saw her from a distance while down from New York visiting other Philly sites, including USS Olympia, another marvel that I hope remains safe and in good shape for future generations. I'm reminded of SS United States often because I frequently walk past one of her screws, which is stored in the parking lot of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in NYC, just three blocks from the very piers that her shipping line called home.