Deep Exploration of the S.S. United States - The First Lady of the Seas
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- If you enjoyed this video, please consider joining my Patreon to help create more videos like this! / parttimeexplorer
To give a one-time tip, please visit: www.historicalfx.com/support
You can learn more about Conservancy and donate to help a save America’s Flagship by going to www.SSUSC.org.
The SS United States - America’s flagship. The fastest and safest ocean liner in history and a classified military service ship in the event of war. Winner of the Blue Riband and one of the last remaining classic ocean liners left in the world.
She sits, quiet and dormant, at Pier 82 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a reminder of the triumph of the trans-Atlantic passenger service, and waiting in hope for an eventual second life. Whatever may come of her, this ship has stories to tell us.
Thanks to the wonderful assistance of the SS United States Conservancy, my friends and I have been given access to the ship to come aboard, explore her history, uncovering it as we go below decks, and find parts of the ship never before seen online. We’ll take a step back into the 1950’s and 60’s, with this magnificent ship serving as our window to the past.
A special thank you to @dumpsterfireproductions for their assistance with our Unreal 5 assets!
As a child of 8, in 1958, I came to New York on the SS United States. I remember the grand stair case and the dining room. Spent most of the time in my room sea sick. I still have menus and other memorabilia from the Journey. As we docked photographers came on board, we were blessed to have the Duke and Duchess of Windsor traveling on the ship. My father who was in the Air Force tried to find out where the photos could be found, but had to luck. It was a wonderful memory for me, very long ago.
What a great story!! My parents came from England and Italy! They were on one of the Queens! Mary or Elizabeth.
Maybe you find the photos one day❤
What a shame the experience was somewhat ruined by sea sickness, hope you still enjoyed the odd day and the food. I always wonder what the food was like on the classic Ocean liners and wether you could get as greedy as you can on a modern cruise ship?
Wow!! What a cool experience!! Thank you for sharing!
Cool story, thank you!
These big documentaries are insane. It’s like this is a TV channel for ships and exploration.
Production values are nigh of proffessional TV level
Couldn't agree more mate! Well put! Cheers!
This is my favorite channel on UA-cam!
What is a "big documentary" ? It's only an hour long
What are "these"?
Why do you say "insain" as if the navy can't exist?
@Auschwitz Soccer Ref. Good point. The comment we are responding to is idiotic.
I had the privilege to sail the SS United States in September 1967. My dad was in the US Air Force and was being assigned to England. He was able to secure a voyage on this grand ship. I spent a lot of time in the teen room, watched "To Sir with Love" in the theater. and released balloons off the fan deck to watch them drift up and out over the ocean. On a side note, the ship would toot its whistle as it passed the office where she was designed as a salute when departing. Fond memories!
What a grand adventure
How awesome!
Man I went on a German ship that size in 65 those ocean liners were fine if you have the time that was the way to go to Europe Took a train a Pullman car from the gulf coast to New York to catch the ship it was really a great way to travel all around wish we could do it today now that I'm older. It was a different world so dam sad
There can be no greater commendation to give to a sailing vessel than that she operated smoothly & efficiently, throughout her career, with no mishaps. This grand old lady of the seas deserves to be restored to her full glory.
Not sure we can call her a grand old lady of the seas when she only sailed for a measly 17 years before being laid up, from which she never returned to operation..
The Queen Mary sailed in continuous service for 31 years. And performed WAR SERVICE in WW2.
@@johnfranklin5277 I see your point of view, friend. Please consider, however, that the SS United States' career occurred at the time when the great trans-Atlantic cruise ships were disappearing. There was, fortunately, no need for her services as a troop carrier. And as pointed out in this documentary, she was considered for the Caribbean cruise run, but the cost of the re-fit was too high. Recall, also, that despite her tragically short career, the RMS Titanic is considered one of the finest passenger cruise vessels to ever sail, & certainly deserves the description "grand old lady of the seas". Thanks for your reply.
@@cdfdesantis699 Ocean liners, not cruise ships. Big difference. Otherwise though, you make a solid point.
@@Kaidhicksii True, with the vessels' style of voyage being the determining factor. Liners travel long distances, usually from point A-B. Cruise vessels normally travel shorter distances, stopping at multiple ports of call. The general designs of the vessels are, for the most part, virtually the same. Thanks much for your kind reply.
All you have to do is win, the Mega Millions jackpot, and you got yourself, an ocean liner😁!!
The SS United States is still the holder of the Atlantic Record, or Blue Riband. It was always an unofficial record, and it was intended for actual passenger ships in regular service crossing the North Atlantic. The Hales Trophy came very late in the Blue Riband's long history, and while impressive, does not give those who possess it any official record holding status. The owners of that catamaran thing may have gotten their hands on the Hales Trophy on the basis of some technicality, but they do not hold the Atlantic Record. Thank you for mentioning this and helping to set the record straight.
Monsieur, I agree with you... I feel the SS United States holds the record still in both directions. I would tell the owners of that catamaran, build something that's the equivalent of the United States. Put some thought and engineering into it and really earn it. Not some small little boat that pretty much does not compare to what an ocean liner is all about. Great comment as you were thinking what I've always thought all along about what a real Blue Ribband Holder is all about.
Insane that the final 2 holders can still be visited in 2023, even as 2nd and 3rd gen cruise ships are being scrapped. But we'd better hurry, as the QM seems on very shaky ground and the US is probably irreparable.
Another way of looking at it is that most of the documentary was spent telling the audience just how fast the SSUS was, only for it to be revealed at the end that the ship wasn't even as fast as a cross-channel ferry. Go SeaCat!
@@scottread I mean... a jetski is faster still. Apples to horseshoes here.
@@matthewbowen5841 Remember, sir, that this is the year that we begin so send Rockets, Back to the Moon. SS United States will, no doubt, be seen as Eminently Refittable, once the Opportune time presents itself.
As a child, my family used to go to Ocean City, NJ every summer on vacation. And we’d drive through Philadelphia to get there. I was already obsessed with ships, and had read every single book about the titanic that I could get my hands on. So the first year we tried a different road around the city, and took the Walt Whitman bridge for the first time, i happened to look out to my left…… and I saw her. Just sitting there. Rusted out and decayed. But she was still one of the coolest things I’d ever seen. Every year after that, every time we drove through the city, I’d always look forward to seeing that huge ship by the bridge. It was only years later I learned what that ship actually was. I desperately hope that someone finds a way to restore her someday. I’d love to sail/stay on her if that ever is a possibility.
Same, it the other way around. Instead I see her when going to Camden to USS New Jersey. I live a 40min away from Ocean city.
I've really debated driving to Philly just to check out the Big U from a distance lol. Just haven't made the 8-hour one way pilgrimage yet.
@@MineTwine45 well you can see her from the stern of BB NJ
Greetings fellow Titanic/general maritime enthusiast
Sorry to hear that😔. Being from Pennsylvania, and having to vacation at Ocean City, NJ. Where's there's no normalcy, alcohol, and drenched with Methodist psycho's🙄. Why didn't they try a decent place, like Wildwood🤔???
This is, without exaggeration, probably one of the best documentaries I’ve seen on SSUS. No dramatization. Excellent research. Simple where simple is needed. Fascinating (and quite frankly inspiring) animations. Great tidbits that otherwise could’ve been missed (I particularly liked the one on the flag message in the ship’s pool area). Explorations of intriguing spaces and so much more.
As far as documentaries go, this one is easily in the top 10 for me 👍
All of his videos are like this. Thoroughly researched with high production standards.
Ye
@@TankedUpstairs I absolutely am not. You’d be surprised how much I’ve been desensitized to the mainstream over-hyped “documentaries” that turn more to entertainment than education. I much prefer a more laid-back style, but the big streaming services most definitely do not…
It's always nice to get the facts, as with this documentary. Yet you realize they are admitting Germans actually developed the fastest ship. USA funded NAZIS too. Understand the Deception going on, to stand up to it.
Understand what this means, though.
The SS United States was a GERMAN SHIP with THREE funnels. What did they do with one of the funnels?
The Titanic was built for Bruce Ismay and JP Morgan. It had one fake funnel - to mark it, maybe, for atrack from long distance so nobody would realize? There were many explosions, first being Boiler Room 6, combusting because a bolt was deliberately missing and CPT Smith made the workers stoke it full speed ahead, obviously knowing it would blow up - and CPT Smith locked 1,000 of the passengers in the lower decks by remotely activating the lock tight door. They either burned to death or drowned.
So I have a hard time feeling comfortable over what was probably a test ship! Find out where it navigated, too, as a means to an end.
I love the drag race between SS United States and RMS Queen Elizabeth. Two of the greatest express liners of all time. Big U didn't break a sweat, I'm sure. The two of them, side by side at speed in the open ocean, must've been a glorious sight! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what must've been a breathtaking event seen by a lucky few.
@notfiveo
Yeah, Big U's interiors weren't super plush, but Gibbs was obsessed with fireproofing her, so materials choices were somewhat limited.
Stripping the interior means: on death row…a short vision decision
Such a beautiful old girl. I do hope the money's found to get her the restoration she deserves. Such a gorgeous vessel deserves to look her best.
Sadly, it would take a generous billionaire and they don't exist.
@baritonebynight Also, none of the parts used to restore her would be made in America. The ship in her current state is a direct analogy for the country she's named after.
I wish money from other ship-related charities (for example, the TITANIC museum) can be chipped in to help the S.S. United States.
@@baritonebynight They said total cost would be like $10 million thats cheap
$700 million lol. They won't find anyone. You can buy a couple brand new giant ocean liners for that price.
$700 million is where it would start. It's a lost cause for something that old even though it's still the fastest.
MV Astoria oldest ship still in service today. They wanted 12 million for that. Still going to the scrapper since nobody bid and that ships ready now. Lol
Generous Billionaire is where it would start. For sure by a long shot. You'd need somebody to be willing to lose their pants big time. Won't happen. I think the idea of it being revived is great but I don't see anyone willing to put that kinda money in. It won't pay itself off.
Also speeds not needed today for cruises. Nobody's paying $4,000 to be back in a day lol. That's why nobody makes them go faster. It would be cheaper to scratch build by a long shot if they wanted too and crush the SS USAs speed record lol.
Kinda like the Concorde Jet. I'm afraid of 747 now. No need to do it.
Even if refit as a hotel or condos. Again I think SS USA is just too far gone to even want to try as far as cost.
Maybe they get somebody with deep pockets or somebody has an idea. I just don't see it. Longer it takes the more likely it goes for scrap.
It's pretty sad seeing how much of her interior was stripped down. But she is definitely a throwback ocean liner that refuses to die.
If only the Titanic were in such good shape!
@@thomasewing2656 They are trying to make a new Titanic.
No way... He's done it!
He did it. That crazy son of a b**ch did it. Haha
About 9 years ago, when I lived in Claymont Delaware, I contacted to Conservancy and asked if I could go near her to film. They said I could, but not onto the pier itself. I had hoped to get a group of my friends together to go film, but life got in the way. Shortly after, we moved to just outside of Toledo Ohio. I am glad they let you have such unprecedented access to this grand old ship. Great documentary!
When I watch PBS and the BBC, this is the quality of documentary I'm looking for. Thank you for your research and passion in sharing your hard work with us.
Several years ago I was driving in Philadelphia, looked out the window and was absolutely mesmerized by the sight of what was clearly once a majestic ship, and I thought about how great it would be to explore it now and see what it looked like inside. And years later I get my wish! Thank you so much!
I have been an ocean liner lover since I was a kid, I am now 72. I had such a passion for them that at 10 years old I was building plastic models of anything related to liners that I could find and drawing my own ship designs with the thought of maybe one day being a Marine Architect. That didn't happen but my love for these wonderful ships still live on. My Dad worked on Norwegian American Line during the same period of the SS United States. We had moved to NY from Norway around 1955. My mom would take me to the piers in NYC to visit Dad when he came into port. The ship did the NYC to Oslo, Norway run. I loved going on board. I can still smell the diesel fuel and the aromas of the kitchens as Dad was a Chef onboard.
I loved this film and it brought back so many memories of an era that was so fantastic for me and many others. It is a shame that most will never know how truly wonderful, exciting and romantic it was. I say thanks to the producers for making such a nice documentary and I say thanks for bringing back so many memories . I truly hope with all my heart that this great ship will be saved and repurposed, as it holds so much history.
Best of times my friend.
This video was better produced than most of the major studios. Clearly, a labor of love based on the exhaustive research, filming and post-production elements. Great job!
My family came to the US on that ship in 1968, I was only 2 and my Brother was 5 and sisters were teens. My mother was British and father was American in the Military. I use to have a all metal mini model of the ship. I’m hoping to visit the ship with my daughter’s some day. Fantastic Documentary! You truly did a great job!
I saw it last year what a mess. I stood their and cried remembering how my coming here on it changed my life forever
@@christinewillcox-jones3028 I hope someone will have the money to do something with it.
This beautiful ship needs to be brought back to life in all its glory it deserves that , we need to treat this beautiful legend with respect , ❤
You gonna pay for it?
Well, I think there are plenty of people in 2024 that would pay for a cruise on a restored vintage oceanliner. Even if it would be way more expensive than a cruise on one of those monstrosities nowadays. I would never pay that amount of money to be crammed in basically a floating two star Turkish all in resort looking like a social housing flat with 5,500 people. But I would pay for a cruise on a replica of the Normandie or a restored QM or US.
As someone who has never been on a cruise because I'm terrified of anything going wrong, I respect Gibbs going overboard on safety. If it's ever restored, I'll be first in line to get on board. Thank you for the incredible video.
It will never cruise ever again. Two cruise companies explored that possibility, and both determined it wasn't economically feasible. The only hope for saving the ship is a redevelopment deal, which is currently being explored by RXR Development.
@@lmo1960 that's why I said on board and not cruising.
Im a Titanic/general-maritime enthusiast but I 100% agree lmao, I went on a Carnival cruise as a toddler and was very nervous lol
@@lmo1960 Ah, the worst kind of killjoy...
*The one who's speaking **_facts_*
Wow, I remember seeing her towed into Philly back in 1996. Now 25 years later she’s been sitting there docked the same amount of time she was in service. My uncle rode her back in the 60’s.
It's a shame it's just there deteriorating, they should restore it back to its original condition or something, or just sink it since it's just deteriorating. I think restore it to its original condition and have it go on small cruises it would definitely make a profit. Or turn it into a hospital ship or a museum.
I do love these animations! They just set that special mood.
Also at 57:04 you can see that the propellers had a defect and at high speeds they created bubbles reducing efficiency and slowly eating away at the ships propellers.
I noticed that. Cavitation.
the propellers were hidden from the public and classified. the propellers were state of the art engineering to minimize cavitation. any other propeller would have been eaten alive by cavitation
It wasn't a defect, but rather a common phenomenon that persists today on ship propellers known as cavitation. Basically, depending on their shape and location, the props stir up a lot of bubbles when in motion which gradually eats away at them. The United States, in her 17-year career, has quite a small amount of cavitation compared to other vessels, thanks to her propeller arrangement: 4 bladed at the front and 5 bladed at the rear, to better churn through the water without causing as many bubbles.
@@Kaidhicksii It's still a defect that engineers are actively trying to fix.
@@Yassified3425 On ALL ships.
A mighty ship! This past December (2022) a long time wish came true and I was able to walk the Big U's decks, see an engine room, and even climb the main mast. Even more special was meeting Susan Gibs, William Francis Gibbs's granddaughter. One can still feel the mighty power of the liner. The SS US conservancy is a great organization if one decides to donate.
One of the best interior looks at the ship from recent years. It's easy to dispairingly think of the ship as just a gutted shell, but contextualizing those empty, stripped spaces as former cabins and cafes gives some perspective not only of what the ship liked like in her prime but what it would take to recreate it.
I've been researching this incredible ship for over 3 years now, and nearly the entire time shes been my favorite. Nowadays I don't find videos about the ship that contain any new information to me, but this video by far has been the best i've ever seen about the ship, and I learned many things from it, kudos Part-Time Explorer, another amazing video.
Your tour of the machinery space sent me on something of a 'horrifying flashback'. 😄 Many years ago I worked as an engineering technician for a shipyard. This shipyard did new construction as well as refits. One of the projects they were looking at was converting an old Washington state ferry into a casino boat that some wealthy fellow had bought.
The boat handn't moved under its own power for about 20 years. One of the jobs within in the job was to determine what work had to be done to get it back in running condition. One day I was on a grating catwalk in the shaft alley between the boats two propeller shafts. The catwalk had several removable sections for maintenance access and cleaning, and at that time a few of them had been removed and placed who knows where. As I walked along the catwalk I had to skip over the gaps the removed sections created. The shipyard had rigged temporary lighting, and when I got all the way to the end of the walk the lighting WENT OUT!. Not in my life had I been in such complete darkness, and without a headlight style hard hat or even a flashlight! For about ten terrifying minutes I was there all alone, until finally the lights came back on. Phew!
That is terrifying!
@@PartTimeExplorer Yes, and it was also a 'duh' moment for me. You bet that before I set foot back on that creepy hulk In came armed with a flashlight firmly clipped to my belt! BTW, before I scoot off, let me join the legions of viewers in praise of your terrific work. You might call yourself 'Part-Time Explorer' but the quality of your efforts bespeaks of 'Big Time - Full Time'!😀
Each time the ship appears in the background, its size makes it look unreal. The largest ship I've been able to tour was the Battleship USS Massachusetts in Fall River, Mass. The SS United States simply dwarfs BB-59. Just incredible.
Excellent video! I can only imagine what the ocean liner era was like, but this video makes it so much easier to visualize. Thanks!
i was quite young when we set out in the middle of the night from North Hampton to South Hampton to board the
SS United States, the year 1964, my father was American US Air Force and my mother was a Liverpudlian. I was 7yrs
old and in charge of my bother and sister and belongings. Standing there absolutely in awe of this most beautiful boat, the four of us my mom, sis, ,brother, and myself had no comprehension of the adventure staring back at us. Since my father was military he when to a separate quarters than us, in the lower deck. i remember our small cabin
with two bed and bunks that dropped down from the wall, we were excited, couldnt contain our curiosity and need to totally explore this ship, as i was corrected from saying boat by the steward, and we three did exactly that, explored.
From watching movies to golden bouillon on deck to being privileged to dine with the Captain, because our mother experienced dreadful sea sickness. I remember the most beautiful shrimp cocktails i had ever seen or eaten but i also remember a storm where the waves were tossing the ship and the crew had tied ropes along the decks so you could hold on in case you lost your footing. Funny, the movie showing was the Unsinkable Molly Brown with Debbie Reynolds. I look back at this ocean voyage as a dream sometimes but it was the most memorable, fantastic, eye opening experience of my childhood especially when we approached New York Harbor and the great lady herself,
Miss Liberty. From the air you really dont get the full quintessential essence of her as you do passing , her, staring from the deck of a ocean liner, your heart beating fast, as she welcomes you to the new world you soon become a part of, leaving you with a vision in your head that can never be replaced in your mind. i consider my whole experience as a young girl on SS United States will never diminish, I feel privileged, and probably should thank the military for booking
us. I am now 66yrs old and have experienced numerous cruise lines, but none, and i mean none, have touched me in spirit, awe, and overwhelming as SS United States, she set the standards of cruising for me maybe because I was young and impressionable but no its her and what she represented to me.
Tom, that was magnificent! I learned so much about this beautiful old girl. She deserves to be saved and preserved.
I’m so sad to know that Jordan and Eric have both passed. I’m sure I knew of it, but this reminded me of the length of the fight to save this treasure has been. RIP and thanks for your service
Jordon and Eric fought to save the SS United States until they both died.
Great Doc. It is a real shame this ship was allowed to be stripped. It should have been preserved as a museum for millions to visit and experience.
You look so dapper around 39:00! And your pocket square is very well matched to the ship's vintage aesthetic.
I don't actually know anything about ships, I just find these documentaries interesting and relaxing lol
I’d still have taken this incredible, comfortable, and safe cruise over the comet jets… we all know how well that ended! This whole video I was instinctively waiting for a disaster even though I knew it wasn’t coming 😂 very soothing glimpse back in time though and awesome work as usual 😊
Of course, the Comet jets didn't fly across the Atlantic until 1958, by which time they had been investigated and redesigned. But like you, if I was around then and wanted to cross the Atlantic (and been able to afford it!) I'd also have gone by ocean liner...
I can't help but join the chorus of praise here. I've watched a lot of videos on your channel in the last weeks and this is a high note even in your stupidly high standards.
I absolutely adore the care and research you put into everything you put out. I really feel like I'm getting the complete story when watching one of your videos, not only half of it as with many others. Cheers to all of you who created this!
Just wanted to give a huge cheers to your entire team! The narrative, story, editing, and production quality are second to none. from your fans in Canada: Thank you!
My dad was a navy man, and I adored ocean liners as a child. As a result of these two things I’ve always thought ocean liners had a soul, and seeing a ship on the way to be scrapped was almost enough to bring me to tears. Thank you for this incredible visit. It almost hurts imagining this ship back in service, something which came close to happening several times but just never came about.
This documentary is well done. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations…in my research, I found that my Dad served on the SS United States from Dec 1953-Sep 1955 as a Deck officer. The last 5 trips of his 37 trips on her, he was Chief Officer. He was later transferred to become the Chief Officer of the SS America.
I said this on your Centralia vid but the way you overlay old photos onto modern footage is great. I like it.
Incredible job on the complete history of the ship. As with so many great liners, it is sad to see it just... left there. I really do hope that it gets restored and enjoys a good second life like the QE2 has. I'm kind of surprised that Ocean Liners aren't also coming back into popularity, given how _awful_ flying has become (experience wise). I would much rather take a few days to cross the ocean in comfort than a few hours crammed into a plane.
That's one of the reasons why I'm currently in college pursing a major in mechanical engineering. Like Gibbs, my dream is to design a vessel that will revolutionize the cruise industry, and hopefully even, maybe, reignite the transatlantic passenger trade.
Also like Gibbs and his ship, my ship is heavily classified, as I've only shared info on it with a handful of people to date. I plan to share preliminary designs and details on Reddit at some point in the near future though. :)
@@Kaidhicksii Now that is really cool to hear - hope you succeed in this! The ship industry is well overdue for a major revolution. :)
You still can sail on an ocean liner. It’s called Queen Mary 2. May be much newer, but it’s still an ocean liner and it’s still luxurious
In 1970, my parents inherited the house of Charles B Gilbert, a friend and the artist responsible for drawing the beautiful sea life used to cut into the glass. In his studio, we discovered the original drawings. I always wondered how wonderful these glass panels must have looked. Tonight I happened upon this video about the US United States and got a short glimpse of these panels. Thank you very much!
Good video! A few corrections: 1) The ship actually averaged 28.5 knots on transatlantic crossings. She ran at 32 knots for part of the trip & then slowed down. 2)The ship's average occupancy rate was 78% in the 1950s, 65% in the sixties, and 71% for her career. 3) The SSUS was in service for over 17 years. 4) The America was officially retired in 1964. 5) SSUS did not make 400 voyages. This included cancelled trips.
I wish they fixed her up nice and made her a museum. I drove by her a couple times when my parents took us to the Army-Navy games.
What a perfect metaphor for the country for which she's named. Just as the era of the great ocean liners is long gone, and as the beauty of this, the greatest of the great, so has gone the country for which she is named.
My family as immigrants sailing on the beautiful SS United States ship, which arrived on Ellis Island on December 1, 1953 as an 11 year old, oldest among my 3 siblings. Unfortunately, we were sea sick most of the 5 1/2days it took the ship to arrive from Le Havre. Most impressive and memorable to me to this day was seeing the Statue of Liberty😀! Have a photo of my parents and us four chiildren sitting at the dining room table as pale from sea sickness.
Always been proud to have known that we had sailed on The SS United States.
Was sorry when it was put to rest.
Thank you for this documentary.
My father Herbie Katz worked aboard the SS United States 🇺🇸 and met my mother whilst docked in Southampton. I still have their letters and lots of memorabilia from the ship. As children we would cross over from Southampton to New York and back several times a year. I loved those crossings and despite being so young I have retained the memories of each crossing with such love and pride. Ceaser our steward would often come to our house bringing chocolate chip ice-cream 😋and tales of the crossings.
I was privileged enough to meet celebrities and the occasional Royal who loved the ship and entertainment. The food was amazing and you could order virtually anything you wanted. One of my favourite desserts was the Baked Alaska served with flames 🔥 burning. Such elegance these memories will stay with me throughout my life and I only pray that someone like @RichardBranson will buy her for a future life. It’s the most wonderful way to travel and loosing an hour a day means no jet lag. I’ll follow up with more tales of life on the ocean waves aboard the best ship ever built the SS United States 🇺🇸
I am glad a ship this majestic and history-filled still lives. I hope she gets the refurbishment she deserves someday.
As of right now Philly wants it gone. Plans to demolish and scrap is all that's happening right now. Sad.
😢
I really admire and enjoy your work… and the incredible passion you have for your subject matter. My dad sailed on S.S. United States in 1962 in first class, as a teenager with his grandfather. Thank you for your dedication to preserving a bygone era!
I'm from Philly and I'm obsessed with ships, this pier is right near the ikea, i'd go to the pier and just go stare at the SS United States for hours. I love this ship so much. Very envious that you got to explore her decks.
I actually raided her back in 1988 after 4 long-standing ice teas and had to jump from the upper deck ,avoid the lower two and got stuck in the tidewater mud below Thank gawd for Bobby
Watercore ,he came back for me and we all got away ! Gawd it was great to be young & badass back then . Thanks MO & Robin ,couldn't have done it without y'all.
Should read Long Island ice teas
I watch your channel without video due to being at work or the gym. You do a great job of giving enough information and story telling to coherently understand without needing visuals!
It's so nice to see the story of a ship that was wholly successful as opposed to being a disaster. Feel-good vibes.
Yes , I Love the memories I had as an 8 y/o on the SS United States ..
Leaving New York in 1963 on the transatlantic voyage , my Mother and 5 y/o Sister ventured to SouthHampton without our husband and Father .. he had to work and allowed us to travel to visit my Mother's family . Both my parents were born in Scotland ..
Shuffleboard was a keen sport that we enjoyed ,
our young age 😊
And Mother had us sing 'Hey There Georgie Girl' and 'These Boots are Made for Walking' in an entertainment spot ..
What a privilege to be such a part of History 🚢
My father was on the United States in 1965 on a eastward trip from NYC. He said that he spotted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor several times. Glamorous!
I've never really given the SS United States much thought but after this video I've come to love her, she is a remarkable vessel and its tragic she's in the way she is. Regardless though this video was bloody amazing thank you so much for the constantly engaging, interesting and informative content, please please keep it up!
I drive by this ship all the time for years, recently saying to my kids it’s an eyesore that should be scuttled into the Atlantic. I am shocked by this rich history and let’s see if it can find a second life. Thanks for making this exceptional documentary as usual.
In my youth I took the SS United States in 1957 from New York to Southampton with my family. It was a memorable trip including swimming in the swimming pool. 😅
Absolute best video concerning ships I have seen. My father helped in her construction. His gang was responsible for forming steel plates that would be used on her hull. He often called her 'his' ship. When she left Newport News for her sea trials, dad took the family to the coast of Hampton Roads to watch her sail out to see. She was so large, beautiful, and majestic. Maybe one day, she will have her beauty returned. I wish you could have shown her being constructed. Once her hull was completed, photos were not allowed to be taken. Only workers knew what secrets she contained inside her hull.
Another classic video! Good job Tom!
Outstanding work there Tom , you and your team have surpassed yourselves with this wonderful look at such an icon . Thank you so much for putting all the time into this documentary , truly deserves to go viral
Ships from that time period had so much charm and class. Now it's so commercialized the charm is basically non existent. I would love to see this old ship be brought make to her glory days with modern updates to the safety and mechanics.
Hi guys, I just wanted to let you know I thoroughly enjoyed this post.
Thank you.
James. Australia 🇦🇺
You have a splendidly dignified voice and - may I say as a Canadian 🇨🇦 - a wonderful American accent. I could listen to you for hours.
You are such an amazing historian! I really enjoy your documentaries as the the effort and quality truly shows. Keep up the great work!
I sailed on the SS United States from New York to La Havre. It was a wonderful voyage and I have so many warm memories. It was such a surprise to see this video on Y-Tube. I have so many mementoes from my trip that I would like to share. Eva
The Studebaker automobile also used a lot of aluminum and alloys as well and the 1941 Commander had a one piece curved glass windshield. Many other 1sts were accomplished by the orphan car companies. Rambler had the 1st factory seat belts. Buick had ashtrays that had vacuum hooked up for easy emptying while traveling through forests and hay fields
Holy hell man, I was amazed with the animations on the Collins line vids but I've never seen animations like this
Another wonderful documentary. Watched this on my commute to work and enjoyed all of it. Thank you for putting in all the hard work and sharing it with us.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the support!
I sailed on the SS United States in June 1957 from NYC to Southampton and was berthed in the 1st Class cabin #2 Port side Sun Deck. It was a fabulous cruise that I will always remember. Your video brought back many fond memories. I returned to the US aboard the sister ship SS America in June 1959. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this video! Great job! But I wanted to tell you that that gray Hall China “mug” is actually a bean pot, used for baked beans. If you find an old Hall China catalog, it will show that it is a bean pot rather than a handleless mug.
Interesting
I've loved this ship for years. I hope the conservationists can get the money to save her. I'd love to sail on her one day.
Edit: Apparently she's undergoing restoration for a static hotel, and she'll never sail again. That breaks my heart, but I guess it's better than her going to the scrapper. I guess it prevents her being lost at sea as well.
That's old news. $700 million+ is what it would take. Every company is gonna roll over laughing and run for the hills with that price tag. Hotel or refit and running again.
Won't happen. It's going to rust some more. You can buy brand new working ocean liners (plural) for that price.
I'm sure companies explored the option. And I'll gurantee they ran as soon as they crunched the numbers. That's what you saw back in 2021.
Finally had time to sit and watch. You have outdone yourself with this one, Tom! absolutely amazing. I’m a member of the SSUSC and I know every bit helps.
Do you have any information on the RXR Reality deal ? . Thanks .
great narration, super music and the insert of old archival photos of what is now is a great way to depict what was a spectacular piece of engineering of the day
Like the work of Mr. Gibbs, WELL DONE. I believe your reference to a "Baby Grand," in reality was probably a full-size concert grand piano.
Love your videos!
I ❤ only God and my family.
This ship being docked in Philly is what lead me to cruising. Firstly I knew a woman who's family moved to the US on that ship many decades ago. Then in recent years anytime we went to ikea, I'd stop in the parking lot and stare at the ship. Eventually we started cruising thanks to seeing this ship so often :)
This was a good final video to watch before I shut everything off for this new college semester. Having spent a summer volunteering aboard the retired Navy destroyer, USS Cassin Young (DD-793), I can now easily take one look at the United States' interiors as they currently are and identify her as a Navy vessel. This was a phenomenal documentary you and your team have done on her, from the incredible UE5 animations - one of which I almost mistook for real footage it's that great - to the never-before-seen areas inside the ship that are still semi-preserved as they were, namely, the lower cabins and corridors which weren't fully stripped. You guys were incredibly lucky to have gotten this opportunity from the Conservancy, and I wish them all the continued support in one day restoring this beautiful liner - a dream come to life, a technological masterpiece, America incarnate - for a second life, shining out as a beacon for all to see.
I still call rubbish on not building her to 1,000' though. When the Panama Canal was originally built in 1903, the original locks were 110' wide. It's obviously gotten wider since. The United States is 101.5' wide. My very rough estimation is that, if she were built to 1,000' rather than 990', that her width would have been only a foot wider at most, at 102.5'. Still plenty of space to squeeze through the canal, surely. X'D
Also, two remaining questions. One: couldn't USL have just kept her cruising speed at 35 knots after her maiden voyage rather than slowing down to 30-32? After all, that was her designed service speed, and her range called for sailing ~10,000 miles without refueling, while still maintaining 35 knots. Yeah, more speed means more fuel, but surely it couldn't have been that much more? It would drastically set her apart from the competition: while every other liner would take 4-5 days to cross on average, the Big U could regularly cross in 3, making her a premium feature on the Atlantic run.
Two: suppose Prohibition wasn't a thing in the 20s and that the Leviathan got to experience the same mostly flawless and perfect career that the United States would 3 decades later. Considering it was briefly the most popular ship on the Atlantic after its maiden voyage, how successful do you think its career would have been in the long run?
They slowed the United States down because its running mate, the SS America was a 22.5 knot ship. USL had no real need for her great speed, but the Pentagon (that subsidized most of the cost of construction) did. They wanted a large troopship that could fit through the Panama Canal and also had the speed to outrun enemy submarines.
another well documented and educational video
I was a small kid with my Mom when we sailed that ship in 1964 from New York. I think we stopped at Rotterdam and then Bremenhaven. I have some old pics, but I really only remember the indoor swimming pool.
When you observe her from directly above, you can see that she was built for speed! With her long, sharp bow she looks like a dragster at the strip waiting to take off. Amazing, beautiful ship!
Those 3d animations are amazing! What software did you make them in?
Unreal Engine 5
@@R0ckmans do u have to be a programme and learn code to do that kind of stuff?
@@randomrazr there are many tutorials on UA-cam some very good ones.. and unreal engine is free from the epic games launcher.. anyone can learn it.. the skill is the artwork.. and being a competent 3D artist .. I wish you well
@@eventhori3on u dont need to learn coding for that kind of work? 1010111
@@randomrazr you can for more advanced scripts but no you don't need coding necessarily.. although it's good to have
Is there any possible way you could do an episode on the S.S. American Star?
Same!
Talk about a Gold Plater.
With the USS Texas dry-docking and maintenance having a cost around 18-23 million USD iirc, I'd guess dry-docking the SS United States for maintenance would be somewhere around the hundred million benchmark.
Made me want to go back in time and work as a steward on it. People may have complained at the time of the drab interior, but expensive looks are not the same as inherent quality. More than one hotel I've worked in would like to have a dinning area like those on the SS US. They were very well thought out.
Alas, I digress.
It was an outstanding documentary, Tom & Emma. Well done. If you ever get selected for a prize on documentaries, you sure have my vote.
All the best to you,
Cheers.
Wonderful,We sailed on her twice, eastbound to leHarve,1966 and 69,first class,courtesy of the United States State Dept. My father was chief medical officer for the American Embassies 'behind the iron curtain'.(Balkans) We took a new 66 Ford along as well. Family donated all the paper,tickets, streamers,menus etc to the Steamship Historical Society, R.I. THANKS for the memory jog,you did an outstanding job !
It is both heartbreaking and disgusting that our government can spend millions of dollars protecting and serving illegal aliens each year but they can't find a way to save and restore one of our greatest legacies. In the early 60's i was on board the SS Simon B. Buckner, a victory ship left over from WWII and being used as a troops transport. One night we were met by what looked like a wall of lights that made our ship look like row boat! It was the SS United States. She was just so big and so beautiful. I have never forgotten that awesome sight. Hopefully a way can be found to bring this grand old lady back to life and to her former glory.
I sailed aboard the United States with my parents when I was a child in the early 1960’s. My mother worked for Mr. Gibbs, so we got to sail on her a lot. I remember the turtle races, and how we all dressed up for dinner in those days. It was so lovely. The huge cruise ships of today cannot compare. It breaks my heart to see that beautiful ship rusting away like that. So sad…
The algorithm needs to get on the ball. This is prime content.
I listened to this video this morning while working around the house. Now, 12 hours later, my wife & I are enjoying the visuals together. Great video, thanks.
Excellent documentary! I was 12 yrs old when my family sailed the United States from France to New York. My dad even had his Packard shipped back to the States on board the ship. The car was originally shipped across to Europe on the Andrea Doria, which we sailed on three times. I still have some "souvenirs" that mom took off each ship. Some cocktail silverware from the Andrea Doria and a Vanity tray from our cabin on the United States. We always traveled first class. I was so fortunate to have sailed both ships. It is truly sad to see the ship stripped and not even having the glorious exterior painting in tact.
🚢. I joined friends on a cruise late in scheduling once, so the only cabins remaining were on the lowest level, same as the Ships Staff/Enployees.
I didnt want a roomy, so I had the room to myself and I had a Porthole! I slept like a baby in a cradle.
It was close to both the Exit for excursions and "the Anchor", that was a "Wake-up Call" when they dropped Anchor, the Chain was quite noisy.
I still so enjoyed my cruise, had a fabulous Steward.
The following cruises I booked Suites, except for my next to last, I booked the Penthouse, and it was Fabulous. Has 2 prepared Coctail Parties and we had Bunko in my Dining Room twice. A Jacuzzi on my Balcony.
Wish I had done this many more times. Always take time to treat yourself 1st Class. Be good to your you.
Bon Voyage! ⚓
🗽 This Ship deserves some Respect, Service and /or Historical Status and Protection. Let her offer Transatlantic Cruises again.
⚓ 🚢 🇺🇲
My parents and I sailed on the Blue Riband voyage. I was two years old and my first memory is of that voyage. Your wonderful documentary triggered other memories of the ship. My parents were first class passengers, and I remembered the promenade deck, the children's nursery, and other things. Thank you, it gave me goosebumps seeing her in her glory...
As an over the road truck driver, I passed by the ship many times. Goosebumps every time. Somebody please restore this boat !
Enjoyed your coverage of this beautiful ship. As a lifelong Philly resident I have always appreciated this vessel and wished to see it come back to life in some way, but such is life.
When I reported aboard my First Navy Ship the SS United States was on the other side of our pier at Newport News Shipyard. She was beautiful 50 years ago and still is.
Thank you for the tour and how to help in her Restoration.
I came across from England when I was 15 in the 60’s on this ship. Interesting to see this video about it. I’m 75 now. Thanks for the video.
Love the early morning uploads!
Tragic how she's been allowed to deteriorate, but so glad she's still there. The overlay of the historical pictures over the current structure was amazingly well done.
I965 for me, at 14 years old. 2nd class cabin on the starboard side,about midships. My Dog was in the kennels on the portside. Southampton to NewYork in 5 days. Excellent food ,had my own Steward, as there were very few passengers on that run. Saw an immense school of false Killer Whales one afternoon, there was over one hundred of them,and they kept up with the ship for about half an hour. Absolutely wonderful,unforgettable experiences ! I consider myself immensely lucky to have had the experience. Flying just does not compare!
I absolutely love seeing Amos in these videos. Everything he's talked about with me makes so much more sense now!
This was the most comprehensive video about this beautiful ship. I hope they can save her. Great job.
I love this channel! Every documentary on these luxury liners are so fascinating. Thank you for sharing your passion with us, as you’re so thorough and knowledgeable and you leave no questions unanswered. Fantastic job about a luxury ship I never knew even existed. Absolutely amazing!
My dad was in the USAF in 1961 and we came to the SS United States from England to NYC it took 5 days. It was a real vacation for my mom, room service, just hang a sign on the door and the beds were made when we got back to our room.