Timeline of the SS United States |
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| 1948 | Serious planning begins on an American super liner, the life work of designer William Francis Gibbs, as a direct result of the fact that Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were enormously successful as troop carriers during World War II.
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1948 |
First model displayed of new super liner. Plans for ship approved by Maritime Administration. |
February, 1950 |
Keel laying of super liner, name United States chosen after many considered, including Columbia, Hudson, New York, and others.
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June, 1951 |
Official christening ceremony. The vessel was christened by Mrs. Tom Connally, wife of Texas Senator Connally.
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March, 1952 |
Dock trials.
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May, 1952 |
Official sea trials take place off Newport News. Later reported to have sailed 43 knots, 20 in reverse, with 241,000 horsepower. The most powerful liner ever built. |
June, 1952 |
SS United States delivered to her owners, United States Lines.
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July 3, 1952 |
Departs on maiden voyage for Europe. Makes crossing in 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, a new record. Westbound crossing, also a record, was made in 3 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes. Both crossings bested the previous record holder, the RMS Queen Mary, which had held the record since 1938. America celebrates their new speed champion. |
1950's |
Settles into a very popular sailing career, popular with American and European tourists alike. She often broke passenger records, and who’s who of society and hollywood sailed aboard her.
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1958 |
First transatlantic commercial flight to Europe. Within 4 years, airlines dominated travel to and from Europe.
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Late 1950's |
United States Lines attempts and fails to convince the government to aid in the funding of construction of a sister vessel to United States. |
1962 |
To offset a decline in passenger totals during the winter months, United States Lines begins a series of winter cruise programs for the SS United States. She often sailed to the Caribbean, South America, even Africa as a one class cruise ship.
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1964 |
The SS America, the older, smaller consort of the United States, is sold, under protest, to Chandris Lines of Greece. She is converted into the Australis, where she sails for 14 more successful years.
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1967 |
William Francis Gibbs passes away, age 81.
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1968 |
Government de-classifies secrets about the hull design and true operating speed of the United States.
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November, 1969 |
After reaching Newport News for her annual overhaul, the SS United States is abruptly laid up. She has been losing up to $5 million per year and was no longer considered viable as a commercial vessel or in times of war. Her operating subsidy was cancelled by the government, thus United States Lines was unable to pay for her operating expenses.
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1970 |
Vessel moved to Norfolk for permanent lay-up.
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1973 |
Vessel transferred to Maritime Administration, which installs dehumidification system aboard. Vessel is sealed.
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1978 |
Norwegian Caribbean Lines considers United States for conversion to cruise ship. Denied by the U.S. government (Big U could not be sold to foreign interests), they purchase the idle SS France instead, converting her into the highly successful Norway.
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1980 |
Vessel sold, for $5 million to Seattle developer Richard Hadley. He formed United States Cruises, with plans to turn the vessel into a condominium style cruise ship. Vessel dry-docked and found to be in sound condition.
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1984 |
With funding failing to materialize, Hadley authorizes the auctioning off of the vessel’s interior fittings.
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1992 |
Vessel seized by federal marshals and put up for auction.
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1992 |
SS United States purchased by Marmara Marine, and towed to Turkey for asbestos removal. Plans once again come forth to return the ship to cruise service, possibly in tandem with the Queen Elizabeth 2.
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1995 |
Vessel dry-docked, asbestos and lifeboats removed, and propellers lashed to deck.
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1996 |
Vessel returns to American shores.
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1997 |
Docks at Pier 82 in Philadelphia, PA, where she has remained ever since.
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1997 |
Vessel sold outright at auction to Edward Cantor, a New Jersey based developer.
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2003 |
A boiler explosion ends the career of the Norway, one time contemporary of the United States. Following a long lay-up, she is sold to Indian scrappers and demolished throughout 2008.
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2003 |
Upon death of Edward Cantor, United States is sold again, this time to Norwegian Cruise Lines, along with the SS Independence, for conversion to cruise service for their Norwegian America Lines subsidiary. Studies are undertaken, discussions of possible return to Hawaii cruise service in 2010.
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November, 2008 |
Queen Elizabeth 2 is retired after 40 years, sold to Dubai interests.
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February, 2009 |
With the worldwide economic collapse and the failure of NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Lines lists the United States for sale with a shipbroker. The terms of the sale stipulate that the vessel can only be sold to an American buyer for non-scrapping purposes.
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| 2009 | Ownership if the United States is transferred to NCL's parent company Star Cruises of Hong Kong.
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