SS United States
Built in 1951, and at 990 feet long, it still holds the world record for the fastest ocean going vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean in both directions. It was built in secret by the US government during the Cold war to be a troop carrier disguised as a ocean liner. I knew one of the marine architects that was on the design team at Newport News Shipbuilding. He was also on the ship during the sea trials, and told me that the other Navy ships that were escorting them couldn’t keep up. He said it was kept secret for a long time, but the ship was designed to run well over 45 knots with the full use of the 248,000 horsepower turbines. That’s almost 50 MPH for a 990 foot oil fired steam ship. It could also run 20 knots in reverse. What an awesome ship, it is a shame it wasn’t preserved and given the respect it should have been. In my opinion, it is the most awesome ship ever, even with the rust and decay. The streamlined look and swept back stacks makes it look like it is still speeding through the water, It is being cleaned out and stripped down to the decks to be sunk as an artificial reef off the cost of Florida.
