A Man and His Ship - The Quest to Build the S.S. United States

[Buckocaster51]

My copy arrived earlier this week and I am wading my way through it.

So far it has been a righteous read.

Can't say that I had heard of William Francis Gibbs prior to opening this book. I always enjoy reading about something that is entirely new to me. With the exception of the Titanic, I know very little about passenger liners.

Have snuck a peak at the photos. It appears that the S.S. United States was (and still is) a handsome ship. The epitome of the North Atlantic passenger ships.

If you ask, I'll bet your local library has a copy.

[cj11l]

That is one sweet ship. I happened to see it some years back when we were in Philly waiting for our cruise ship. Up until that point I had never heard of it. It was an impressive sight sitting there in the dock ( I love the looks of the older ships ). I will have to check out that book, thanks for the heads-up!

[choupique]

My father was stationed in Germany in the mid 50's. When he was reassigned back to the states my parents, sister, and myself traveled from Bremerhaven to New York on the United States. I was about 2 years old and have been told I was the only one who didn't get seasick. I know it was quite formal because I saw the passenger list and it had me listed as Master Mike. What a hoot!

[Buckocaster51]

Originally Posted by choupique

My father was stationed in Germany in the mid 50's. When he was reassigned back to the states my parents, sister, and myself traveled from Bremerhaven to New York on the United States. I was about 2 years old and have been told I was the only one who didn't get seasick. I know it was quite formal because I saw the passenger list and it had me listed as Master Mike. What a hoot!

There you go!

You've done something people just can't do anymore.

Way to be Master Mike!

[Slow Reflexes]

I had a model of that ship as a kid - my dad bought it as a father/son project, and pretty much built it himself as he didn't want me to screw it up. I think he let me put the flags on it.

Anyway... very cool ship. Still holds the official transatlantic passenger liner speed record, I believe.

[TeleDrifter]

I remember seeing it from fire fighting school in Norfolk Va in the late 70's. It was sight if you've never seen one before. Shortly after that I read in the paper that everything was being sold off, silverware ect...

[flyingbanana]

Thanks for the post.
Always been fascinated with ships...explored the Queen Mary too many times to count. When I was younger and before the higher security they have in place now. This was also before people were paranoid.

Here's a little info on another ship...SS Independence. Equally interesting.

http://telstarlogistics.typepad.com/...k-peek-in.html

[Leon Grizzard]

When I was 8, we travelled from the US to France on the S.S. America, the United States' sister ship. I had a shipboard romance.

[KevinB]

I see her at the Philly dockyards whenever I drive down to Philly airport.

She's still a beautiful sight.

[Paul in Colorado]

The last time I was on the Queen Mary I heard that there was a group trying to raise money to restore and preserve the SS United States. Does anyone know more?

I had a plastic toy SS United States that I played with in the bathtub as a child. I must have sunk that ship a hundred times just to see the bubbles coming out of the smoke stacks.

[trev333]

We've got a mining magnate here in Oz called Clive Palmer....
starting to big note himself... spruking his grand plans...

he's going to build the Titanic 2.. in China.... to original plans with mod cons ...

[ILoveLorita]

I see it every day. Parked in Philadelphia near the Walt Whitman Bridge.