#SS United States

[your-resident-boat-person]

I... uh... look. I hate cruise ships. Not conceptually, but in execution. They're too tall, don't have enough freeboard, have practically no draught, and are ugly to boot. I've seen some cruise ships that aren't horrendously ugly too, so it's not like they HAVE to be this ugly. Furthermore, I think there's too many passengers. On old ocean liners, you would often meet people and make lifelong friends on every voyage. If you met them on the first day, odds are, you'd eventually run into them again. When you have close to 10,000 people on one ship? That kind of thing becomes impossible. They're designed more like malls than ships. Old ocean liners had this sense of refinement and elegance. Hell, the RMS Queen Mary 2, built in 2004 still has this elegance (as well as cunards cruise ships, but to a lesser degree). I could get more into why cruise ships bother me so much, but we'd be here all day

It would be an insane disaster in every possible way, but christ, it’d be so fucking funny if the Icon of the Seas ran aground and sank

[oceanlinersmodeller]

Farewell, old girl. Farewell.

SS United States 2025. Digital speed painting study sketch.

[illustratus]

Aurora Borealis by Frederic Edwin Church

[rayenigma]

We were watching the SSUS being towed from her pier in Philadelphia on stream earlier, and my friend pointed out something that i absolutely CANNOT stop thinking about.

The parrarel here... it's insane. The sad and solemn scene of a once beautiful ship, built during an era which has now long passed, being towed to her final final destination... Welcome back The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner

[charonsferry]

There she goes. Seems like ocean liners are beautiful even in death.

After 30 years, the SS United States has left the Philadelphia dock where she rotted, and into history.

She is the ultimate holder of the Blue Riband, the unofficial yet widely praised record for the fastest scheduled trip across the north Atlantic.

A ship slightly larger than the Titanic, she's one of the last famous ocean liners of her size, but has been mothballed since the late 1960s, eventually having all her fittings removed, ruining hope of restoration.

When she is eventually scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico, she takes that prestigious title with her. As a youth, seeing something like her on the move with my own eyes is a once in a lifetime moment.

The second image is oversaturated to get an idea of how she appeared in service. We will likely never see such liners on the high seas again.

[malbecmusings]

Fair winds and following seas, Madam. 🌊⚓

[mercury--blues]

SS United States under tow off the coast of North Carolina. After languishing in Philadelphia for decades, and several attempts to preserve her failing, she is being sent to Louisiana to be sunk in the Gulf as a reef.

[silassstingy]

so fucking majestic it makes me wanna cry

[victusinveritas]

Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Photos of the SS United States on her final voyage at sea, somewhere off the coast of North Carolina. Taken by the captain of the tug "Vinik." Thank you David Silver for allowing me access. It's hard to believe this ghostly vessel is the very same ocean liner that once plowed through the North Atlantic at over 40 miles per hour, carrying 2,000 passengers in safety and luxury. She's now making 6.5 knots and his handling the rough seas quite well in spite of being 72 years old, a testament to her superb construction and design. If you squint, you can imagine her tearing through the ocean again.

Even in her watery funeral cortege, she remains proud and magnificent.

[erlandious]

Guess who celebrated their birthday by going to visit our gorgeous SS United States 🫶

Also, cameo of the USS New Jersey from across the Delaware!

[your-resident-boat-person]

I've been taking lots of pictures with my Nintendo DSi, and I wanted to share!

First, here's a bunch I've taken over a long period of time

[rms-mauretanic]

SS United States appreciation

[lonestarbattleship]

link to article

It's a sad day fellas.

[dutchs-blog]

SS United States begins journey down Delaware River, out of Philadelphia | How to track its voyage

The vessel has been a staple along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia for nearly 30 years

[zombilenium]

"SS United States," Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States,

Credit: FGoose

[rayenigma]

Bon Voyage!

At last, the inevitable happened and SS United States is on her final journey. While many of us are gathering for the funeral, I wanted to draw a piece with a bit more whimsy - so here she is!

Even though I live on the other side of the world, she's still a somewhat sentimental ship to me - I think she was one of the first liners I heard about! I don't know if I'll ever get to see her in person (I do have a diving certificate though), but a man can dream, eh?

Farewell, Big U!