The Superliner United States...At Your Service!

[@knowshet313]

The good old days. We’ll never see the like’s of this again. Quality and Service a thing of the past. Pity that.

[@markdietz8245]

My family sailed westbound on the United States in 1967, in December. It was a rough crossing but the ship cut through the massive waves like a Navy Cruiser! I was only 13 but remember the ship well. It was spotless and impeccably maintained. The public rooms were beautiful and the service was great. We travelled in Cabin Class, It seemed pretty luxurious to me. I was sorry when we arrived in New York because we were having a great time. It's a real pity that someone can't come up with a plan for this American classic.

[@lisapetersen150]

My dad and his family immigrated from Germany in this beautiful ship in 1955. He was 17.

[@lisapetersen150]

They took a train from Hamburg to Le Havre France, then sailed to New York. From there they flew to Utah. He told me being on that ship it was an amazing experience!

[@atomsmash100]

Finding footage of the SS United States, particulary the interior, is difficult. This video is a gem!

[@seandonahue87]

Maybe you already know but ss united states conservancy has several pretty good videos on KZbin

[@ChrisNatchez]

Supposedly, there was a guy who offered a pier at Red Hook New York for her to be kept at for minimal to no cost until she had a plan made for her restoration. Sir, if you're out there, we need to save this icon. She deserves better than to be a rotting hulk on the bottom of the ocean. SS United States Foundation, are you listening?

[@martinsuter3531]

Wow! This video really did it for me! For my next trip to Europe I'm definitely going to book passage on the SS United States!😅

[@LordXsi]

I think this footage is originally in color and much higher def…at least I think I saw some fragments of it like that…

[@arnieeastlick4232]

Marti O's comment illustrates one of modern society's greatest ills: the lack of appreciation of our past; bemoaning its limitations while ignoring its accomplishments. Somehow a large segment of people have come to see material and technological progress as the enemy while embracing regression. We've gone from hope in our future to fear.

[@davidtrindle6473]

There’s a lot to fear, given we are destroying the human habitat at a frightening pace.

[@bradjames6748]

Not really, what we fear is an entire generation (guess who) that phones everything in, if you don't believe me look at all the recycled movies and TV shows, I don't blame them I blame their parents

[@agairinc]

‘ “Enjoying there last part of the evening with a walk outside battling a 40+ mph breeze across the deck”

[@paralyzes]

😂

[@hifijohn]

I was on the ship when I was 8.

[@artlaudenslager3102]

Me too, but I was 7. What an experience.

[@michlo3393]

You could depart Southampton a full day ahead of the _United States_ and by the time you arrive in New York, you can watch her sailing back out to Southampton.

[@MarkWick]

I remember watching either the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth leaving Le Havre 45 minutes ahead of our departure on the united States, then passing her when were were 15 minutes out.

[@amesavis]

a lost time. i grew up thinking all this old stuff was so ugly but i can see it's simple beauty now and easy to clean style. how far we have come from this dress up style. they practically went to bed in ties and high heels

[@steveg2890]

Great film! The funny thing is, I’d rather she went half speed so I could enjoy the ship longer.

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

THE most elegant and ship de lux ever made! I had a Revell model of her once.

[@stuartlee6622]

The Asbestos Queen. And no wood. All cold metal. The crew were almost all homosexuals.

[@sharronneedles6721]

@@stuartlee6622 minus the asbestos a cruise full of cold metal queens doesn't sound like such a bad vacation

[@PorkChopJones]

What an amazing adventure this must have been for those that could afford it. This video reminds me of the Travelogues that were shown on TV back in the 1960's. They were always very informative and made you wish you were there.

[@perceive8159]

I remember this ship and seeing it on the news making it's final voyage and again setting a speed record in 1983 or 1984 before being mothballed.

[@agairinc]

The only draw back to this ship is being outside. Hard to imagine enjoying yourself in a 40 mph wind across the deck. Speed is always good

[@DerpyPossum]

then again, there was an enclosed promenade, which probably helped.

[@PorkChopJones]

I agree, they must have been all asked to go on deck for the photo shoot. I noticed one guy asked for a blanket, lol

[@CJODell12]

Even at that speed, The Big U had almost no uncomfortable vibration so common on fast ocean liners in the 19th and 20th centuries

[@bradjames6748]

Damn I miss the days when North America built its own shit......

[@65gtotrips]

Your choice of adjectives is inappropriate as ‘sh*t’ isn’t a synonym for well built products.

[@Kaidhicksii]

God, I wish she was still sailing. So much untapped potential and so many what-ifs. As long as we're able to save her though, then that's all that matters. Still though, New York-Le Havre-Southampton-Bremerhaven. What a beast. :D

[@zedwpd]

They are trying to restore her right now

[@satunnainenkatselija4478]

Many dream of saving old ships, very few shovel out the cash endlessly. Say this ship cost $500 million to build. It takes $50 million a year to maintain. Maybe somewhat less when laid up. But the maintenance debt must be at least one hundred million.

[@kay9549]

@@zedwpd unfortunately they should have considered that prior to gutting her out over the years. Such a beauty; still holds the riband after all this time for transatlantic travel

[@kay9549]

@@satunnainenkatselija4478 her cost to build was 79million in 1951; to restore in this time would be a cost perhaps unheard of.

[@barryvincentredmond3973]

Nice to watch footage of this great ship in its heyday.Sad to see her now in Philadelpia stripped bare snd facing an uncertain future.

[@J.M.Chadwick6]

And now it has been decided that she will be sunk as a reef! How very sad! Where is the patriotism in this country? Gone to hell!

[@johnfitzgerald2339]

14:30 "Bob Hope Gets a Permeant".

[@williamdixon1992]

Most beautiful ship ever built. I have seen it several times on my layover in Philly. I hope it will be restored. The Queen Mary is making money in Long Beach. The Famous SS UNITED STATES can do the same!

[@johnfranklin5277]

As far as beauty goes the QUEEN MARY is the winner. She is very beautiful inside! The SS UNITED STATES was never known to be beautiful, mainly because she didn't have any beautiful woodwork inside.

[@keithbrown8814]

​@@johnfranklin5277QElizabeth was a more beautiful ship than Q Mary...imho!

[@williammoreno2378]

But the interior of the "Big U" is completely gutted. That and it being ignored for decades, it might be best to sink it as a reef and diving attraction. The u.s. govt subsidized around 70% of its construction. I would think they would have "repo'ed" it and taken good care of it at the same time u.s. lines poning up their share of the cash to keep it from wasting away after taken out of service. IMHO, inexcusable.

[@williamdonahue6617]

Travel nowadays would make the kennel or cargo hold on this ship hold seem like the new First Class. Unlike on today's flights, you wouldn't have a person across aisle cramming their massive carry-on into the storage bin while shoving their backside into your face.

[@MIKES0029]

Great video

[@Tedjenkins55]

An empty shell (literally) of her former self.

[@williammoreno2378]

Sadly, yes it is.

[@Dragon43ish]

....and the ship was 80% Fire Proof!

[@CThyran]

Just ignore the asbestos.

[@65gtotrips]

That’s so foreign to many of us who grew up from the mid 1960’s onward…a ticker tape parade for the Captain (Commodore) of a civil ship.

[@wambutu7679]

A world that ain't coming back.

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

:( Queen Mary 2: IM IN DANGER

[@mikedrown2721]

The woman at the beauty shop with the curly hair looks like Bob Hope wearing a wig

[@PorkChopJones]

She sure does! I'm not saying she's ugly, but if she forgot to close her cabin door at night, I doubt anybody would come inside.

[@lawyerlarrry]

Now I can’t wait to get to that part of the video. 😹😹😹😹

[@lawyerlarrry]

Hahahaha. 14:23

[@mrFalconlem]

Plain woman was glad to get something to eat. Lol. I guess people had all kinds of jokes about her homely ass. Have to remember a lot of these people were dirt poor growing up.

[@divox9pqr]

LOL…for sure…Good observation

[@Mike-fj2ln]

Nice!

[@garrydavis3475]

Very sad to see it now

[@HorizonAndrew]

And now this beautiful ship is going to be rotting away at the bottom of the ocean.

[@lawyerlarrry]

And now it’s rotting away in South Philly.

[@ShipHistory]

Check out the United States Conservancy. They are working to raise funds to save the ship.

[@stuartlee6622]

I SAW IT WHILE PASSING FROM THE AIRPORT. SO SAD. WHY stupid Philadelphia??

[@Dragon43ish]

Now your slammed in to jet liners like sardines! Happy flying you fools.

[@hmtrimworks7148]

It’s being moved this week from Philadelphia to the Gulf of Mexico to be scuttled as a artificial reef and to attract tourist divers

[@65gtotrips]

So when the Boeing 707 came to be, Pan Am airlines tried its best to mimic the accommodations of luxury ships such as this; Passengers were accustomed to being treated and pampered as it was the overall experience that mattered as much as the end destination.

[@lbowsk]

The narrator sounds like Peter Graves. Anyone know?

[@kay9549]

It does sound like that individual

[@brianhall1129]

Some of the comments on here just go to show how simple selfish and narrow minded people are no appreciation for nothing but have no problem disrespecting everything all of you could use a serious education in humanity and a cut back in self-indulgence. Today's society disqust me in every way

[@gabrielvazquez7147]

There's a saying in Spanish that translates more or less as follows: "What do donkeys know about saffron." Some people just lack appreciation for quality because they are incapable of seeing it thru their narrow world-view. A donkey has no idea how rare and expensive saffron is.

[@oniondeluxe9942]

These times are not to be experienced anymore. The times when a man with a decent occupation could have his own typist on board.

[@brober]

Since Ike is the ex president. This looks to be early 1961-63.

[@seethevolcane]

Didnt YT say 1951?

[@brober]

@@seethevolcane 1961.

[@PorkChopJones]

Yes in those days the rich ate Pheasant under glass, Quail....Goose or Lamb even with Onion Soup and Frog Legs! Not to mention the best wines from around the wurld! I think they still it that today...oops!

[@jrocco36]

Our host sounds like its Don Ameche

[@christianhill9217]

Sad this is gone like forever 😢

[@simonf8902]

Swell ship

[@kippd2265]

Swell indeed

[@gk2811]

And which great Atlantic Liner will continue to attract the public while this wreak spends its time as a home for fish?

[@zsrqpooha]

This ship still exists but is in trouble please support!

[@ChrisNatchez]

Amen.

[@rdbjrseattle]

9:25 Is that a Coast Guard “Cape” class 95 foot patrol boat?

[@broum6523]

Bellissima nave

[@carlrudd1858]

Filming this documentary in B&W was also a crime.

[@mikecio1]

Nowadays they turn the shop around in a few hours. Granted they aren’t loading cars. But it’s become more efficient. Can’t wait to dive her.

[@johnfitzgerald2339]

7:18 "WTF?!?"🐕

[@johnfitzgerald2339]

I watched to the end...never saw that dog released.

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

Nous sommes loin de l’élégance du luxe et du raffinement des paquebots Français…

[@tundrawomansays694]

Yeah. The French haven’t built anything worth while for ships in let’s see…oh forever.

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

France has built the most beautiful, the most luxurious ocean liners in the world… When the English building vulgar submarines ! Titanic, Carpathia and the Americans of the troop transports…😂😂😂

[@kevinchaffee9694]

The French ships were the most beautiful and elegant for sure, always with the best cuisine. The SS United States was the fastest ever built.

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

@@tundrawomansays694 🤣🤣🤣

[@bradleybabeaux5429]

Such a shame it's just left to rot in Philly. What a grand ship.

[@Saka22777]

37 knot. you need bunkers to

[@eurouc]

The average age passenger appears to be 75, going on 90

[@65gtotrips]

Wonder how many quoits or horseshoes went overboard ? !

[@stuartlee6622]

Why Bremerhaven??

[@DanielHCantwell]

A lot of military people traveled to/from West Germany on the SS US I understand.

[@stuartlee6622]

@@DanielHCantwell Oh! Makes sense then.

[@elkebrand4917]

​@@DanielHCantwell you are right at this time the US MILITAERY traveled from the US to Germany through the Habortown of Bremerhaven. l lived in the City of Bremerhaven at this time and was always amazed to see this beautiful ship entering our Habor.

[@rongendron8705]

I've been on 64 cruises, with two Transatlantic crossings, one each way, a few years apart! At 76, I remember when the SS United States was new & dreamed of going on it then, but after seeing this video, I couldn't believe how unbelievably 'basic' this ship was! By today's standards, except for its speed, it wouldn't rank very high against the current 'behemoth' cruise ships! Disappointing!

[@lbowsk]

Dude, it was launched in 1951. Almost 75 years ago. Take a peek inside any 1955 Chevy and compare that to any of today's cars. Apple meets watermelon.

[@tundrawomansays694]

I don’t care how many “cruises” you’ve been on in your rowboat. I am deeply disappointed at your august age you have zero recall of history. You don’t rank very high among your contemporaries, OK Boomer.

[@mrrostien]

The reason SS United States is sat rotting is because she come to the race 20 years to late. She was built 20 years to late. The blue ribbon was taken from queen Mary 2 well to late. United States didn’t even have a 20 year service history. Mary and the QE2 had almost 35 years each. The rms queen Mary is a rolls Royce, the SS United States is a Oldsmobile custom cruiser.

[@michlo3393]

Easy bud. Don't be a hater. Everybody loves the Queen Mary. Why can't you give a little love to the Big U? She was sleek and modern, and the best-engineered ocean liner ever built.

[@jamesrobertson5935]

Neil, you should have your mouth washed out with borax. You are disgusting.

[@CThyran]

It's rotting because it's an ocean liner built less then a decade before airplanes would make oceanic crossings obsolete. Ocean liners are dead, with the Queen Mary 2 being the only one in service in existence.

[@garrydavis3475]

And now it’s just waiting to be taken out to trash

[@nickz5907]

Oh Please Mr. Announcer, the dog never had it so good as he's stuffed into a space smaller than most domestic electric range ovens. Not even a newspaper to read or piddle on, and what about serious business in this inhumane Cubby hole. I think most dogs would take the car roof rack on that long cross country trip to the Grand Canyon. Fresh air, frequent stops, motel room at night.

[@PorkChopJones]

I do agree with you Nick that dog kennel looked brutal. What a small tiny space to force a member of your family to stay inside for long hours at a time. This part of the film was upsetting to me as well.

[@davidhimmelsbach557]

Such pets were taken out and walked every day, one by one. That's what the staffer's job was all about. BTW, the pet's transit was an extra ($$) unless you're First Class. Of that, the price was so high, you could buy a new car at its price. Something similar is available today. The ultimate First Class on an A-380 through the Gulf runs ~ $80,000 on some flights. (There's only one 'cabin' so allocated.)

[@kevinstonerock3158]

When I saw the kennels I knew there’d be someone who thought it’d be cruel punishment. At the time this was filmed most pets would spend their days and nights outside regardless of the weather. This is actually a step up from their normal conditions. You seem to forget that most animals were acclimated to outdoor weather. There’s some breeds that can’t stand being indoors at all. The proof of this is the wake of destruction they create such as torn curtains and furniture not to mention shoes and anything else they can sink their teeth into. Just like cattle they’re accustomed to living outside and would seek shelter when conditions require it. I’ve witnessed too many occasions where dogs are inside and the conditions for their children turn into squalor. From the shedding hair to the dirt tracked back in from the constant “walking”, to the torn up floors from their claws, it’s all an indication they weren’t meant to live indoors. If the smell doesn’t give it away I can always tell if someone has a dog. All I have to do is take a look inside their car at the condition of the seats to know. It takes a certain twist of mentality to elevate the well-being of an animal above the LIFE of an unborn child. When this was made every passenger onboard knew the value of life but they had enough common sense to differentiate between life and quality. Before you try making the case for an excessive lifestyle these passengers still gave to charities however there wasn’t a charity that existed with the sole purpose of sacrificing life in order to live above their means. At the time, even the passenger rooms were smaller than the average living space. I haven’t heard anyone mention it being inhumane to humans. When traveling nearly everyone has to make reasonable sacrifices to get to their destination.

[@michlo3393]

Remember, this was a time before hipsters. People who worship their mindless followers - I mean dogs.

[@warningsigns4526]

sinking 9/17/2024

[@georgecosta7209]

Interesting film, not great quality, but nice view of the past? Although, I have to say the people were reminiscent of a wax museum.

[@betabilly]

Hmm, 1000 crewmembers making $6 a day to put up with 2000 wealthy and spoiled aristocrats.

[@agairinc]

That’s capitalism. Do need a job, or have you earned wealth starting with a job . I started with a job.

[@PorkChopJones]

I know right! Only rich people could afford this type of adventure. Funny they all know to buy Tuxedos and evening gowns. lol it must be an unwritten rule.

[@stuartlee6622]

YOU GODDAMNED LIBERAL 😈

[@lasuvidaboy]

The union crew onboard ss United States were highly paid for that time. That is why the ship needed a US taxpayer subsidy to operate. The passenger fares and cargo couldn’t come close to pay the ships extremely high operating cost.

[@lasuvidaboy]

@@PorkChopJones This featured only 1st class. There was also Cabin and Tourist Class. Tourist was equal to today’s economy class on aircraft.

[@increiblepelotudo]

"calls can be made to every part of the world". . . Can you imagine what that stupid call would cost you? Wow. What nonsense to be had on this petri dish on the waves.

[@MIKES0029]

Why watch when you clearly have some issue with ships?

[@rileywilliams9799]

@@MIKES0029 Well said.

[@tomservo56954]

I wonder who got to meet Ike and Mamie, or Burt Lancaster?

[@MarkWick]

I enjoyed my trip and arrived in New York safe and well. In fact, I safely made four voyages across the Atlantic and would happily do it again if this mode of transportation were available today.

[@conniethomas4753]

@@rileywilliams9799 or planes, trains & offices!

[@RoddCutts]

So cool and great to see

[@georgetrusty7696]

And I'm going to say this the only people group of people who have been really loyal to this country and it has been loyal to them is FBA we are the group that has contributed the most unlike any other pocs we have never tried to betray this country even though we get sliced in our back we never thought about outsourcing jobs lick it all 50 of the black towns that were burnt down here recreate businesses if we were left alone and not sabotage economically or physically the economy would be fine so give FBA it's reparations financial black Americans cuz I know some you got relatives that own car dealerships a home Depot real estate when fba gets those reparations all those businesses across the Nation will be making money it's going to be circulating and you don't have to worry about being outsourced to other countries in high volumes like what's happening with the migrants and plus they're getting more help from our government you're not going to see a return at least with FBA you got to see a return in less than 10 years. PS check our resume what we done for this country