Lot Essay
The nautical whereabouts of the trials of the fastest liner to cross from the Bishop Rock to the Ambrose hight were jealously guarded, as were the details of her engines which remained on the U.S. Navy secret list for years. A ship of powerful genius, designed by William Francis Gibb she was built and fitted out with steel aluminium and lightweight, fireproof materials. On 3 July 1952, the United States left New York for her maiden voyage to Southampton and Le Havre. Her razzmatazz, style and speed - she was the last liner to hold the Blue Riband - made her much sought after amongst Transatlantic passengers. Not for long however. As crossing 'the pond' by airoplane became cheaper, fewer passengers affordedthemselves the spiritual luxury of sea travel. She was laid up in 1969. Harbour strikes by tugmen and stevedores in the United States finally ended her latterly uneconomic career. She remains at a pier on the Eastern Seeboard, hoping for a buyer or possibly world circumstances causing her to sail once more for the U.S. Navy.
On her trials in 1951, somewhere off Nantucket she is rumoured to have achieved a speed of over 40 knots - 52,000 tons moving at nearly 50mph.
On her trials in 1951, somewhere off Nantucket she is rumoured to have achieved a speed of over 40 knots - 52,000 tons moving at nearly 50mph.