Chasing The SS UNITED STATES!

In July of 1996, the S.S. UNITED STATES arrived in Philadelphia after being towed across the Atlantic from the Ukraine, where her asbestos insulation was removed. The 1952-built, 990 foot ocean liner, which held the record for fastest Atlantic crossing at 35.59 knots (40.96 mph) was slated for a rebuilding into a cruise ship or landlocked hotel and attraction but that situation evolved and several more owners have since come and gone. Meanwhile, the ship is still in Philadelphia, having been moved upriver to her current berth 82 from the Packer Marine Terminal soon after this footage was shot. Peter Knego, your MidShipCinema host, was in New York on business at the time and took a train to Philadelphia, rented a car and took footage of the ship from every possible location. Knego was "smuggled" into the terminal past security to get up close shots and then actually rented a helicopter for some spectacular aerial views of the legendary liner. At the time, the UNITED STATES had been out of service for 27 years and ironically, it is now 27 years since this video was taken. Currently under the care of the SS UNITED STATES Conservancy, new, highly detailed plans for the ship's preservation as a hotel and convention center have been drawn up but finding an available berth in a willing port remains a challenge. Hopefully, there is still a future for this beloved vessel. Music licensed from Artlist includes: "Fur Elise" by Raviv Leibzi; "Eureka" by Ardie Son and "Prelude In E Minor" by Ada Ragimov #ssunitedstates #unitedstateslines #oceanliner #blueribband #fastestship #oldships #ssusc #ssunitedstatesconservancy