Once the pride of a nation and a symbol of American ingenuity, the SS United States still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by an ocean liner. Bigger than the Titanic, she embodied the spirit, ambition, and technological progress of her time.
But after nearly 30 years of sitting idle and rusting at a Philadelphia pier, this monument to the age of the ocean liner is now facing her final voyage—to the bottom of the ocean.
Not so long ago, the ocean liner was the undisputed leader of global travel. For decades, ships continually set new standards for speed and luxury, symbolizing an era when crossing the ocean was as much about the experience as the destination.
Today, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 stands as the last remaining ocean liner making regular transatlantic crossings, recalling the grandeur and great journeys of old.
From their introduction in the 1800s to their peak in the mid-20th century, these majestic vessels embodied innovation, luxury, and national pride. They transported millions across oceans, drastically reducing travel times and revolutionizing the way people saw the world.
Yet, the advent of commercial aviation in the 1950s rendered these icons of the seas obsolete almost overnight.
From Sailing Ships To The Ocean Liner
Before the advent of the ocean liner, transoceanic travel was a perilous endeavor on sailing ships that were at the mercy of the elements. The arrival of steam engines in the 19th century changed that forever.
Steamships offered unprecedented speed, reliability, and comfort, ushering in an era of innovation and competition among nations.
Ocean liners quickly became symbols of national pride and technological achievement. They offered luxurious accommodations that rivaled the finest hotels of the era for the wealthy, while also providing improved amenities for working-class passengers emigrating to start new lives.
Electric lighting, flushing toilets, and three meals a day were novelties for many.
The Golden Age of Ocean Liners
The early 20th century began the golden age of ocean liners. Vessels were celebrated for their opulence and technological sophistication, with the New York Times describing Lusitsania as “the largest and most richly appointed ocean steamship in the world.”
Despite the infamous tragedies of the Lusitania and Titanic, demand for ocean travel continued to rise, with true progress driven by the relentless pursuit of speed.
American, German, Italian, French, and British companies competed in the late 1920s and early 1930s to outdo one another in size, speed, and luxury, culminating in legendary races to claim the Blue Riband, the accolade for the fastest Atlantic crossing.
The unofficial title was coveted by ship operators to attract passengers and by nations for its prestige. Over time, 35 Atlantic liners claimed the title, though most held it only briefly.
It wasn’t just speed that drew headlines. Ships including the Queen Mary and Normandie became known as “floating palaces” that epitomized the glamour and prestige of ocean travel.
Winston Churchill was a frequent passenger aboard the Queen Mary, which now serves as a historic museum and hotel in Long Beach. Although the hotel rooms have been modernized, the attraction allows guests to experience its original opulence, from the Captain’s quarters to the first class pool.
During wartime, ocean liners proved their versatility, serving as troop transports, hospital ships, and cargo carriers. In peacetime, they ferried celebrities, business moguls, and hopeful immigrants, offering an unparalleled travel experience.
The Skies Above The Ocean Liner
As the ocean liner reached a new peak of demand, aviation was quietly preparing to revolutionize global travel. Early passenger planes of the 1920s and 1930s were slow, uncomfortable, and prohibitively expensive, but the technological leaps of World War II changed everything.
Pressurized cabins and jet engines made flying faster, safer, and more comfortable. By the late 1940s, the groundwork had been laid for a new era of transportation.
In 1952, the SS United States set a speed record for transatlantic crossings, completing the journey in just over three days. It was the pinnacle of ocean liner design and innovation.
That same year, the British De Havilland Comet, the world’s first commercial jetliner, made its debut. The Comet promised transatlantic crossings in hours rather than days.
However, a series of highly publicized disasters dealt a significant setback to the Comet.
But just as the Lusitania and Titanic disasters didn’t hold back progress on the water, the Comet disasters ultimately proved to be just a temporary hurdle in the rapid transition to the jet age.
The Decline Of The Ocean Liner
The introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1958 proved to be the real signal of change. It could carry over 180 passengers at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour, making transatlantic flights accessible to the masses.
Airlines began to outpace shipping companies in passenger numbers, and by the early 1960s, ocean liners were regularly operating at a loss.
Companies like Cunard, once giants of the industry, struggled to adapt. The iconic Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, which had dominated the transatlantic route, were retired by the late 1960s.
From Ocean Liner To Cruise Ship
While the ocean liner’s role as a primary mode of transportation dwindled, a new market emerged: leisure cruising. Companies adapted their ships to cater to holidaymakers, offering luxurious vacations at sea rather than point-to-point travel.
The concept of cruising wasn’t entirely new—the first purpose-built cruise ship, the Prinzessin Victoria Luise, had been launched in 1900—but the 1960s saw the leisure cruise market truly take off.
Vessels like the Queen Elizabeth II straddled the line, maintaining transatlantic services while also catering to the growing cruise market. Ships that once transported passengers between continents now offered itineraries focused on relaxation, entertainment, and exploration.
Instead of rushing to a destination, the journey itself became the highlight, in a similar way to the megaships of today.
Some ocean liners found new lives as dedicated cruise ships. The SS France, for instance, was transformed by Norwegian Cruise Line into the SS Norway, a luxurious vessel offering voyages around the world.
While not all ships could make the transition due to their fuel efficiency or interior designs that were focused on class-based transatlantic crossings, those that did often thrived in their new role.
Cruising offered something air travel never could: a leisurely, immersive experience. Passengers could enjoy onboard amenities, expansive decks, and the freedom to roam the ship, all while visiting multiple destinations.
Legacy Of The Ocean Liner
Today, few of the great ocean liners remain with only one in regular service: Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.
While a handful of ships have been preserved, including the original Queen Mary in Long Beach, many have not lasted the test of time. Sadly, SS United States will shortly join them. It will soon be sunk to become an artificial reef.
Yet, the spirit of the ocean liner lives on in the modern cruise industry, which owes its origins to these magnificent vessels.