159 rare photos depict stages in ship's construction and its christening, intimate views of modern lounges, staterooms, dining rooms, promenade and pool, theaters, ballroom, and play decks. Captions. 159 black-and-white photos.

Originally published: The big ship: the story of the S.S. United States. Newport News, Va.: Mariners' Museum, 1981.

“A fascinating historical account…A snapshot of the American Dream culminating with this country’s mid-century greatness” (The Wall Street Journal) as a man endeavors to build the finest, fastest, most beautiful ocean liner in history. The story of a great American Builder at the peak of his power, in the 1940s and 1950s, William Francis Gibbs was considered America’s best naval architect. His quest to build the finest, fastest, most beautiful ocean liner of his time, the SS United States, was a topic of national fascination. When completed in 1952, the ship was hailed as a technological masterpiece at a time when “made in America” meant the best. Gibbs was an American original, on par with John Roebling of the Brooklyn Bridge and Frank Lloyd Wright of Fallingwater. Forced to drop out of Harvard following his family’s sudden financial ruin, he overcame debilitating shyness and lack of formal training to become the visionary creator of some of the finest ships in history. He spent forty years dreaming of the ship that became the SS United States. William Francis Gibbs was driven, relentless, and committed to excellence. He loved his ship, the idea of it, and the realization of it, and he devoted himself to making it the epitome of luxury travel during the triumphant post-World War II era. Biographer Steven Ujifusa brilliantly describes the way Gibbs worked and how his vision transformed an industry. A Man and His Ship is a tale of ingenuity and enterprise, a truly remarkable journey on land and sea.

This colourful history covers the SS United States' active service from 1952 to 1969, when she dominated the seas. Compiled from a wealth of previously unpublished material, this book is packed with historical photography from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States is the behind-the scenes story of one of the fastest ships in the world and one of the most luxurious passenger liners to cross the Atlantic. Follow Frank Braynard as he chronicles the life of the S.S. United States, the incredible feat of engineering that still holds the westbound speed record on the North Atlantic. --from publisher description.

The ‘SS United States’ was a great symbol of post-World War II American genius. She was the most advanced ocean liner of her time―modern, innovative and hugely powerful. Designed to be a commercial liner but easily convertible to wartime troopship, she entered service in July 1952, seventy years ago, to rousing triumph and success. She captured the prized Blue Riband for transatlantic speed, brought glory to America and her owners, and enjoyed great success for a full decade. But after trans-ocean jets arrived, her success slowly faded until fully decommissioned by 1969. Over fifty years of idleness, revival plans and schemes, and neglect and decay followed. To this day, the ‘United States’ waits silently at a Philadelphia pier. This is the story of a very great and beloved ship―her glory days, but also her days of struggle and indecision.