In Sept. of 1967, my family crossed the Atlantic on the SS United States. I saved the menus.

[A HERETIC I AM]

65. i've been a fan of that ship for years

And yes, I'm aware of how she was designed.

For a vessel of its class, she still holds the "Blue Riband" for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.

She was capable of speeds approaching 40 knots, almost 45 miles per hour! ( or so it was rumored) She could do 35 knots without breathing hard.

She could be converted from full passenger service to troop ship within 48 hours

http://www.ss-united-states.net/SSUnitedStatesWebpageFiles/WebPages/PagesFacts.htm

The only flammable wood on board was reported to be the chefs cutting board and the handle on his knife.

She had a salt water pool for first class, which was emptied and refilled with sea water every night. This was one of the (minor) reasons she was not used immediatley for cruise service - no fresh water, outdoor pool.

Rumors of her either being pulled from service or used for Carribean cruising were rampant among the crew on the crossing we were on.

I think she should be restored and docked in New York at her old pier, but whether that happens or not is still up in the air.

Hopefully, it will. She needs to avoid the fate of the SS France/Norway, another great liner of her era. (cut up for scrap in Alang, India)