By: Kevin Trainor/Managing Editor, NVN. She was ordered in 1949. Construction began on Hull 488 in the Newport News, VA, shipyard in 1950. Christened, and launched on June 23, 1951. The S.S. United States at 990 ft., 101.5 ft. at beam, 180 ft. keel to funnel, 31 ft .in draft, at 53,290 tons. The largest liner built in America. The flagship of the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet made her first transatlantic voyage from New York on July 3, 1952. 3 days, 10 hours, and 49 minutes later she past Bishop Rock, off Cornwall, U.K., and smashed the Blue Riband crossing record by 10 hours. The Blue Riband was a big deal. Since the 1890’s the award was given to the fastest liners afloat. All vied for it, ships were built for it, a matter of national prestige, and worldwide honor to be sought. To this day no other liner has broken the record of the S.S. United States. She topped out on that maiden voyage at 35 knots, roughly 40 ...