The launch of SS United States

One of the most iconic and beloved post WW2 oceanliners was the SS United States. A majestic ship, the largest of its type built entirely in the United States. Let's take a look at her launch day through the camera of  Alfred Eisenstaedt.

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For 16 months the great mass of steel taking shape in the busy shipyards at Newport News, VA. had been known simply as "Hull 488". Then one day later in June, under a bright sun, Hull 488 took on a new and historic identity. With traditional champagne ceremonies, she became the S.S. United States. The 990-foot vessel, longer even than the biggest aircraft carriers, was the largest passenger ship ever built in this country.

At the christening, instead of sliding down the ways, the United States was simply floated out of the drydock in which she had been built. There was no inclined shipway along the seabord large enough to handle her. When the waters of the James River washed in around her hull and she was nudged three fourths of a mile down-stream to her new berth, the 51.500-ton liner was 70% complete.  In her engines and decks and staterooms, when she enters the transatlantic service next year (1952 - my annotation), will be products of all the 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii joined the U.S. in 1959 - my annotation).She will accommodate 2.000 passengers and a crew of 1.000. And if the situation demands it, she will be prepared to serve her country in another way: the United States is desgined also for quick conversion as a carrier for 14.000 troops (the conversion never happened - my annotation). Afloat at last and tied up at the dock where she will be fitted out, the United States was a proud present for the nation on the 175th anniversary of its independence.

Awaiting launching in drydock, the two-stacker United States is seen in a broadised view. The fifty-five-foot-stacks are the largest ever built.

On its way to James River after christening, the liner squeezes through portal of flooded dock. Maiden voyage is planned for early summer, 1952.

Workman checks one of the ships four 34-ton propellers. Blades measure nine feet each.

(left) Scale model of ship was built during design stage of Gibbs and Cox, marine engineering firm. (center)Attentive onlookers, as water pours into drydock are designer William Gibbs, sister Bertha. (right) Hefty swing by Mrs. Tom Connally splashes christening champagne on ship, bystanders adn self.

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photos and documentation: LIFE Magazine (US) | Zetu Harrys collection