Ordinary ocean liners focused on luxury; ordinary military transport ships focused on armor and speed. The SS United States was built with the somewhat divergent aims of both speed and luxury. But then, she was no ordinary ship: designed by the renowned naval engineer William Francis Gibbs, the liner’s construction was a joint effort between the United States Navy and United States Lines. The U.S. government underwrote $50 million of the $78 million construction cost, with the understanding that in case of war the ship would be quickly converted into a troop transport.

On this day, July 7, in 1952 – during her first Atlantic crossing, the SS United States crossed the finish line to record the fastest Atlantic crossing ever: 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes. Loaded with a crew of 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew, she could reach cruising speeds of 37 knots, and go up to mid-40s when needed.

No other liner has ever come close to her speed record in that maiden crossing- nor is it likely that any ever will. The British Queen Mary and the French Normandy ocean liners also competing for the coveted Blue Riband for fastest transatlantic time could only manage cruising speeds of 32 knots, taking nearly 10 hours longer to make the crossing.