The United States took the record from the Queen Mary in 1952 with a record crossing taking 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, at an average speed of 25.39 knots. She is heavily subsidised by the US Government and, although outwardly a luxury liner, her speed potential is far greater than she has ever shown and she is basically an extremely fast Government personnel transport ship. An Air Force One of the oceans.

By the time the United States had hit the water for the first time the travellers of the Fifties were going by air, the jet engine had reduced journey times to a matter of hours rather than days.

Still, the half empty giants were ploughing backwards and forwards across the north Atlantic, losing money, losing custom, their wide decks and great rooms no longer echoed to the sound of excited voices and laughter.

The era of the Blue Riband was ended.

Click here to read about a typical voyage from New York to Southampton.

I was contacted recently by Kent German who is an American writer and liner enthusiast. He has some very interesting news about the United States and has kindly agreed to let me link to his article.

Click here to find out more.

Click picture for full screen version.