On This Date In History – July 7, 1952 America's Flagship – The SS United States Passes Bishop Rock During Her Maiden Voyage To Set The Transatlantic Speed Record That Still Stands

America’s Flagship, the SS United States, departed New York seventy years ago on July 3, 1952 with great fanfare -- and high expectations. She was the epitome of American post-war innovation, engineering, and design. A new global ambassador for the nation, she was conceived by noted naval architect William Francis Gibbs, whose firm had been the designers of major World War II era warships.

Steaming to Europe on the SS United States’ maiden voyage were notable Americans, including Bob Hope and Margaret Truman.

On July 7, 1952, three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes after she left New York, at 6:16 a.m. Greenwich time the 53,000-ton superliner passed Bishop Rock, smashing the transatlantic speed record. She besting the previous record, held by the Queen Mary, by 10 hours 2 minutes.

About the SS United States Conservancy

A national nonprofit organization, the SS United States Conservancy leads the global effort to save and repurpose America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance, restoration and ultimate reuse of this iconic vessel and works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit ssusc.org