United States
S.S. United States
The United States was the last offical holder* of the presigous Blue Riband (Given to the ship for the fastest transatlantic crossing). She was designed by the lawyer turned Naval architect, William Francis Gibbs whose fondness for fire engines was deeply wrapped up in the design of the "Big U" as it was dubbed by loyal passengers.
In order for the United States Lines to obtain enough money to build the ship, she was designed to serve a dual purpose that interested the U.S. government. It was such that the United States with the idea that one could convert her into a troopship overnight. Designed in cooperation with the United States Navy and was built with absolute secrecy. In fact, when the United States Lines displayed a model of the United States at their New York City headquarters, everything below the waterline was hidden and it was not revealed until many years later that her top speed during trials was