Joe Rota (left): Joe Rota standing in hallway in a blue suit and red tie. Behind him on a wall the silver United States Lines emblems.

Maiden Voyage (above): Many people were first enamored by the SS United States when she broke the transatlantic speed record on her maiden voyage. Setting a tone for American engineering and ingenuity, the SS United States continues to be the fastest transatlantic liner today. The image to the right depicts the Big U as she was welcomed back to New York after her maiden voyage on July 14, 1952. (Photo Courtesy of Ronald Jensh)

Smiling Faces (left): Crew members formed lasting relationships from working and living together on board. One of the great benefits of working on the SS United States was the crew accommodations and lifestyle. Clean spaces and good food only helped to facilitate the friendships that were made on board! This photo depicts Joe Rota, Johnny Rizzo (cabin class bellboy), Rita Denehy, Donald D. Denehy (Chief Photographer), John Francis White (Assistant Bell Captain), in Southampton, 1956. (Photo Courtesy of Joe Rota.)

Celebrities on board (right): The fame and luxury of the SS United States made her a first choice for celebrities and artists alike. As the ship photographer, Joe Rota was able to move behind the scened and capture celebrity sightings on board the Big U. This photo depicts the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí with an unknown guest. Dalí was best known for his work, The Persistence of Memory and could be easily spotted due to his signature mustache. (Photo Courtesy of Joe Rota.)

Star Spangled Crossing (left): The SS United States was not only a luxury, many believed her to personify American ideals. The 1955 Star Spangled Crossing advertisement situates the SS United States as a reflection of her namesake. When embarking, passengers often already “felt at home” as Rota said, feeling like they just stepped out of Europe and onto American soil. (In the collection of the SS United States Conservancy.)