by Ian Sebire

Maiden voyage. Two words that conjure up a unique sense of excitement and anticipation. Add the prospect of a record-breaking passage on the most prestigious Transocean crossing of them all and it is easy to imagine the thrilling atmosphere that surrounded SS United States and adjacent Pier 86, on the morning of Thursday 3rd July 1952.

Even as New Yorkers hastened to work on their early morning commutes, final preparations were in hand to welcome 1,660 passengers onboard William Francis Gibbs’ ‘big ship’. Many experienced travellers pointedly avoid maiden crossings, prudently they point out that crew, guests, and machinery are all novices and that ’teething troubles’ are almost inevitable. Nevertheless, the novelty of an eastbound first leg and persistent rumours about the liner’s extraordinary performance on trials off the Virginia Capes, had whetted the appetite of potential travellers and the American public alike.

As the morning wore on harassed crew members were inundated with the demands of not only embarking passengers but also a veritable army of 8,000 visitors. Many were attending ’bon voyage’ parties, others had simply paid their 50 cent donation to the seaman’s charity with the sole intention of snooping around those freshly completed interiors. Short of booking passage to Europe it was the next best badge of honour.

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