The SS United States has been docked at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia for over two decades, but it faces eviction amid a legal battle with a landlord over back rent.

Why it matters: The ship's caretakers fear a piece of American history could be lost forever if the ocean liner is evicted and can't find another home.

Behind the scenes: The 1,000-foot vessel is bigger than the Titanic and became the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic during its maiden voyage in 1952, eclipsing a previous record held by the RMS Queen Mary.

• The federal government helped pay for the vessel, which could've been deployed as a troopship in wartime. Instead, it was used as a transatlantic liner, carrying famous passengers such as Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney.

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