SS United States

Welcome to the waterfront of South Philadelphia. If you stand here, just past the buzzing traffic of Columbus Boulevard and the parking lot of a nearby strip mall, you will behold a sight that defies the modern landscape. …

As we make our way across the gangway and step over the threshold, you can immediately feel that you are on a floating vessel. Depending on the tide of the Delaware River, she might be pulled a few feet further out, swaying ever…

We have now arrived on the upper decks, stepping into the ghostly remains of the first-class suites. The contrast between what this space is today and what it was in nineteen fifty-two requires a profound leap of the imagination. …

We are now standing in the heart of the ships social life, the First Class Main Dining Room. Take a deep breath and look upward. …

We have stepped out onto the magnificent Promenade Deck. This expansive, enclosed corridor runs along the flank of the ship. …

We have finally stepped outside, emerging onto the sweeping bow of the ship. The wind immediately hits your face, a stark contrast to the stagnant air deep within the rusted corridors. …

We have climbed the exterior stairs and entered the ultimate command center of the vessel: the Navigation Bridge. This elongated, curved room is where the captain and his officers orchestrated the movements of this massive,…

We have now reached the very highest point of our walking tour, the open observation deck situated just below the towering radar mast. The climb up the steep, narrow exterior ladders was an arduous workout, providing a stark…

We have descended through the dark, echoing stairwells, moving far below the waterline into the absolute belly of the ship. The air here is heavy, cool, and smells faintly of old oil and damp iron. …

We have returned to the upper decks, stepping back out into the daylight of the Philadelphia waterfront. As our walking tour of the SS United States comes to a close, take a final moment to lean against the rusted railing and…