Funnels of SS United States to Be Removed and Preserved for Future Museum
The towering funnels of the legendary SS United States, an enduring symbol of American maritime achievement, will soon be removed from the historic ocean liner, now docked in Mobile, Alabama.
Standing 65 feet tall, each funnel rises the height of a six-story building, their sharply raked design conveying the record-breaking speed that once made the vessel the fastest ocean liner in the world.
Funnels of SS United States to Be Removed and Preserved for Future Museum
The aft funnel will follow shortly after the forward one, with both set to become the dramatic centerpiece of the future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience.
The remaining ship is being readied for a new chapter, deployment as the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida’s Destin-Fort Walton Beach, a move aimed at boosting marine life and tourism in the region.
Honoring “America’s Flagship”
Launched 74 years ago, the SS United States was a marvel of American design, engineering, and innovation. On her maiden voyage in 1952, she shattered both eastbound and westbound transatlantic speed records, a feat still unmatched today.
Known affectionately as the “Big U,” she carried more than one million passengers over her career, including four U.S. Presidents, celebrities, immigrants, diplomats, artists, and American service members and their families.
The ship’s sleek mid-century modern design and technological advancements made her not just a mode of transportation, but a floating symbol of national pride during the golden age of ocean travel.
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A New Museum Experience
To ensure her story continues to inspire future generations, the SS United States Conservancy has enlisted Thinc Design, one of the world’s top museum and exhibit design firms, to lead the planning of the land-based museum.
Known for projects like the National September 11 Memorial Museum, the Empire State Building Observatory, and Robert Ballard’s Challenge of the Deep, Thinc specializes in creating immersive, story-driven environments.
Thinc will partner with LMN Architects and engineering firm Buro Happold, while Gibbs & Cox, the original naval architects of the SS United States and now a subsidiary of Leidos, will lend technical expertise to bring the ship’s legacy to life.
“We are deeply committed to celebrating the enduring legacy of America’s Flagship,” said Susan Gibbs, Conservancy president and granddaughter of the ship’s designer. “By incorporating iconic components from the historic ocean liner into an architecturally stunning land-based museum, the SS United States will continue to excite and inspire future generations.”
Thinc Design founder Tom Hennes echoed that sentiment, saying, “From the moment we first set foot aboard the SS United States, we felt a passion for helping tell her remarkable story. We look forward to designing dynamic, interactive exhibits that create an unforgettable experience for all visitors.”
Preserving Maritime History
The funnels will join thousands of artifacts already preserved by the Conservancy, including artwork, photographs, film footage, and original furnishings. Other large-scale items slated for display include one of the ship’s massive five-bladed propellers, her pioneering radar mast with an integrated crow’s nest, and even cocktail bars from her original lounges.
Unlike many ocean liners, both of the SS United States’ funnels were fully functional, serving independent engine and boiler rooms located several decks below. Their preservation will ensure that visitors can experience the scale and craftsmanship of this engineering feat firsthand.
The museum will also feature immersive simulations of transatlantic voyages aboard the “Big U,” drawing from the Conservancy’s extensive collection of memorabilia and digital exhibitions, such as the current online showcase Food Tastes Better at Sea: Food and Dining Aboard the SS United States.
A Legacy Anchored on Land
When the SS United States first set sail, she embodied the best of American ambition, elegance, and ingenuity. Though her days on the open ocean are over, her story is far from finished.
Through the upcoming SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, this legendary vessel will find new life, educating, inspiring, and reminding visitors of the remarkable era when she ruled the seas.
Below is a video showcasing her funnels being removed. Before watching, please do subscribe.
We do hope to get on her before she is sunk later on this year.