While it may not rank among the largest vessels ever built, the RMS Titanic was the largest object to navigate the waters upon its launch in 1911. However, it has long since been eclipsed by the 990-foot SS United States, which commenced its maiden voyage in July 1952 and would tower over a New York City skyscraper if stood vertically. The Titanic measured 882.75 feet in length. Designers of the SS United States noted the Titanic’s limitations and equipped it with a larger rudder, enhancing its maneuverability. Yet, sheer length isn’t the sole factor in determining the size of an ocean liner. In many respects, the SS United States surpasses the Titanic.
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The design of the SS United States ensured it was just wide enough to navigate the Panama Canal locks, with a beam of 101 feet, allowing only 2 feet of clearance on each side. The Titanic, at 92 feet wide, could have also fit through. Although the Titanic could accommodate more passengers (3,547 versus the SS United States’ 3,016), the latter could have been converted into a troop transport, with capacity for up to 15,000 soldiers if necessary. A crucial metric is the ship’s displacement, which indicates weight; the SS United States boasts a displacement of 53,330 tons, compared to the Titanic’s 46,328 tons. Thus, the heavyweight champion in this comparison is undoubtedly the SS United States.
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Where’s the S.S. United States today?
While many are aware of the Titanic’s tragic demise and its resting place, the story of the SS United States is quite different. This iconic vessel never sank during its operational years and has remained a notable sight for residents of South Philadelphia, where it has sat idle for nearly 30 years. The vessel, however, has clearly seen better days, with rust and grime adorning its hull and fading paint marking its decline from the glory days of its record speed. Previously docked at Pier 82, the ship began its final journey down the eastern coast of the United States in February 2025, heading towards Florida.
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The SS United States Conservancy has chosen to repurpose the ship in a similar manner to what the Navy did with the aircraft carrier CV/CVA-34 USS Oriskany: transforming it into an artificial reef. As of now, the SS United States is in Mobile, Alabama, undergoing preparation to become the world’s largest man-made reef. Alex Fogg, the natural resources chief for Destin Beach, Florida, communicated to ABC, “There will be teams of upwards of 30 people on board pulling out all of those hazardous materials, the leftover fuel oil that’s still on board, wiring plastics, glass — all of those things that we can’t deploy will be removed.” Although it never sank on its maiden voyage, the SS United States appears to be facing a fate that parallels that of the Titanic.
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