The S.S. United States, one of America's legendary ocean liners, is today docked on the Philadelphia waterfront. The ship--more than one hundred feet longer than the Titanic--stopped carrying passengers in 1969. Today it is in disrepair, and is largely gutted. It was purchased in 2003 by the Norwegian Cruise Lines company, and will presumably, at some point, be seaworthy again.
The S.S. United States plays a part in The Lucky Strike Papers. In June of 1952, days before the ship's maiden voyage, the last telecast of Your Hit Parade, for the 1951-1952 season, took place on the ship. The telecast from the ship, it turned out, was my mother's last appearance on the program.
The Lucky Strike Papers features a number of photographs, taken on the ocean liner in 1952 , during rehearsals for the Hit Parade broadcast.
Seen here: the United States in 2000. (Photograph copyright Jenny Lynn)
