The SS America was a ship with a legendary career - designed by legendary naval architect William Francis Gibbs, the ship served as an ocean liner, troopship, migrant vessel and cruise ship under no fewer than nine names including USS West Point, RHMS Australis and Italis. She was a legend in her own right - but it wasn't all smooth sailing. This is the incredible true story of the United States Lines' SS America.
Oceanliner Designs explores the design, construction, engineering and operation of history’s greatest vessels– from Titanic to Queen Mary and from the Empress of Ireland to the Lusitania. Join maritime researcher and illustrator Michael Brady as he tells the stories behind some of history's most famous ocean liners and machines!
0:00 Intro 1:18 Hard Times for the USA 3:33 Designing SS America 11:23 Sea Trials and Maiden Voyage 15:16 SS America Goes to War 20:10 The Happy 1950s 23:21 With Chandris Line - SS Australis 29:01 Venture Cruises' Fail 31:08 SS Italis and Mothballing 34:20 The End Comes for America