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SS INDEPENDENCE

The SS Independence is one of the few major cruise ships built in the United States.  She was launched during the heyday of ocean travel in 1950 by American Export Lines of New York. And even when the golden age was over, she received more than $78 million in refurbishments from between1994 to 2001.

Measures 683 feet in length and 23,719 gross register tons, the SS Independence could accommodate 1,000 passengers, and up to 5,000 soldiers during wartime.   She was capable of cruising at 26 knots. 

The vessel, as originally designed, was made entirely of non-combustible or fire-resistant materials and featured extra hull plating, and two engine rooms so that if one were damaged, the other could keep the ship moving at a relatively high speed.

According to Life magazine, "It will house passengers in Henry Dreyfuss-designed cabins, apartments, and 'penthouses,' keep their shipboard spirits up with branches of Fifth Avenue shops, handsome public rooms and bars decorated with old tattoo designs, collections of ships in bottles and Early American silver. Late American devices include 125 feet of picture windows in the observation lounge, polarized glass in portholes to control light and glare, and bedside telephones from which a passenger can phone anyone within 5,000 miles."

SS Independence departed on her maiden voyage on February 11, 1950. She made her last trip across the ocean in February 2008 when she was towed out to sea from San Francisco.