S.S. America was designed in the mid 1930s

S.S. America was designed in the mid 1930s by William Francis Gibbs of Gibbs and Cox as a modern American liner intended to replace the aging S.S. Leviathan and serve as the foundation for a future flagship. Construction began at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1938, with her keel laid on August 22, and she was launched on August 31, 1939, just one day before the outbreak of World War II. Delivered on July 2, 1940, she measured 723 feet in length and was powered by Parsons steam turbines producing over 34,000 shaft horsepower, giving her speeds above 24 knots. Her design featured a sleek black hull, flared bow, long enclosed promenades, and two distinctive San Pan funnels, later raised to improve smoke flow. Her interiors were among the most advanced of any liner of the time, designed by Smyth, Urquart and Marckwald using modern materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramics, with standout spaces including a two deck main lounge, a circular smoking room, an elegant ballroom, and a mosaic tiled indoor pool.

In 1941 she was taken over by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as USS West Point, converted into a high capacity troopship capable of carrying over 8,000 personnel. During World War II she transported more than 350,000 troops across multiple theaters, often sailing alone without convoy protection, relying on speed and maneuverability for defense. She survived bombing near Singapore, a torpedo near miss off Brazil, and repeated combat zone operations without losing a single life. Returned to civilian service in 1946, she resumed transatlantic operations between New York, Southampton, and Le Havre, becoming a flagship of United States Lines and a symbol of American design and service. Despite her popularity and multiple refits, including conversion to a two class liner in 1960, competition from air travel and labor disputes led to declining profitability. After 24 years of service, she completed her final voyage in October 1964 and was sold to Chandris Lines, ending her career under the American flag after 288 voyages and over 476,000 passengers carried.