SS United States Celebrates 60th Anniversary - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Climb aboard the SS United States, and it's like taking a walk back in time.

"Its very emotional. I remember being on the bridge many times in the 1950s and 60s. There's not much left, but I have good sense of what it was like," said Charles Anderson.

Anderson, now 64 years old, first came on board as a little boy. His father was its captain from 1952 to 1964.

"This was his day room," said Anderson.

The ship is 650,000 square feet. There are 15 decks. It's the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic. It carried close to 2,000 passengers but was also built as a military vessel able to transport 10,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.

Susan Gibbs' grandfather designed it. She is still so proud today.

"Here we are on the Delaware River. With a little bit of imagination, you can see it storming across the Atlantic," said Gibbs.

Now, the magnificent ship sits docked in South Philly while there is a massive effort to save it. The SS U.S. Conservancy wants to restore it and build a museum so the public can experience what it was like to be at sea 60 years ago.

"The ship is such a symbol, emblem of America, our country's history. We are fighting to save it," said Gibbs.

The cost of a partial restoration would be $25 million. A full renovation with a museum, theater, and restaurants would cost up to $250 million.