Erma Mulrine of Newark, Delaware took a five-day voyage aboard the SS United States in 1953, and she’s now reflecting on the trip more than 70 years later, writes John McDevitt for KYW Newsradio.

“We had beautiful weather and the ocean was not rough,” Mulrine, the now 93-year-old remembered.

She also remembered that the amenities were luxurious with an indoor and outdoor pool and a dining room comparable to ones in the finest restaurants.

Beyond that, there was also a woman’s beauty shop, men’s barbershop, and an option to buy or rent an evening gown.

There had been a longstanding saga about what to do with the historic ocean liner.

Mulrine hoped that one of the other proposals, like transforming the vessel into a floating luxury hotel, would come to fruition.

However, it was instead sold to Okaloosa County, where the plan is to turn it into an artificial reef.

After nearly 30 years berthed at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia, the vessel will be towed to Mobile, Alabama, and stripped of hazardous materials in preparation for the transformation.

Despite this, Mulrine’s memory of her voyage from New York to France is one she’ll always have.

“It was an experience that I will never forget,” she said.

Read more about a woman’s voyage on the SS United States in KYW Newsradio.

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