Today was a little bit of a nostalgic day for me. It brought back memories of a childhood adventure some 60 years ago.
My father was a career Army officer, and in the 1960s, our family had the opportunity to live in Ankara, Turkey, for several years.
When his assignment ended in 1966, we packed up and drove from Turkey across Europe to Spain. Think about that journey for a moment. Driving across Europe today would be quite an adventure. Now imagine making that trip 60 years ago, in the middle of the Cold War, passing through countries like Yugoslavia that no longer even exist.
After spending some time vacationing in Spain, we returned to Italy, where we boarded the magnificent SS United States for our voyage across the Atlantic to New York City.
At the time, I was just a young boy, probably more interested in exploring the ship and playing shuffleboard than appreciating the significance of the journey. But looking back, what an extraordinary experience it was.
Today, November 11, 2026, the SS United States is being deliberately sunk in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle, where she will begin a new chapter as the world’s largest artificial reef.
Seeing the news brought back memories of that voyage and a very special time in my life.
I still have my childhood passport, complete with my bow tie photograph and the faded immigration stamps from countries we traveled through all those years ago. Little pieces of history that somehow survived six decades.
It’s funny how something in the news can suddenly take you back to a time and place you haven’t thought about in years.
And as I think about that magnificent ship settling onto the ocean floor, I can’t help but smile at the possibility that perhaps one day I’ll get to visit her again.
Only this time, instead of walking her decks, I’ll be wearing scuba gear.
Wouldn’t that be something?
#SSUnitedStates #OceanLinerHistory #ColdWarMemories #ChildhoodAdventures #MaritimeHistory #AdventuresWithDuncan
