America's Greatest Liner "United States" To Be Launched In June -- Latest photograph of the superliner United States under construction for the United States Lines at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia which will be launched on Saturday, June 23. This new flagship of the line, which will be christened "United States" is 60% completed. Largest liner ever built in the United States the vessel will be 980 feet long and capable of a speed in excess of 30 knots. She will have accommodations for 2,000 passengers and require a crew of 1,000. May 9, 1951.