SS United States Oh No!

I

ilanortho

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Bon Voyage SS United States
The SS United States, a historic 990-foot ocean liner, has begun its final journey from Philadelphia to become the world's largest artificial reef off Florida's Gulf Coast.

Tugboats are guiding the largest passenger ship built in America, nicknamed "the Big U," to Mobile, Alabama, where the crew will remove hazardous materials, including fuel. The process will take at least a year. The ship—more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic—will then continue its journey before resting roughly 180 feet underwater and 20 miles off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida. The ship will sit upright on the seafloor, becoming a habitat for marine life. The voyage follows a legal battle and decades of decay while the vessel has been anchored in Philadelphia since 1996.

The SS United States ferried four US presidents and hosted numerous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, and Grace Kelly. It set transatlantic speed records and completed roughly 800 crossings until its retirement in 1969 as air travel took off. See its history here. Explore the ship here (w/video).
 
It was neglected for years and years. Restoring it would really be cost prohibitive. After seeing pictures of it in it's current state, maybe it'll be a wonderful artificial reef....
 
Someone said that boats are a hole in the water into which you throw money. Imagine how much money you would have to throw into the hole formed by United States; especially as I understand that she has been gutted. That kind of money is simply not available. I believe also that owners of real estate were unwilling to accept the risk of being stuck with here if things didn’t work out. The owners of the pier had to resort to litigation to get her moved. Even preparing her for sinking will cost millions.

Roger
 
She was a lovey lady for her time and fast as heck. A little trivia that makes her more interesting, she was originally destined to be an aircraft carrier thus her top speed and HP were classified through the 60's when we were learning about her in naval architecture classes. It is sad, but she reminds me of Norman Bates trying to preserve his mother Norma Bates. It is a fine thing to let her go and do some good to the marine ecological system.

Allan
 
This country is infamous for disposing of or paving over it's history. The frigate Constitution's come so close to the breakers so many times, and with Musk-rat turned loose now, will very probably head that way again very shortly. The US gives zero s#!+s about it's history and is working very hard to not have any.
 
Look what has happened to the Nautical Research Guild. Its chairman recently described its founders, Howard Chapelle, et.al as “ a bunch of Nerds who built ship models” her actual words. Its journal is a shadow of its former self, and they have become obsessed with attracting new members to assemble kits instead of encouraging serious members to research new subjects. Scratch building? Not to be encouraged; it’s discouraging to beginners!

Just because something is popular does make it not worthwhile.

Maritime history? Naw, let’s go see the pirate ships at Disneyland!

Roger
 
I know this will not happen, since the ship it too far gone from neglect, but it would really be great if Trump would buy the hulk and restore it as a symbol of national pride, much like HMS Sovereign of the Sea was to the English in 1658, and as HMS Victory continues to do today. I'd gladly pay tax money to fund that. At the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, where I went to school, this is the painting that towered over us two stories tall in the mess hall (Delano Hall). I ate there under this impressive painting for four years as a Cadet Midshipman. The end of this ship is the end of an era of a strong maritime fleet for America. I heard that there are only about 80 cargo ships flying under US flag now.

1740206531511.png

This huge mural was recently restored, and removed to reveal the original WWII memorial behind it.

1740207344226.png

The mural was moved to Bowditch Hall.
1740207289517.png
 
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JerryTodd said:
The US gives zero s#!+s about it's history and is working very hard to not have any.
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Dear Jerry. Whilst I realise that this ship is an emotional issue for many people because of her history, I believe it best not to make generalizations like these. It is a contentious posting at best, so my advice would be to return to the topic at hand without any political slur or personal bias. Whilst they may have gotten this wrong, there are also many other examples where the US has successfully managed to preserve its national history.
 
I'm sure it's practical but still sad. My father worked on the United States while he was in the Newport News Shipyard Apprentice School during her build.
 
She was, I fear, long beyond saving. Even had general conservation efforts been undertaken immediately upon her being withdrawn from service, the costs of eventually removing the mountainous amount of asbestos and other toxins that were commonplace in ships when she was constructed would have taken millions of dollars and years of Haz-Mat expertise. Even had that been accomplished, her survival would not have been etched in stone. Remember, the majestic Queen Mary, permanently moored and converted to a restaurant/tourist draw, narrowly escaped a similar fate last year after falling over 500 million USD in debt.
I console myself with the small comfort of knowing that the grand American lady of the seas will at least escape the gross indignity of the knacker's yard and being turned into soup cans and razor blades. To use the martial term she will be on eternal patrol...eternal cruise, perhaps...and provide a valuable (and still beautiful in its way) home for the marine life whose realm she will share forever.
Here's my favorite image of her in her halcyon days, surging magnificently through the blue water with a bone in her teeth.
zzz.jpg
 
Bryian said:
Unfortunately the ship was full of asbestos, lead paint and other toxic substances. The clean up cost would be prohibitive.
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So was my home in Tucson and cleanup was outrageous for little guy like me - but somehow United States deserved better than my home which was not as significant. This country should have stepped up to the plate for its one of a kind heritage. (Yah I know - tax and spend yada yada).
 
Kilo66 said:
She was, I fear, long beyond saving. Even had general conservation efforts been undertaken immediately upon her being withdrawn from service, the costs of eventually removing the mountainous amount of asbestos and other toxins that were commonplace in ships when she was constructed would have taken millions of dollars and years of Haz-Mat expertise. Even had that been accomplished, her survival would not have been etched in stone. Remember, the majestic Queen Mary, permanently moored and converted to a restaurant/tourist draw, narrowly escaped a similar fate last year after falling over 500 million USD in debt.
I console myself with the small comfort of knowing that the grand American lady of the seas will at least escape the gross indignity of the knacker's yard and being turned into soup cans and razor blades. To use the martial term she will be on eternal patrol...eternal cruise, perhaps...and provide a valuable (and still beautiful in its way) home for the marine life whose realm she will share forever.
Here's my favorite image of her in her halcyon days, surging magnificently through the blue water with a bone in her teeth.
View attachment 502631
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Understood. Same applies for Cutty Sark, Victory and Notre Dame 200 years from now? The picture alone is magnificant.
 
The city of Superior, Wisconsin located at the extreme Western of Lake Superior hosts an historic ship. She is the steamship Meteor. Originally the Frank Rockefeller, she is the last of the 44 ships built in the 1890’s to a patented “whaleback design”. From 2005 to 2018, i worked as a volunteer on the documentation to declare her a National Historic Landmark (NHL). This involved attempting to understand the National Park Service’s (NPS) unbelievably complex rules and procedures. The effort eventually fell through due to hiring of a professional non profit manager who knew nothing about Maritime history. I did learn a few things.

First, there is little to no federal money available for preserving historic ships. I can name only one ship here in the USA that is supported by federal funds; the USS Constitution and that is because she is officially a “commissioned warship” of the US Navy, valued for her PR draw. Another possibility might be the ships on display near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and that would be because they are part of San Francisco’s National Maritime Museum. Otherwise, Federal funding would have to involve ear marked money via a law passed by congress.

National Historic Landmark status does not guarantee federal funding, but without it it’s almost impossible to get historic preservation money from anybody; government or private. The NPS criteria are based on a number of historical themes such as The Civil Rights Movement, The Labor Movement, etc. These themes were developed by Liberal Arts Graduates, not engineers, although I do believe that technology is mentioned. I suspect that United States’ decor would be of more interest to the NHL people than her power plant. I understand that these internal furnishings no longer exist.

And finally, I believe that the most successful preserved ships here in the USA are part of a larger museum; Mystic Seaport and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum come to mind. They have enough “critical mass to generate repeat visits, since something is always going on. Had United States survived she would have become part of a floating dining, entertainment, shopping venue. A far cry from her seagoing days.

Roger
 
At least she will be remembered as a beautiful ship for those who have the pleasure of diving on her and probably those who see her from tourist submarines etc . I only saw her once as she was leaving Southampton around 1970 and like all those beautiful ships they look majestic as they leave harbor . My favorite is the Oriana which is on my icon under Sydney Harbour bridge , I spent my 21st birthday as a Junior Third Radio Officer , I took my lifeboat certificate dodging circular quay ferries on her and spent 3 wonderful months cruising round Australia and then back to Southampton again many happy memories .
 
JerryTodd said:
This country is infamous for disposing of or paving over it's history. The frigate Constitution's come so close to the breakers so many times, and with Musk-rat turned loose now, will very probably head that way again very shortly. The US gives zero s#!+s about it's history and is working very hard to not have any.
Click to expand...
Yes, many relics have been left to disappear, but we have a few, and the culture is recovering. Have faith. All you can do is BE one of those that values heritage. I believe all of the other ship modelers here have pride in their respective nations, else why would we be so interested in historic ships?
 
Roger Pellett said:
Look what has happened to the Nautical Research Guild. Its chairman recently described its founders, Howard Chapelle, et.al as “ a bunch of Nerds who built ship models” her actual words. Its journal is a shadow of its former self, and they have become obsessed with attracting new members to assemble kits instead of encouraging serious members to research new subjects. Scratch building? Not to be encouraged; it’s discouraging to beginners!

Just because something is popular does make it not worthwhile.

Maritime history? Naw, let’s go see the pirate ships at Disneyland!

Roger
Click to expand...
So it's not just me who has noted the slip in quality over the past few years then...

Jeff
 
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