Posted on 10/06/2009 8:47:30 PM PDT by GATOR NAVY
PHILADELPHIA -- Dan McSweeney has a few ideas for saving the United States.
That would be the SS United States -- the fastest ocean liner in the world. Bigger than the Titanic and fast enough to water-ski behind, she's a steamship so sophisticated, her capabilities remained a Cold War secret for decades.
She transported royalty and starlets. Her crew served frog legs in first class. Before the dawn of the jet age, the SS United States was the Concorde of her era. 'Big U' in Big Trouble?
Admirers call her the "Big U." Today, she could be in big trouble.
The once-proud ship is rusting away in the Delaware River, across from an Ikea. Its owner, cruise line NCL Group, has put her up for sale.
"This is the endgame," says Mr. McSweeney, a 39-year-old former active duty Marine officer with infectious enthusiasm for the vessel. Sometimes he goes on ship-touching trips, sailing into the river with a few like-minded individuals to put their hands on the hull.
Mr. McSweeney and a small band of the ship's most loyal fans fear the worst: That the Big U will get sold to "ship breakers" -- metal scavengers who will gut and fillet the SS United States on a beach somewhere in India, where many old ships go to die.
The symbolism isn't lost on them. "What does it say if the United States is towed to Asia for scrap?" asks Steven Ujifusa, another ship aficionado.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Bump, Thx.
PBS had a good documentary a few years ago... seems like a worthwhile project to spend a few million stimulus dollars on before they are wasted elsewhere.
this has been ongoing since the middle 1980s. they’ve never been able to pool enough investors to make it happen. considering the state of cruise ships now, i think there is no way they could ever make this happen. shame - she was a beautiful ship, but the world has changed.
My brother sailed aboard the SS United States from France back to the US in 1969 or 1970. I would surprised if this ship ever went anywhere under its own power post 1970-71-72. Indeed, googling “last voyage SS united states” it was effectively abandoned in 1970.
docked right in Philly, and impressive ship, it’s just wasting away
Like zero’s United States.
Sarah Palin needs to get out and start raising not money but
RAISING HELL.
WE MUST HAVE THE HOUSE IN 2010.
How about this one about its rival in the 1950s and 1960s? Someone wants to restore the Queen Mary I in Long Beach CA to ocean going conditions.
Won’t happen since the estimated cost is $1.5 billion and the the QM1 will likely sink once the breakwater around her is removed.
was hopin’ I seee an underway pic... one can guesstimate a lot from the stern wash...
I went to a reenlistment on the Queen Mary when I was stationed Long Beach in the ‘80s. They brought us champagne afterwards.
Can’t see her being restored to sea-going condition either, nor United States. The best United States can hope for is to be put in the same kind of layup as Queen Mary, preferably as a National Monument.
What did this thread have to do with Sarah Palin?
Let me guess that none of those people crying over it have raised a penny to buy it and make her seaworthy again?
thats true. But what city/state would do that? Philly?
man I have no Idea, posting mistake. lol.
Ah... she does go fishing in boats and she does love the U.S.?
That was good.. Thanks!
I remember all the machinery that was removed from her back in the late 70s or early 80s.They filled those areas with concrete to maintain the weight below waterline.Aint no way she will ever sail under her own power again.Sadly The SS United States seems to be destined to the same fate.
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