Free Republic

Scrapping looms for veteran linerTime seems to be running out for the venerable SS Norway. The former liner that helped launch Norwegian shipowners' venture into the cruise industry will reportedly be scrapped if no buyer steps forward by next week.The vessel continues to be owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), but hasn't sailed since an explosion in its boiler room in 2003. The explosion and fire killed several crew members.Vastly in need of expensive renovation, the vessel has since been berthed at Bremerhaven in Germany. NCL initially announced plans to repair the vessel, but the Associated Press reported Friday that...

Explosion on cruise ship kills 2, injures 20 By RICHARD BRAND rbrand@herald.com A boiler room explosion aboard the SS Norway, docked in the port of Miami-Dade, killed two and injured at least 20 crew members and startled tourists returning from a one-week carribean vacation. The blast does not appear to be an act of terrorism, just ''an unfortunate accident,'' according to a senior Miami-Dade police officer. However, additional police were moved to the port as a precaution. Nearly 50 Fire-Rescue units from Miami-Dade County, city of Miami, and Miami Beach responded to the explosion, which occured around 6:30 a.m. The...