Off topic SS United States

Alan S. Levy · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2008 10:03 pm

At this minute on PBS there is a show about the liner. Check it out if you can.

p51 · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2008 11:13 pm

I'll have to check that out, as when I was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, I used to go to Philly every now and then to check out the ships at the Naval yard (which I've heard is now abandoned) and look at that old aging gal. DANG, she's freaking huge, can see her funnels from miles away!

junior · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 7:01 pm

The Navy Yard is not "abandoned" but being redeveloped. There is a ship builder now located (Kaverner) in the Yard building cargo ships, as are other industries and housing too... and yes, there still are ships stored in the Yard for the Navy....I doubt they will ever be used again, but its still a presence.

the SS United States is just a sad sight to see.

Steve Singer · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 5:17 pm

junior wrote:

The Navy Yard is not "abandoned" but being redeveloped. There is a ship builder now located (Kaverner) in the Yard building cargo ships, as are other industries and housing too... and yes, there still are ships stored in the Yard for the Navy....I doubt they will ever be used again, but its still a presence.

the SS United States is just a sad sight to see.

Sad and unfortunately true. I drive by the SS US about twice a month & she's just rusting away- but at least she is still with us.

p51 · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 10:30 pm

Steve Singer wrote:

I drive by the SS US about twice a month & she's just rusting away- but at least she is still with us.

From the SS US website:

Quote:

The new SS United States Conservancy will partner with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in preserving the ship's unique and storied history. NCL purchased the SS United States in April 2003 and has initiated a nine-month feasibility study on converting the liner back to active passenger service. NCL recognizes that it has acquired the crown jewel of the American merchant marine and shares the Conservancy's goals of preserving and celebrating the ship's historic legacy as it works to revitalize the vessel to meet current government regulations and cruise market standards

With fuel prices being what they are, I can't imagine something big would be worth the while to rebuild back to liner status. Although if it ever was, I'd sure book a voyage on her!

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 10:16 pm

Agreed, her steam plant is toast in this fuel market. Fuel economy alone dictates a complete gutting and repowering.

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 11:35 pm

Maybe it might be possible to remove and preserve the steam power plant intact for a maritime museum?

Kevin Gillespie · **Posted:** Fri May 23, 2008 7:39 am

NCL bought the SS United States and the SS Independence in exchange for a waiver to allow their newer tonnage to work in the Hawaiian market. Since they bombed in the market, the SS Independence is now on the beach at Alang, India along with the SS Norway. I have a bad feeling the United States will soon follow.

mxdata · **Joined:** Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 609

If I recall correctly, this ship has 248,000 horsepower on four shafts, and in her day she could develop a higher speed backing than most cruise ships today can achieve going forward. The economics of operating this plant are pretty close to those of several classes of fossil fuel burning aircraft carriers the Navy has scrapped. It would be a very challenging job to convert this vessel for use in the highly competitive cruise market.

MX

davew833 · **Posted:** Fri May 23, 2008 4:14 pm

The "Big U" is on the Nat'l Register of Historic Places. Would that restrict what NCL can do with her?

Here's a recent article (this month)

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Travel/Busine ... 136&page=1

It seems to indicate that NCL would give preference to selling her to someone who would preserve or restore her to operation, but we all know how money talks!

Kevin Gillespie · **Posted:** Fri May 23, 2008 9:44 pm

The problem with restoring the Big U is that you could build a modern "Boxboat" for half the cost. She has also been completely gutted on the inside, so scrapping her would be easy, and no asbestos abatement would be necessary.

Needless to say I'd like to be proven wrong.

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 2:14 pm

Kevin Gillespie wrote:

NCL bought the SS United States and the SS Independence in exchange for a waiver to allow their newer tonnage to work in the Hawaiian market. Since they bombed in the market, the SS Independence is now on the beach at Alang, India along with the SS Norway. I have a bad feeling the United States will soon follow.

Actually, she is currently in Dubai. Her owners are hoping to find someone in Dubai or Greece who will buy her and use her as a hotel/accomidation ship. Of course, the Norway/France went this same route before ending up on the beach at Alang.

It is also my understanding that in order to lower it's center of gravity, the SS United States has an aluminum superstructure on a steel hull. There was a layer of rubber between them to prevent corrosion; but it has rotted away, and the superstructure needs to be replaced. Finally, her hull is too fine (narrow) to hold enough paying passengers; compared to a new build.