While good news for now, There is still a long, long road ahead.

I stand corrected on the geared vs. turbo electric drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_class_battleship
http://www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-038.htm

Wholeheartedly agree that USS Olympia should be saved. Haul her out of the water
and place her dry on blocks under a roof. No more weathering or major deterioration;
something like the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian and Dulles. Locate it at
the old Navy Yard at Philly, there is plenty of space and the proper facilities there.
It is perfectly accessible, just off I-95 and walking distance from public transit stops
at the Sports Complex.

The SS UNITED STATES, what an impressive ship, and what an impressive maintenance problem for whoever tries to preserve it. They may be able to get the shipping line to sell it for the price of a modern commuter locomotive, but the SS NOBSKA had seven hundred feet less hull length, and absorbed almost that much money before being turned into scrap metal. I wish them the best but it sure looks like an uphill climb to find a use for this vessel that will pay for its upkeep.

PC

I love the United States too, and am a Boatnerd at heart, but the fact remains if she can't pay for herself or her upkeep, especially in the stripped condition she is in, there are a heck of a lot of other historic vessels that could use the support. Preservation is becoming an all out war these days --- and when fighting a war, having the resources to keep things going and a way to keep the money coming in should be the first thing they figure out before anyone slaps a paint brush to her.

TJG

Indeed, with the cost of materials alone to do a nice paint job on a locomotive now running around $20K, can you imagine the cost for paint removal, surface restoration, and repainting the SS UNITED STATES? Then the vessel needs complete interior restoration, new heating and air conditioning equipment, new electrical distribution systems and diesel generators, and new sewage collection, treatment, and transfer facilities, plus whatever gear the Coast Guard is going to require if she remains afloat. It will be difficult to get there by selling bumper stickers, souvenir ashtrays and china place settings. I hope there are a few billionaires out there who like ocean liners.

What this ship needs, in order to save it in the long term, is a good commercial use that generates enough revenue to guarantee its survival. Unfortunately just about any commercial function for this vessel (convention center, hotel, etc.) other than being a usable ship can be done on shore more effectively, with better access, and at less expense.

Regarding the USS OLYMPIA, I think the transfer of the ship back to the Navy is a very good move. They have the ability to put her into a floating drydock with a couple days work and could use the operation as a training exercise.

PC

I understand that one of the bigger problems in the 'Big U's restoration will be to replace the rubber underlayment separating the aluminum superstructure from the steel hull to prevent corrosion.

The Navy does not have Scrooge McDuck's money vault. Besides, Olympia is not within their mission. It doesn't have a thing to do with watching the Bears or Dragons, or keeping the oil flowing. If you forced it onto anything even close to Government, it would end up as an artificial reef, about 4 miles off Cape May, in 250 feet of water.

Whether you repair the USS OLYMPIA or sink it, the site has to be dredged to get it out of there, and the Navy has the final say on what happens to the ship anyway.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/05/2 ... ay-be.html

PC

The "United States" was built for $70 million, in 1950's dollars. She operated for 19 years as a popular liner, but at a consistent loss. Retired by the Nixon Administration, she was put in the reserve fleet and finally auctioned off for something like $5 million. At last, she was towed to Turkey (by a German firm) for asbestos abatement, then towed back for resale. She passed from hand to hand until NCL purchased her. Now she's to get sold once again, proving the adage, "a boat is a hole in the water, into which one pours money". I want her saved, too, but this ship has been an open artery for cash. My only thought would be to anchor her in the Hudson, near the "Intrepid", and use her as a floating convention center. If you think maintaining a steam locomotive is expensive, whooo-eee! You ain't seen nothin' yet!
Good luck and God bless the ship and her devotees.

Recent good news;
The Lenfest Foundation has offered help.
http://www.lenfestfoundation.org/

There is still much to do. Basically the fire in the paint locker is out and the torpedo in the ammo magazine has been defused. We still have flooding, a 15 degree list, the boiler fires are out, and a hurricane is bearing down. My Harrisburg Submarine veterans base is touring this coming Saturday. Just like the chooch biz; Come and ride, spend some money, tell and bring your friends.

The New Jersey Artificial Reef Commission's plan, as reported here just before 4/1, 2010, is in about 130 feet of sea water.

I question weather the navy has the final say on the Olympia, it was my understanding that they don't own it anymore, it was disposed from their control long ago, thus they probably have little interest, unless it was politicaly motivated.
Perhaps the best "save" would be for a group to get it and get repairs donated?
Now, with the United States... saving her was difficult, even with 5 million, the conservancy will be hard pressed to do much while paying for that dock space.
has anyone thought about renting space in the James river reserve fleet? I read somewhere that the navy/MARAD spend about $19K per year,per ship to maintain those ships- why not store the SSUS there? I'm sure something could be worked out to allow the conservancy to send out people to do work, like painting,etc....

Just to clarify due to thread drift, is this the Olympia we're talking about, or the United States? I know the SSUS is being purchased with Lenfest Foundation money, but is he getting involved with the Olympia too?

If the current fury over toxic metal contamination from the ships in the reserve fleet in Suisun Bay, CA is a hint of things to come for the other reserve fleets, I wouldn't plan on storing anything in one of the reserve fleets. There are plans to dismantle that fleet, and I suspect that the pollution issues would be the same anywhere in the country.

Regarding the question of who actually has control of the USS OLYMPIA, this sentence which is posted on the ISM home page may be pertinent:

"The Navy has advised ISM that they are willing to authorize ISM to responsibly dispose of the Olympia."

So the newspaper article linked earlier saying that the Navy has to give approval for the disposal of the ship appears to be confirmed by the ISM website.

Also be aware that the Navy sent a team of surveyors to determine the extent and probable cost of dredging to remove the vessel from the site. Regardless of whether they plan on restoration or reefing of the ship, the site has to be dredged and the hull repaired adequately to survive a tow without sinking in a ship channel, unless they load it in a floating drydock to take it out to where they plan on sinking it.

PC