I agree that adding her to the New York City skyline as another tourist destination outside of Grand Central, the Empire State building would be another extremely challenging but ultimately, most logical place for her to berth in terms of generating income to sustain a maintenance program, let alone the cost of utilities, etc. A fresh water port while more favorable to her condition, seems to lack a urban center with cash falling out of their pockets, especially now. Timing as they say, is everything and too much time may have passed for an opportunity as the economy now sputters\ tanks. Nobody seems to have figured out what the "economy" doing. The experts seem as clueless as the rest of us as to the prognostication of tea leaves trending..
This is up and that is down .........and round and round.
All this is the context in the chances of saving this irreplaceable symbol.

If her interior had not been completely gutted of it's furnishings, I suspect the selling of the idea of repatriation by NY and her rehabilitation would have had more traction. Images seem to sell. Just as in the case of Denver Union Station, it could be a really great showcase for cheesy and inappropriate "modernization" but it's all for naught unless Trump, Buffet or Gates get their patriotic blood running up. I doubt it. A question I am clueless to is if NYC owns any waterfront docking facilities. All of this reminds me of the wag who likened NYC rehabilitation itself a "Disneyfication" of an urban environment. However, it worked.

Out of all of the moguls, Trump would seem to be the best card shark to pull it off, meaning the political pull and bully pulpit to yak his way into investor's wallets. I just don't see this happening other than in a pipe dream. Sad and I hope I am dead wrong about it. I can see some pathetic thing like a propeller mounted on a base with some little plaque attached to it....being it's "preservation"..Okay kids, use your imagination.

Not.

Fine then!! Meet God halfway. Buy a ticket. Tonight, and if you don't win this weekend, then retire this stupid "win the lottery" plan and make a realistic plan.

You don't make preservation happen by living in a fantasy. You do it Brick by Boring Brick.

You have to get her out of the water. A boat in the water is like a railcar outside. It may be where they live, but it's not where they live for long.

Since Olympia has been discussed here as well, I figured an update might be in order. According to this month's Proceedings magazine, in an article about historic naval vessels on display around the country, there is a move afoot to get the Navy to add Olympia to the Navy's historic fleet along with Constitution and another vessel that escapes my memory at this time.

Later!
Mr. Ed

I believe I've read that the Olympia is actually resting in the mud on the bottom, and that some of her compartments are tidal. I'm thinking that something like the Ticonderoga exhibit, up on land in Shelburne VT, would be appropriate here. Perhaps building a cofferdam around her and the sub, Becuna, pumping out the basin and putting them both up on blocks? No idea where the money would come from, though-

Recent coverage by CNN.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=sitenav#/video/us/2013/04/05/pkg-hoye-saving-the-ss-united-states.cnn

The article Mr. Ed mentions is here:

http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedin ... back-fleet

Regarding the Olympia, she is floating at all but low tide, and much of the water in her lower areas came from terrible leaks in her decking. The deck leaks have been sealed, and increased reliable pumping capacity is being looked into. Info from recent internet notes. First navy ship to use refrigeration, electricity, etc. While the SSUS would be a major loss, the loss of the Olympia would be tragic to our history.
The best way to preserve any ship is out of the water. With in-service dry docks at former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard only 5 miles away, there should at least be a safe way to get her into drydock for hull repairs.
Alan

I do not think this is by any means likely, but here is an interesting unsolicited proposal from a New York architect-provocateur that includes a role for the United States at Pier 40 on the Hudson River.

http://www.archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6588

No question. If the SSUS has to become frying pans so the Oly gets the work she needs, I'll go there and light the torch for the scrappers. The Oly needs to be preserved.The Oly wouldn't stand on her own in a drydock. My understanding is that her lower hull would probably collapse if it supported the weight of the entire ship. I've talked with people at the USS Texas and they have a similar worry. That ship is living on borrowed time, too.
They really need to land-lock these ships while they can. You'd think what almost happened to the USS Alabama during hurricane Katrina would be a wakeup call (she was listing quite a bit after the storm surge hit that battlewagon).

IMHO, sinking Big U as a reef is much better than scrapping.

I was part of a group that attempted to save my home for five years, USS America. The Navy finally used her as a research platform and sank her. It was depressing at first, but after some research, came to realize there are more Japanese battleships on this Earth than US battle wagons. And many of those Jap wagons have been located and explored... and will be for generations.

But it will cost big bucks to sink the United States. For the Navy it is cheaper to clean the ships and sink them than to scrap them, but it is still expensive.

The United States has a special place in my heart. When the America puttered up the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth, there was a place where it was like you could reach out and touch the United States. Or at least throw a potato and hit her.

Bob Bunge
PH 2
USS America 80-85

UPDATE on the Olympia, at least. Note the alleged presence of one big check-writer:

http://www.islandpacket.com/2013/07/28/ ... eship.html



More at the link, including the difficulties to be encountered. Multiply that greatly for the United States.

Amen to that. The ship would be explored for years to come.

Wesley

New Jersey Council of Diving Clubs did hear proposals for sinking both boats for the Artificial Reef Program. The "United States" would be basically a great big canoe, because the interior is so gutted, and the deck wouldn't last long underwater. The "Olympia" would have more surface areas for marine growth compared to its overall size.

At recent park concert, Jimmy and the Parrots was performing. A really fun concert. But Jimmy has written a song about preserving the SS United States, and performed his song. It's the first time I have ever heard a song about preservation.

The song is extremely well done. The music video has some great footage of the ship.

The Symbol of America

http://youtu.be/3lpfutmlrz0

The latest round of self-flagellation:

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/the-fight- ... ean-liner/