Fate of the SS United States

[buster]

It's a shame but probably a good thing. I've been tired of looking at it.

 

[buster]

I frequent Philly for work and there is great cheese steak place nearby. John's Roast Pork. Best around.

I have seen the ship a bunch and in the 20 years I have been traveling it has looked worse each visit.
Too bad it couldn't be saved, but at this point it is just not worth it.

They're good. Try these if you're in the area.

https://angelospizzeriasouthphiladelphia.com/

 

[CKN]

The Big U has been rusting away for decades. All efforts to save her have failed and now she's being evicted. A sad end. I have visited the Queen Mary in Long Beach and you can smell history on old ships like that. I wish they were able to save her and turn her into a museum ship, hotel, casino, etc. The cost would be staggering. In the pictures I saw a few years ago she looked pretty far gone. I suppose they are confident they can tow her to Florida without her accidentally sinking?

The Queen Mary has been an albatross for the City of Long Beach since they day they docked it there. Yet- the citizens of Long Beach continuing to support it. It too needs major repairs. Thus far the maintenance has been putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Nice looking ship.

 

[vavavroom]

The Queen Mary has been an albatross for the City of Long Beach since they day they docked it there. Yet- the citizens of Long Beach continuing to support it. It too needs major repairs. Thus far the maintenance has been putting lipstick on a pig.

Cost and revenue are high and recent profits are still very low. Her sheer size is a problem. After a guided tour I would suggest self-guided exploration. I also recommend dinner at Sir Winston's on the QM.

 

[ls1mike]

They're good. Try these if you're in the area.

https://angelospizzeriasouthphiladelphia.com/

I've been there too, really good food! Most of the guys I work with in Philly grew up there, so they know all the good spots. I like Lorenzo and Son's too. I work for the Navy and will go to the Navy Yard for work. Philly is by far my favorite city in the US.

 

[NormanBuntz]

What year was that?
Was the ship's speed mentioned?
I wonder if that industry was already feeling pressure from jet air travel.

In 1960 at the age of nine, my family and I sailed its sister ship, the SS America, from New York to Cobh, Ireland. I believe the America was smaller and less powerful. The United States held the transatlantic speed record for a long time. Both were great ocean liners in their time. Here in Nags Head, NC there was a local physician who bought much memorabilia from the United States and displayed it in her restaurant, including the captain's wheel. I will be surprised if the ship ever makes it to Fort Walton Beach, FL. That's a long haul in potentially rough seas.

 

[vavavroom]

In 1960 at the age of nine, my family and I sailed its sister ship, the SS America, from New York to Cobh, Ireland. I believe the America was smaller and less powerful. The United States held the transatlantic speed record for a long time.

Her 1952 record of 3 days and 10 hours for an ocean liner has not been broken and still stands. The Queen Mary 2 is the last active ocean liner and she's now 20 years old.

 

[JHZR2]

Such a shame - she had the same turbines as the Forrestal-class carriers - which made her faster than her contemporaries. She was built for speed with those engines and lightweight fittings. Much of her cabin was aluminum and fiberglass, IIRC. That’s how she won the “Blue Riband” for fastest crossing of the Atlantic.

Sadly, she was built at a time when Boeing built the 707, and the way we crossed oceans was rapidly changing. She never made much money for her owners.

When she was laid up, and bought, those subsequent owners stripped her for parts, especially the interior trim and those magnificent engines. With those gone, she was simply an empty shell.

Design by Gibbs & Cox, IIRC. Trusted Naval architects.

They’re starting to maneuver her for departure. I may need to snap a photo tomorrow. She has always been just a bit of an eyesore for years, very unfortunate…

 

[Speedbird001]

Recycle it just think of how many cans that ship could make.

^ Probably not cost effective. You know that thing is chock full of lead paint, asbestos, POL and all other sorts of DG and carcinogens

... She may not even survive the tow to Florida. ...

^ I'm not a rich man, but I'd bet $50 it does not make it to its intended location

 

[ctechbob]

Recently ran across the YT channel for the battleship New Jersey. Tons of interesting videos and he also has an archived livestream from just the other day on the moving of the SS USA.

https://www.youtube.com/@BattleshipNewJersey



Not super exciting as it isn't moving very much, but a few good looks at it before it is gone.

The battleship content is super interesting though.