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SS United states

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by channel, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. channel

    channel Member

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    Pictures of her in lay up here - Photographic Allsorts: S.S. United States
     
    channel, Feb 13, 2012
    #1
  2. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    I remember seeing her laid up in Norfolk VA in the early 80s. Cannot personally see much of a future for her, in fact if she had carried any other name the chances are that she would have been scrapped years ago. Also had a close-ish look at the SS America about 5 years ago; an even sadder sight.
     
    Martin Perry, Feb 13, 2012
    #2
  3. shedbasher

    shedbasher Member

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    They dont seem to care much about their ships heritage do they?
     
    shedbasher, Feb 13, 2012
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  4. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    The Americans do a lot more than us to preserve their maritime heritage, though mostly on the military side.
     
    Martin Perry, Feb 13, 2012
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  5. Dan Cross

    Dan Cross New Member

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    Yes the American's appear quite pro-active ship preservationists to a point, they have some that the UK should have but in the main, they prefer Navy ships (No surprises there I guess?).
    Since the SS Rotterdam apparently is struggling to meet financial expectations, I doubt anyone other than Bill Gates or Donald Trump would plough the $$$Millions into this ship to secure her for the future, which I have to say, I am surprised by. I did think that being as patriotic as they are, you would think a ship with that name in that country would do well!
     
    Dan Cross, Feb 14, 2012
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  6. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Especially if she'd been berthed alongside one of the piers on the Hudson. She is, after all, the last conventional ship to hold the blue ribband too!
     
    60017, Feb 14, 2012
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  7. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    The only problem with preservation stateside is the finances... Preservation here only tends to happen on a commercial scale or a very local level.
    small scale preservation finances will not save this ship or any other whether in the UK or the US.
    large scale corporate finance for a ship is a bit thin on the ground right now... It would need to be the right place and right package...moored on The Hudson I doubt will cut it .. To few local patronage to make the multi millions a commercial venture will require.

    If it were hyde st pier in San Francisco.. Or the harbour side in San Diego.... Maybe, but where is the pacific connection ?
    Maybe Bostons old docks would be a good home and set the ship up as a restaurant, bar, museum and hotel ?.. Now who has a half billion dollars to finance it ? (as that's the kind of cash it needs in the US.)?. Perhaps if Boston ran for the 2020 Olympics and Marriott hotels took it on ala St Pancras ?
     
    ADB968008, Feb 15, 2012
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  8. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Am I right in thinking that this ship has its upperworks made of alooooominum?
     
    Martin Perry, Feb 15, 2012
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  9. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Found this, looks well gutted inside. Asbestos removal I believe.
    SS United States
     
    buseng, Feb 15, 2012
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  10. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Yep you are correct. Whilst I'm not a fan of wiki as a research resourse, the following appears to have an interesting list of current hopes/dreams/plans/aspirations.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_United_States

    It's easy for people to pour scorn on these, but who knows, maybe one day? Time will tell, but with her asbestos gone, scrapping is not out of the question I guess.
     
    60017, Feb 15, 2012
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  11. arizonagcs

    arizonagcs New Member Account Suspended

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    arizonagcs, Mar 23, 2012
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  12. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Johann Marsbar, May 12, 2023
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  13. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    I believe that, sometime after it achieved the "Blue Riband" for the fastest Atlantic crossing, it was said that it could have crossed even faster but that would have disclosed its, then secret, top speed!
     
    Flying Phil, May 12, 2023
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  14. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Greenway, May 12, 2023
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  15. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    God knows where or how the money would be raised to restore some of her interiors to something like they were in service. Apart from the machinery spaces, she is an empty shell, free from asbestos (now). I fear scrapping is the only option?

    Love the way the 'author' describes her as the 'last of her kind'....err...HELLO...what's that big black and white ship with three funnels over in Southern California?!
     
    60017, May 13, 2023
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