It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Philly’s “S.S. United States” Ocean Liner May End Up as Scrap Metal
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am - by Matt Campbell. Filed under: Uncategorized.
The SS United States docked in Philadelphia has been put up for sale. A preservation group for the mothballed ocean liner fears a buyer could end up using it as scrap metal.
Steven Ujifusa, who was a volunteer production assistant for the above video, has a story on PlanPhilly about the ship’s possible sale and an awareness campaign launched by The S.S. United States Conservancy to save the ship. This is part of what he had to say.
Today, many observers are terrified that the ship- which captured world headlines in July 1952 with its record-breaking maiden voyage from New York to Southampton - will make its final voyage. If she is towed to the breakers, there will be no streamers, cheering well-wishers, or Navy planes soaring overhead to give her a final send off.
In 2003, NCL purchased the ship with the intention of restoring her as a world-class cruise liner. But these promises have come to naught.
Would you miss the sight of the SS United States on the Delaware River in Philly? What would you do if you owned the ship but didn’t have enough money to fix it up? Do you think a buyer could be found who would restore her?
February 11th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Doesn’t that suck. The ship was always fun to pass by while on Delaware Ave. What they should do is make it a historic site…is that even possible?
I’m sure there is SOMEONE out there willing to pay for this ship and turn in into something interesting…maybe a casino?
February 11th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Eric, I think you nailed it with the casino idea. Maybe the folks who are considering sinking money into adding a casino to The Gallery would be interested?
February 11th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
[...] WHYY has also picked up the story, including the preview from SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Their coverage is available HERE. [...]
February 12th, 2009 at 1:01 am
[...] Several posts surfaced today: An article By Steven B. Ujifusa For PlanPhilly at PlanPhilly.com and entry at WHYY.org [...]
February 12th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Dear SS United States Conservancy Members and Supporters:
The SS United States Conservancy has learned that the SS UNITED STATES will soon be listed for sale. The SS UNITED STATES was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in 2003, and ownership of the vessel was recently transferred to a holding company controlled by NCL’s parent company, Hong Kong-based Star Cruises. In light of current economic conditions, the SS UNITED STATES is now in grave danger of being sold for scrap The Conservancy’s press release related to the impending sale of the ship is available here.
The American-built SS UNITED STATES shattered all trans-Atlantic speed records on her maiden voyage in 1952 and remains the fastest passenger liner ever built. She was listed on the National Register of Historic Places before attaining 50 years of age because of her “compelling national significance.” The SS UNITED STATES must be saved for future generations. We believe that a project to restore and revitalize the SS UNITED STATES could create thousands of jobs and help stimulate the economy in these challenging times as well as preserve one of the world’s finest engineering achievements.
While the SS United States Conservancy has been working diligently behind the scenes to secure a future home and reuse for the ship, we have been continually hindered by the fact that the vessel remains privately owned. If we are going to succeed in saving the SS UNITED STATES for future generations, we need all hands on deck. The Conservancy is launching a major public education and outreach campaign and we need your help!
a.. Reach out to Congress! We urge all supporters to contact their members of Congress by visiting our website’s new “Take Action” page at http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org. Congress needs to act to prevent our national flagship from being sold for scrap. On our website you will find text for a letter to your Senators and Representatives which can be copied and pasted into an email or snail mail letter, as well as instructions for how to obtain contact information for your elected officials
a.. Reach out to the Media! Write a “letter to the editor” of your local newspaper! Post a blog entry on one of your favorite sites! Pitch a story to a media outlet! Educate the press on the historical significance of the SS UNITED STATES! Contact your local PBS affiliate and suggest that they re-broadcast the documentary film “SS UNITED STATES: Lady in Waiting.”
a.. Reach out to Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues! Pass on the word to everyone you know that the SS UNITED STATES is in danger of being sent to the breakers. We need to join forces with local maritime unions, port authorities, civic organizations, and other constituencies to bolster our base of support for saving the ship. Reach out to everyone you know and enlist their support!
The Conservancy will continue to recruit potential public and private sector partners to secure a dignified and sustainable future for the SS UNITED STATES. During this period of high alert, the Conservancy has launched an SOS “Blog” on our website where we will post updates about the ship’s status as they become available. Please visit our website at http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org and click on “Blog” to visit. We invite you to share your views.
Time is of the essence. Our nation’s flagship is once again facing the ignoble fate of the breakers’ torches. We must act now, we must act together, and we must save the SS UNITED STATES.
As always, thank you for your support of the SS UNITED STATES.
Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy
http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
Phone (888) 488-7787
February 12th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
[...] 13th (it’s in Australia so they’re a day ahead) and basically contains a link to the WHYY article posted here last night. We must all get involved in the fight to save our nation’s [...]
February 12th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
There is still hope. Hopefully Star Cruises/NCL can be talked down in price so a group interested in Preservation can step forward. Perhaps they would find it in their heart to Donate the SS United States to the Conservancy, what a twist that would be. I hope that money is not their motive, I hope that the idea of preserving this American Icon comes first.
And as anyone like me who has fought to save classic liners knows, its not over until she is beached.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
NCL and Star are known for destroying historic liners…ie. the norway (france) and the independence. I will not be surprised if the SS united states finds itself on a similar journey to the beaches of india. This company has no sympathy for history and wants the $$$. NCL only bought the united states as to sway congress to allow for the creation of NCL America, and now that the cruise line has been created, and is pretty much failing, the line is ridding itself of all of this extra baggage. NCL never intended to fix up the united states and now we’re probably going to see another classic liner be dismantled and gone for ever. The only thing that could stop NCL would be the controversy that came with the france/norway but since the United States is already free of asbestos there is little stopping it from going to the breakers.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
The Norway was a tragedy. The Independence had better luck, she is in Dubai now, was last I heard she was going to become a workers accommodation ship, but her fate may still be scrapping, but keep your fingers crossed about her. I want her back in the US where she belongs. She should become a hotel ship in Honolulu.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
ideally the big u. should be back in service, period.
but in the event that does not happen i would like to suggest is a backdrop for a waterfront concert venue much like liberty state park in new jersey. it can be city owned and all the united states would need is a fresh coat of paint and some mood lighting. what a blast it would be to see radiohead or wilco play in the shadaow of that beautiful structure! its a no brainer really.
February 26th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
The “Big U” seems to be a metaphor for this country as well: In its proud heyday in the 1950s thru the mid-1960s…then falling into decline. Now being stripped of all valuable pieces, the faded, peeling red, white, and blue seems to be aiming its bow towards a Indian or Chinese beach where it will be regenerated into something new and valuable by those rising powers……..Poignant, eh???
February 26th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
If anyone has any updates to this story, please post them here for everyone to see.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
On Tuesday night, the SS United States Conservancy, Foundation, and the Save the Classic Liners Campaign gathered together for a conference. The result of the call was a single organization, the Coalition to Save the SS United States.
We are in constant contact by email, and phone as needed
We are devopling a plan to save her. So fear not, she WILL at least have a good hard attempt to save her. I personally will not give up until the last piece of steel is melted down. But I still urge everyone to reach out, send letters to congress, do whatever you can to raise awareness about the ship, and tell people how should could be a floating hotel in New York, with Office space, conference rooms, hotel rooms, a maritime museum, restaurants.
She can be rebuilt to MAKE money. It just takes a vision and people willing to do whatever they can to make that vision a reality. The formation of this Coalition is the first step in the right direction. But it will also come to normal every day American’s to help let people know about her history, her legend, and her future.
She is an American Icon, a truly historic place, she is OUR nations flagship, therefore she is OUR ship. She belongs to the people of the Untied States of America.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
As a former servant of Cunard back in the 50s, I well remember the Big U, she was always a thrilling sight to see. I wish you all well with your efforts to save this great ship, she must be preserved even if only in a static capacity, as the saying goes, they sure don’t build them like that anymore, she is a wonderful example of when ships looked like ships, and not ocean going apartment blocks as they do now. Good Luck to you all.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I was a passenger on the United States in October 1966 when we went from LeHavre to New York. The photos of her are gut wrenching. I’d love to see her saved.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
My mother, sisters and I sailed to the United States on this ship when we emigrated in 1967. I have been by the dockyard where she is berthed and taken pictures, much like some of those on the various websites (but from further away). It would be great if someone could come up with a creative reuse of this ship, assuming she cannot be economically returned to service. I think the idea of a combination hotel and casino is an excellent idea, especially since Philadelphia cannot agree upon a place to build one on land.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
My story is a little different, from the others I have read on this site.
I have been in the Entertainment business since the mid 1970’s and have performed in many different venues, including Cruise Ships.
While I have enjoyed the Cruise Ships I have worked aboard, I can truly appreciate what the “S.S. United States” ocean liner must have been like in her day. As mentioned by someone else on this site ~ they don’t make them like that anymore.
My prayers are with everyone that is investing there time and money in saving this piece of history, known as (and hopefully never forgotten) the “S.S. United States”.
As I am sure you can tell, I LOVE ships. But this is not just another ship, especially for the citizens of the United States of America. She is something to be very proud of and it would be a crime to loose her!
Thank you & Bon Voyage
July 5th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I sailed on the US Liner, leaving South Hampton on January 28th 1966, arriving in New York on February 3rd 1966.
It was a horribly rough crossing…one I believe onr that made the history books!
For me it took me to a new life and adventure…..I feel that it would be very sad to lose such a monument of the past.
Since 1994 I have been back in the UK, but still very interested in this US liner.
Janet Weight Reed
July 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I hope for all of you who love this ship get what you want. I remember the Aquarama which sat in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on our waterfront before being towed to Buffalo. Same big plans and all for nothing. No investors and ten years after leaving Windsor it went to the ship breakers in Turkey in 2008 and has now been reduced to scrap. I found pics of the demolition and it was so sad. Keep up the conservationwork and pressure, do not let up till someone signs on the dotted line to restore this beauty.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Philly could use a unique tourist Magnet.
and it’s already sitting in your own Back Yard !
A International-Restaurant Row on a Cruise ship.
Say 10- 15 Restaurants(some large some small.)
You have your pick of Fine dining experiences.
American Grill, French, Italian, Thai, Cuban,
Indian, German, Hawaiian, Brazilian, and perhaps a Irish Pub or a German Beer Garden Atrium on the upper decks. Run a Bus shuttle
from the city, to ship, to the ball park for an afternoon or evening of Fun
You already have a ship with electric and plumbing that accomadated 2000+ people.
more than enough parking. Have the city “float”
“the Boat” bonds or create a Save the Ol’ Lady Lottery to restore the ship and rent out space to Quality Restaurants. Cha Ching $$$$ for the city!
and Smiles for the People !!!!!
So come on down to the docks to enjoy a world wind cruise of eateries without leaving the Harbor. and leave the suite cases at home.
All Aboard ?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
@Tikitom. I love this idea. My only fear is it would take boat loads of money to renovate that ship to give it that “King of Prussia” Mall sparkle. I think it would require the legalization of “riverboat gambling” to attract someone to see the restoration as profitable venture.
I really like the international restaurant idea. I’d like to add to the idea that we find an old WWII Submarine for a seafood restaurant.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I think the story of this ship should make all americans hold there heads up with pride..But Im sad to see the american govt will spend millions of dallars to go to war but not protect such and important part of our american history and with all the billions of dallars that are out there noone will step up and give Big U a fighting chance
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Having recently moved to the area in the last couple of years, the SS United States is definitely one of the more memorable landmarks (for want of better term) in the area, but every time I see it, it saddens me to see that it’s in such a state. The money it would take just to repaint the exterior just seems impossible to justify.
Even if someone dumped the millions of dollars it would take into getting it up to code & licensed for public occupancy, I don’t see how any business on that ship could justify the costs to any investor. Folks, this ship is docked across the street from Ikea - people want cheap and easy. Keeping a ship like this afloat and safe is neither.
August 10th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
NCL and Star are not to be trusted. They have gave the former SS France a humiliating send off. Let’s not make the same mistake France did and save our flagship. I honestly feel she should be restored to what she was meant to do; be a luxury liner. Cunard Line is still successful with the QM2 so why cant the Big U?
I’m against turning her into a hotel or casino simply because of how the Queen Mary ended up. Her engines gutted and she sits on a dead waterfront.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I was born in 58 and have never seen the ship. But I appreciate history and I have a Western Union Telegram from the ship as well as a luggage tag and a postcard of the ship. Fy
September 29th, 2009 at 4:15 am
rning her into a hotel or casino simply because of how the Queen Mary ended up. Her engines gutted and she sits on a dead waterfront.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
You people need to have a reality check and stop gushing. The Independence is at Alang now. At least it had a long and successful life as did the France/Norway. The United States never did. It was subsidized by the Navy because they saw how useful the two Queens were during WWII and in the event of WWIII, they didn’t want to rely on another country’s ships to transport US troops. It lost money from the day it was launched and once the naval subsidies stopped, so did the engines. The only reason it had the speed it did was because of troop thing; the blue ribbon was incidental. It had the life it did because it was designed to double as an ocean liner in the event of peace. It’s been 40 years since it sailed and is now nothing but a hunk of rusting metal. Run it up on a beach and get it over with. It’s a disgrace the way it is now and you know its owners are going to eventually scrap it.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
It is now November 2009….I have the solution
to refurbish the SS United States before the
scrappers get her…….and
ultimately send her back out to sea….all that
is needed is 10million USD….thats right if
anyone in America can come up with the 10m
I can have her totally refurbished and looking
beautiful once again…..
Anyone interested in saving the SS United States get in touch at titanicfxfilmsla@gmail.com
We want this ship back in America’s hands
sailing into the sunset in perpetuity….
Regards Graham
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
To see that ship become “Scrap Metal” would break my heart. I was sooooo pleased to see it moored there in Philly. I was born in 1946 and as a young boy of 9 years old received a model kit of this magnificent ship. How proud I was of that model. I watched it sail out of NY harbor and was thrilled to see it live. Where is the “yankee ingenuity” that would not be able to make a visitors sight out of it and raise the money to restore it? I for one would love to be able to go aboard and “visit” it.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am
A co-worker told me recently that she actually came to America from Germany on this ship. I was delighted to be able to show her that she does, indeed, still exist, but my delight turned to deep sorrow that this grand lady’s very existence is emperiled.
So graceful, slicing knifelike through the waves, the United States was and is the aesthetic pinnacle of American shipbuilding. The grotesque, top-heavy vessels currently plying the seas as “cruise ships” look positively clumsy compared to her sleek and sexy figure. The film of her speed trials brought tears to my eyes.
Her loss will be a loss for all of us, as we will not see her like again.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:06 am
I have heard story after story from my dad about his first kiss on this boat leaving south Hampton uk. This would be a tragedy.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
The S.S. United States stripped , and rusting away as she is is a perfect metaphore for this Country today. Our Large business owners and the Government are selling our birthright away to other Countries as if it were nothing(business as usual). Well it is NOT!. To those who would profit from the wholesale scrapping of this Beautiful Liner and this United States Of America. I say go straight to Hell! In the spirit of PATRICK HENRY I am the Father of a deceased 19 year old Marine. I am WILLIAM W. YOUNG And I hope this shocks and wakes you up!
January 4th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I can’t believe that no one did something with The SS United States in New York City, her home port as with the SS Queen Mary in California.
The sad thing is that when they sold off her interior furnishings and striped her that was the end as the cost to refit her as she was would be just so prohibative.
Running her as a cruise ship would most likely be too costly and those engins haven’t been used since 1969.
The SS United States is just such a thing of beauty and makes me proud to be an American as well as think of a time when America was great. I feel that The President should launch a campaine to do something with this ship as it should be saved for future generations; she should be a national land mark!
I so would love to see her moored in NYC and I am sure that it would be a money making venture for the person that makes it happen.
If the ship is junked it will be just another American thing of beauty lost forever. I saw her as a child and she still brings goose bumps to me to think that we actually built something that beautiful in a time when we could.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I remember a project against unemployment in the canton Geneva, Switzerland, when the unemployment rate was high ten years ago. Why not think into this direction?: People who had no work at that time could sign up to help build a historic two mast sailship under professional instruction. Advantages: These humans had a filled out day with work, a paid job, had better chances on the labour market afterwards with the additional qualifications they got on the job and are still proud to say: “I helped building this ship” whenever she is seen sailing on the lake.
I don’t know wheter similar action is possible under Pennsylvanian law, but if it is, this could help humans looking for a job as well as this wonderful ship in bad times.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Folks, we are hoping for a miracle to happen in a world that does not care.
There might have been a chance before the ship was owned by the last owners and they defaulted. Having done so, all the items of worth were stripped from the ship, even the copper wires.
Later her walls were stripped out when the asbestous was removed.
She now sits as a hulk with no insides.
Maybe if she were donated some company could invest to rebuild the interior, a hotel/casion would probably be the first choice. I would dare say, she may never sail again. If I recall, RCL SAID ( talk is cheap ) they were going to remove the boilers and turbines and install the new propeller pods for propulsion.
If they were not talking out of their backside, that would have been high tech for the Lady US.
The government has moved on to war and health care. The SSUS is not even an after thought.
I don’t think she will ever move on her own power again unless someone steps out in a very brave move, and takes the “bull by the horns” and risks everything to make her whole again.
I can’t even imagine how likely that may be.
As far as the SSUS being donated, don’t forget her mooring costs are 5 to 10 grand a month, just to sit there and rust. And to paint just her outsides is much more than that.
I don’t intend to tell you the glass is half empty, but it isn’t much over half full either.
Donald Trump does crazy things, I wonder if he reads these forums and could see a possible use for the Lady US? He is big in apartments, hotels and casinos????????? ( Whatcha think Don? )
Our sweet ship has sat, alone with the ghosts of time walking her decks. Has the clock stopped for her? For the time being it has. It is now only a matter of time before a decision will have to be made. Either someone will take her and recreate her history, or she will become history.
Some hefty action must be taken to even get someone to look at her, and we want them to buy her!!! Thats asking a lot of the person and of the Lady US.
It’s times like this when you just don’t know what can happen until it does.
My heart is for the Lady US, and I hope she finds some place to create more history. But even if it does not go that way, she won’t be rotting at the dock anymore. She was too fine a lady to go that way.
Good luck all, and to a very fine lady.
LL
January 8th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
When they were launched, all the liners were the pride of their respective countries. Then they lived their lives and met their ends. The United States is no different. The truly sad part is that hers has been such a long drawn out issue. She should have been a memory a long time ago.