"Big U" Update

[Philly Steve]

Hi Lou, while I'm not sure about the politics within the organization, I can honestly say Susan has invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the years and she just wants to do the right thing.

 

Some SS United States supporters have called for more financial transparency. Others weary after being promised exciting new details, month after month, only to hear nothing of substance. The Conservancy has made recent attempts to account for the money.

 

We can expect to hear soon from the Chester, PA group that sought to save the ship as it was being sold for the breakers. That is, unless another major donor shows up to buy us another month or two.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Philly Steve

[Rotterdam]

There was a very nice news piece on the CBS Sunday Morning show - hopefully that will drum up more support & $$$.

 

Such a shame to be so near to a resolution and today $60,000 is nothing in todays dollars. Surely there are a few American Billion or millionaires that can throw a million or two towards the efforts to save the SS UNITED STATES!

[dandee2]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/from-luxury-cruise-to-scrap-metal-historic-ship-sends-mayday-call-for-funding-1.2611173

 

http://www.ssusc.org/

[Post Captain]

For what it's worth: There's an interesting editorial in the New York Observer, with an intriguing proposal for saving the S.S. United States:

 

http://observer.com/2015/10/dont-sink-the-ss-united-states/

(Personally, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the current mayor of NYC to take any interest in the Big U--but what do I know?)

[Post Captain]

For what it's worth: There's an interesting editorial in the New York Observer, with an intriguing proposal for saving the S.S. United States:

 

http://observer.com/2015/10/dont-sink-the-ss-united-states/

(Personally, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the current mayor of NYC to take any interest in the Big U--but what do I know?)

[Levon71]

I just found out yesterday that my mom was on the record-setting return trip on July 10 1952. She was on another transatlantic journey aboard the United States in 1959. She made a third trip aboard the ship in 1965. She is planning to attend a fundraiser on October 29.

[axelskater]

Susan Gibbs and her "Conservancy" and her need to have the ship in New York, are short sighted, not business savvy, and have not a chance!

 

Let us not forget Gerry Lenfest. He has a HUGE say in this too.

 

Also, there is:

 

http://www.ssunitedstatestrust.org/

 

Don't believe everything you read in the news.

 

The aforementioned trust above is currently inactive. Only the Conservancy is currently working toward some sort of solution

[axelskater]

I just found out yesterday that my mom was on the record-setting return trip on July 10 1952. She was on another transatlantic journey aboard the United States in 1959. She made a third trip aboard the ship in 1965. She is planning to attend a fundraiser on October 29.

 

I am thinking of attending the fundraiser - They are calling it the "Star Spangled Fundraiser" to benefit America's Flagship. It's in Philly.

 

The evening recreates a evening aboard the SS United States and has a special dinner & retro drinks, dancing w/band recreating typical music you would hear on board, and requires formal dress. Sounds like they are planning a great evening. I have been watching the YouTube videos of the ship. Trying to decide if I want to see it - I just hope it isn't the last time.

[Philly Steve]

The October 31st deadline approaches as the SS United States Conservancy struggles to find major donors to prevent sending the ship to the breakers.

 

The organization is still planning a fundraiser at the end of the month in Philadelphia.

 

http://www.ssusc.org/star-spangled-fundraiser-tickets/?utm_source=A+Special+Announcement+from+the+Conservancy&utm_campaign=Redevelopment+Update+and+Renewed+Campaign&utm_medium=email

 

The Conservancy is also planning to make its presence known at an upcoming parade in New York City. More on the Conservancy's website.

 

Stay tuned!

[Levon71]

Hello everyone. I just read all ten pages of this thread after learning just a few days ago that my mom was aboard the United States for its July 10, 1952 return voyage that set the speed record and earned the Blue Riband. She was on the ship again in 1959 and 1965.

 

After reading all of the posts it seems there are only three real possibilities for this once mighty vessel...scrappage, which is probably the most realistic option sadly; continued delays of scrappage through donations to pay the monthly storage and maintenance fees, which is what is currently happening; or repurposing in some way. I am glad there is no talk of actually returning the ship to active cruising use, as that is clearly absurd for a number of reasons.

 

In 2013 I visited the Queen Mary in Long Beach, which my grandmother traveled aboard in 1947. We had lunch aboard and toured the museum. It was really nice, but it is sad (but not surprising) to hear that it is not a profitable endeavor. I would like to see something similar done with the United States, but for it to be viable and remain so, it will require the right plan and location. Time will tell...unless it is turned into razor blades first. Or, perhaps it will sink as it is being towed to scrapping as a ship I once sailed on, the SS Britianis (formerly Monterey/Matsonia/Lurline) did in 2000 off South Africa en route to India.

 

My parents are planning to attend the fundraiser next week in Philly. I will share any new info I can.

[Philly Steve]

Hello everyone. I just read all ten pages of this thread after learning just a few days ago that my mom was aboard the United States for its July 10, 1952 return voyage that set the speed record and earned the Blue Riband. She was on the ship again in 1959 and 1965.

 

After reading all of the posts it seems there are only three real possibilities for this once mighty vessel...scrappage, which is probably the most realistic option sadly; continued delays of scrappage through donations to pay the monthly storage and maintenance fees, which is what is currently happening; or repurposing in some way. I am glad there is no talk of actually returning the ship to active cruising use, as that is clearly absurd for a number of reasons.

 

In 2013 I visited the Queen Mary in Long Beach, which my grandmother traveled aboard in 1947. We had lunch aboard and toured the museum. It was really nice, but it is sad (but not surprising) to hear that it is not a profitable endeavor. I would like to see something similar done with the United States, but for it to be viable and remain so, it will require the right plan and location. Time will tell...unless it is turned into razor blades first. Or, perhaps it will sink as it is being towed to scrapping as a ship I once sailed on, the SS Britianis (formerly Monterey/Matsonia/Lurline) did in 2000 off South Africa en route to India.

 

My parents are planning to attend the fundraiser next week in Philly. I will share any new info I can.

 

I can see how a love of ocean liners is deep rooted in your family. Your mother must have some amazing stories about the speed record voyage!

 

I think your assessment is quite accurate. Sadly, Philadelphia did not back a plan to convert the ship into a waterfront casino/hotel years ago, which I thought was a good option. It's up to interests in the ship's NYC homeport to run with the ball.

 

I don't think the ship would sink while being towed. Her hull is, I'm told, in excellent shape despite the rust and peeling paint.

 

Glad to hear your parents are planning to attend the fundraiser. There is a preliminary meeting TONIGHT in South Philadelphia. I will try to attend.

[Philly Steve]

The Philadelphia chapter of the SS United States Conservancy is planning a last minute meeting TONIGHT (October 20th) to discuss plans for the upcoming October 29th fundraiser dinner Philadelphia's Union League.

 

The meeting is set at 6pm at the Longhorn Steak House (across from the ship) on Columbus Boulevard.

 

An email announcement indicates the fundraiser and other key topics will be discussed.

 

Sorry about the late notice. The email was sent only yesterday.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Philly Steve

[Philly Steve]

The Philadelphia chapter of the SS United States Conservancy is planning a last minute meeting TONIGHT (October 20th) to discuss plans for the upcoming October 29th fundraiser dinner Philadelphia's Union League.

 

The meeting is set at 6pm at the Longhorn Steak House (across from the ship) on Columbus Boulevard.

 

An email announcement indicates the fundraiser and other key topics will be discussed.

 

Sorry about the late notice. The email was sent only yesterday.

 

It's just been learned that tonight's meeting has been postponed until this

weekend. More to come.

[rsachek]

The problems with this ship as an attraction are fourfold as I see it.

 

1. It's completely empty inside. Just a gutted shell. And the lifeboats have all been removed. There is literally nothing original to see.

 

2. The ship's history was short and not very interesting. Yes, it was slightly faster than other large liners, but that's about it. If anything, the running mate SS America had a far more storied past, having operated for forty years and serving as troop ship in WWII.

 

3. Modern society is just not that interested in maritime history. To wit, Celebrity just announced that they are removing their liner-themed restaurants from some of their ships.

 

4. Investors know they will never recover their massive outlay. The only way this ship ever gets restored or repurposed is with at least some public funds involved and it isn't important enough to warrant that (see points 1-3).

 

Ironically, a recent tidbit mentioned that scrap prices are currently so low that the conservancy might actually have to pay to have the ship towed away as opposed to selling it.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151019_Cash-poor_SS_United_States_sends_out_SOS.html

 

Just for the record, I am liner enthusiast and a great fan of this ship, but I am also realistic.

[Levon71]

Yes, you are quite realistic. Scrap prices are indeed way down. I am in the auto repair industry, and scrap cars as well as things like catalytic converters bring way less money than they did just a few years ago.

 

It is also real from what I can see on the interwebs and read from people who have been to the United States that other than the shell, there is really nothing original left about this ship. To recreate the way it was, even part of it, would be difficult and expensive...and judging by the Queen Mary, probably just not that interesting to enough people to make it financially viable.

 

I am personally interested in it and maritime history in general, and my mom was on the record-setting return voyage to NY in July 1952...so I would love to see it return to glory in some way...but I am not sure that can actually happen.

[Philly Steve]

Excellent points being made here and yes, we have to be realistic.

 

I have been aboard twice and one has to close their eyes to imagine what the interiors must have been like. Proponents to save the ship have maintained she is a "blank canvas," ripe for development. At least the asbestos is said to be gone.

 

I recall leaving a Conservancy meeting several years ago, thinking the end had arrived. Yet, the ship is still around.

 

As of October 22nd, the Conservancy had raised over $56,000 toward its #SaveTheUnitedStates campaign.

Edited October 23, 2015 by Philly Steve

[rsachek]

It is absolutely amazing how they always seem to pull off a miracle at the last minute and buy a few more months. I guess we shall see if they can do it yet again.

 

Even with the downturn in scrap metal prices, I'm sure the ship could still be profitably scrapped in India or Bangladesh but they want to go with a "responsible U.S.-based recycler".

[Host Walt]

Here's a clip of today's "news" (more of a fund raising) on the subject:

 

Time Running Out On A Piece of America

[PalmHarborCruiser]

I've never sailed on the ship but remembered seeing the YouTube video of what has become of her. Let's see if this link works. Very sad.

 

 

 

Sent from my ALCATEL ONETOUCH P310A using Tapatalk

[Levon71]

My mom and grandmother on a later voyage aboard the United States

[Philly Steve]

Here's a clip of today's "news" (more of a fund raising) on the subject:

 

Time Running Out On A Piece of America

 

Thanks for posting. Did you notice the concave nature of the promenade deck from the stand up?

 

My mom and grandmother on a later voyage aboard the United States

 

Cool pic. Your grandmother looks familiar. Was she in the "SS United States: Lady in Waiting" video?

[Philly Steve]

It is absolutely amazing how they always seem to pull off a miracle at the last minute and buy a few more months. I guess we shall see if they can do it yet again.

 

It may occur to some that the Conservancy is "crying wolf," but in this case, I don't think so. The Lenfest money and other big donations can't last forever.

[Levon71]

Cool pic. Your grandmother looks familiar. Was she in the "SS United States: Lady in Waiting" video?

 

I don't know...I have never seen that video. It is possible, given she was on the ship at least three times, including the July 1952 return to New York.

 

Here she is coming to America for the first time in 1947 aboard the Queen Mary:

(She is in the center in line with the column)

Edited October 24, 2015 by Levon71

[George C]

I worked for US lines as a computer operator in 1967 when I was 17, one of my fellow workers cruised on her every year at Christmas and New Years, I remember he said he received a clothing allowance and got his normal pay and he said his main job was to tell the bartenders what time to close the bar, I would have been good at that job, bar would have remained open. US lines was then located at 1 Broadway at the tip of Manhattan.

[Philly Steve]

I don't know...I have never seen that video. It is possible, given she was on the ship at least three times, including the July 1952 return to New York.

 

Here she is coming to America for the first time in 1947 aboard the Queen Mary:

(She is in the center in line with the column)

 

Another great pic!

 

Here is the trailer for "Lady in Waiting."

 

 

The woman I had referred to is featured with her husband, whom she met during a sailing. It's a charming story about her losing her scarf, recovered by her future husband one deck below.

 

The entire video is available on the SS United States Conservancy website but there are other excerpts on YouTube.