Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

"Big U" Update

Philly Steve
 Share

Recommended Posts

Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted
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.

 

That MUST have been a great job. :D

 

Just curious. What kind of computer work was avaiable in 1967? :confused:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
George C

George C

Posted
Posted
That MUST have been a great job. :D

 

Just curious. What kind of computer work was avaiable in 1967? :confused:

 

There was second generation IBM mainframe 1401, also everything was on cards so there was sorters and misc other stuff, worked in field from 67 till I retired last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Host Walt

Host Walt

Posted
Posted
There was second generation IBM mainframe 1401, also everything was on cards so there was sorters and misc other stuff, worked in field from 67 till I retired last year.

In 1959 we had a huge Univac 1105 computer installed in the entire basement of an academic building on the campus at the University of North Carolina that handled a lot of basic clerical data for the school and supported a management "game" for an advanced management class I was taking. The game required a lot of data entry via punch cards and was replete with errors if/when some poor soul in the sorting room spilled the cards.

 

Here's a photo of a part of the chassis of the 1105:

 

ITS_18580.jpg

 

And of a "computer job" back then:

 

ITS_19092.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted
There was second generation IBM mainframe 1401, also everything was on cards so there was sorters and misc other stuff, worked in field from 67 till I retired last year.

 

Congrats on a great career.

You had behind the counter experience to amazing development through the years.

 

In 1959 we had a huge Univac 1105 computer installed in the entire basement of an academic building on the campus at the University of North Carolina that handled a lot of basic clerical data for the school and supported a management "game" for an advanced management class I was taking. The game required a lot of data entry via punch cards and was replete with errors if/when some poor soul in the sorting room spilled the cards.

 

Here's a photo of a part of the chassis of the 1105:

 

ITS_18580.jpg

 

And of a "computer job" back then:

 

ITS_19092.jpg

 

Thanks for the pics. Vacuum tubes! Heat was the enemy back then, and today too.

 

Back on topic, the Conservancy is planning a SS United States presence at the upcoming NYC Veterans Parade. More to come!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
loubetti

loubetti

Posted
Posted
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.

 

Of course it is, Steve, they care less about the ship and more about maintaining the Conservancy and remembering the Big U.

 

I mean, you don't think Susan Gibbs is doing this for free? I don't think so but I could be wrong! :cool:

 

Sadly, the SS United States Trust got shafted by Lenfest, when he put the conservancy in charge instead of the Trust. The latter entity would have been the wisest choice.

 

The more Susan Gibbs wants to see her in New York, the less the chances are to save the ship. It is as simple as that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Of course it is, Steve, they care less about the ship and more about maintaining the Conservancy and remembering the Big U.

 

I mean, you don't think Susan Gibbs is doing this for free? I don't think so but I could be wrong! :cool:

 

Sadly, the SS United States Trust got shafted by Lenfest, when he put the conservancy in charge instead of the Trust. The latter entity would have been the wisest choice.

 

The more Susan Gibbs wants to see her in New York, the less the chances are to save the ship. It is as simple as that.

 

So much time has passed since the Lenfest donation. It's sad the project remains stalled. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
My parents went aboard the United States today. So far they have only sent one picture...sorry I don't know why it is rotated

 

Thanks for posting and glad to hear they were able to go aboard. It can be a heartbreaking experience for those who were familiar with the ship in its heyday.

 

It's amazing how small the first class staterooms seemed.

 

Did they enjoy the dinner and was there anything new on the ship?

Edited by Philly Steve
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Levon71

Levon71

Posted
Posted

It was a thrill for my mom to be back aboard after all those decades. She is an artist and said she would like to put a piece in the auction next time...if there is a next time. My dad said the gala raised enough money to keep it afloat for another month or so. He said the hull doesn't appear to be taking on water but there are exposed areas that are so rusted and corroded he is not optimistic it can be saved. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Levon71

Levon71

Posted
Posted

I have the answer for the United States: Donald Trump.

 

Think about it...he knows real estate, he loves New York, he has billions of dollars...and he wants to "make America great again." Maybe he could make the United States great again instead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted
It was a thrill for my mom to be back aboard after all those decades. She is an artist and said she would like to put a piece in the auction next time...if there is a next time. My dad said the gala raised enough money to keep it afloat for another month or so. He said the hull doesn't appear to be taking on water but there are exposed areas that are so rusted and corroded he is not optimistic it can be saved. :(

 

Thanks for the update. I hope there is a next time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The SS United States Conservancy says the emergency campaign has raised enough to keep the ship around for at least another month.

 

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/02/cash-helps-historic-ocean-liner-avoid-scrap-heap-for-now/

 

It is still seeking major donors and will make a decision on the next plan of action soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The SS United States Conservancy board met last Friday and confirmed emergency donations "in excess of 100k dollars.

 

A board statement mentions ongoing discussions with NYC parties, adding it hopes to make an announcement on the ship's future, perhaps by the end of the month.

 

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/ss_united_states_officals_donations_keep_ships_lif.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Executive Director Susan Gibbs thanks supporters for their donations and says discussions continue on the redevelopment of the ship. She cites confidentiality agreements for the lack of details.

 

The Conservancy had a presence at New York's Veterans Day parade.

 

The message did not mention any new deadlines.

 

The SS United States has broken a new record: longest time in lay-up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Philly Steve

Philly Steve

Posted
  • Author
Posted

An email, dated 11.23.16 from the SS United States Conservancy states that critical funding has given the ship more time.

 

The Conservancy says more than $600,000 has been raised in the seven weeks of the SOS campaign and scrap bids have been rejected.

 

Donations included several major gifts including two for $100k and $250k from an unnamed West Coast contributor.

 

The Conservancy says negotiations continue with existing and new developers who are "actively engaged in exploring options for the ship's adaptive reuse." It appears New York remains the focal point of these talks.

 

The email reports these developments will keep the ship afloat well into next year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...