"Big U" Update

[Philly Steve]

Thanks for the info, I've tried to keep tabs on this vessel. Even had a model on my desk that I need to finish.

JM

 

My pleasure and good luck with your model. $100k raised so far but a long way to go.

[BruceMuzz]

I'm saving up my money to buy those new commemorative SS United States Razor Blades, imported from Alang, India. Quite a collector's item.

[Philly Steve]

Author David Macaulay has started a blog on the SS United States in advance of a new book in which the ship will be the focal point. Check it out here...

 

http://www.ssusc.org/category/macaulay/

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy reports more than $125,000 has been raised so far in the Save Our Ship emergency fund raising effort. It has fallen short of the goal, but buys the ship more time. Thanks to those Cruise Critic members who have donated to the cause. The war to save our Ship of State is not over by a long shot!

[George C]

Thanks Steve for keeping us informed, would love to see it as a hotel like they did with Rotterdam

[Philly Steve]

Thanks Steve for keeping us informed, would love to see it as a hotel like they did with Rotterdam

 

My pleasure, George. So would I!

[BruceMuzz]

Thanks Steve for keeping us informed, would love to see it as a hotel like they did with Rotterdam

 

I recently stayed in the SS Rotterdam Hotel.

Nice rooms.

Most of the ship is off limits to the public.

They didn't have enough funding to refurbish the entire vessel.

The management company running the hotel is bankrupt.

The government housing agency that financed the project used 40 million euros in taxpayer money that they were not authorized to use. That is all gone now. They need more to continue operations, but there is no more money.

Another massive waste of money for a pipedream.

 

The razor blade market is soon going to collapse with the addition of SS Rotterdam and SS United States.

[Philly Steve]

The effort to save the SS United States includes plans to use the ship as a retail and education center. There would also be a Museum of American Design and Discovery featuring much of the engineering accomplishments that are unique to the "Big U." Learn more here...

 

http://www.ssusc.org/the-conservancy/museum-of-american-design-and-discovery/

Edited August 26, 2013 by Philly Steve

[George C]

Thanks Bruce on Rotterdam info still would love to spend a night on her. Great info Steve liked the gift area on that site might need to buy something.

[Philly Steve]

Great info Steve liked the gift area on that site might need to buy something.

 

They do have some nice items. I'm a casual collector of SS United States items. My collection includes an authentic shuffle board puck and a brochure that features a cutaway of the ship. :cool:

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy has announced the creation of a new program to help prepare the ship for conversion to an education/retail/museum complex. It includes the reclamation of obsolete materials aboard the ship to help cover costs. The items are below deck and are not relevant to the ship's future, according to the Conservancy.

 

The Conservancy also announced plans for a new SS United States exhibition at Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum in February.

 

More at SavetheUnitedStates.org

[Philly Steve]

The Philly chapter of the SS United States Conservancy is planning a holiday party, Saturday, December 14th at Champps Restaurant, across Columbus Blvd from the ship. It takes place at noon. There will be updates on efforts to preserve America's flagship.

[meckanic62]

Maybe, just maybe.......

 

1. The United States is towed to New York and berthed near their Aircraft Carrier.

2. Cabins are sold as timeshares (money comes in)

3. A tribal casino is established aboard (more money comes in as percentage)

4. A museum is opened aboard (money comes in)

 

No one corporation could handle this but if each one is managed seperately, maybe the idea would work.

Edited December 10, 2013 by meckanic62

[George C]

if they moved it to NYC and made it into condos, nyc condos go for 500k for about 300 sq ft. Like casino idea also.

[Philly Steve]

All, good ideas. Would love to see more efforts in NYC. A museum would be a must.

[big al]

Hello all...I have just come back ( 12/7/13) from the first meeting of the SSUSC chapter of South Florida, where I was elected Event / PR Coodinator..interestingly enough, there seems to be an effort to bring the SS United States to Miami, which I have not seen mentioned here much. Philadelphia does not seem like they are really interested in doing anything to save the ship, other than collect docking fees & security monies...at a minimum, the SS United States should become a hotel, museum & casino ( casino not my choice, but it WOULD generate lots of $$ )...look at what the Queen Mary has done in Long Beach - very successful for years now.....I will post here & keep you informed on what develops here in South Florida. BTW, I have a big place in my heart for the SS United States- I came to this country, from Casablanca, Morocco, in 1958, on the SS United States at the age of six. I also sailed her again in 1967, almost 15 by then. She deserves a better fate- let's all try & do what we can to save this American legacy!!

 

Big Al

[George C]

Thanks for the update Big Al, in 1967 I was 17 and working as a computer operator for US Lines which then owned the SS United States

[BruceMuzz]

Hello all...I have just come back ( 12/7/13) from the first meeting of the SSUSC chapter of South Florida, where I was elected Event / PR Coodinator..interestingly enough, there seems to be an effort to bring the SS United States to Miami, which I have not seen mentioned here much. Philadelphia does not seem like they are really interested in doing anything to save the ship, other than collect docking fees & security monies...at a minimum, the SS United States should become a hotel, museum & casino ( casino not my choice, but it WOULD generate lots of $$ )...look at what the Queen Mary has done in Long Beach - very successful for years now.....I will post here & keep you informed on what develops here in South Florida. BTW, I have a big place in my heart for the SS United States- I came to this country, from Casablanca, Morocco, in 1958, on the SS United States at the age of six. I also sailed her again in 1967, almost 15 by then. She deserves a better fate- let's all try & do what we can to save this American legacy!!

 

Big Al

 

Big Al,

 

I really appreciate your positive attitude on this subject, but how do you define successful?

The Queen Mary in Long Beach has been a financial disaster from Day 1.

The company has never made a penny of profit.

Not sure how many times the ship has been in bankruptcy.

As a hotel, occupancy is ridiculously low - even though she is right next door to the cruise terminal and there are no other hotels nearby.

[Philly Steve]

Hi Big Al. Thanks for posting and much thanks for your work in Florida on behalf of the SS United States. It's great to hear the on going fund raising effort has bought us another six months of planning. New York remains the front runner but Philly is not out of the running.

 

I grew up in Central Florida and once toured the Queen Elizabeth when she was docked at Port Everglades. Please keep us up to date on Florida efforts to save the Big U. [/size]MS"]

[big al]

Hi Big Al. Thanks for posting and much thanks for your work in Florida on behalf of the SS United States. It's great to hear the on going fund raising effort has bought us another six months of planning. New York remains the front runner but Philly is not out of the running.

 

I grew up in Central Florida and once toured the Queen Elizabeth when she was docked at Port Everglades. Please keep us up to date on Florida efforts to save the Big U. [/size]MS"]

 

We are planning our next Florida Chapter meeting in mid- late Feb...will keep you posted!

 

Big Al

[Philly Steve]

Looking forward to your update.

 

Maybe 2014 will find you making the trip to Philly? The Conservancy has allowed folks to tour the ship, for a fee, as part of fund raising efforts. It's always a thrill to go aboard, despite the empty interiors. ;)

[Philly Steve]

A reminder that the Philly chapter of the organization striving to save the SS United States will hold its Holiday Party tomorrow (1/18) at Champps Restaurant on Columbus Boulevard, across the street from the ship. It begins in the noon hour.

[Philly Steve]

The Philly chapter of the Conservancy met last weekend and received an update on efforts to save the ship. Negotiations continue as we seek to turn the ship into an education-retail-museum complex. New York remains the front runner but there are other efforts.

 

Drexel University students are working on an amazing 3-D tour of the ship that will be available online. I also learned about a 1984 video of the ship that was shot when they offered tours before the contents of the United States were sold. It's worth a look on YouTube.

 

And, preparations continue for a display on the SS United States at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. It will start in March and run through the summer. There will be interactive displays and much more.

[George C]

The Philly chapter of the Conservancy met last weekend and received an update on efforts to save the ship. Negotiations continue as we seek to turn the ship into an education-retail-museum complex. New York remains the front runner but there are other efforts.

 

Drexel University students are working on an amazing 3-D tour of the ship that will be available online. I also learned about a 1984 video of the ship that was shot when they offered tours before the contents of the United States were sold. It's worth a look on YouTube.

 

And, preparations continue for a display on the SS United States at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. It will start in March and run through the summer. There will be interactive displays and much more.

 

thanks for the updates, please continue with keeping us informed

[Philly Steve]

Final preparations are being made for the exhibit "SS United States: Charting a Course for America's Flagship" at Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing.

 

The exhibit runs from March 7th to September 14th.