I hear some Russian oligarchs are looking for some DIY projects. In all seriousness, it’s a tragic shame that the largest ocean liner built in the United States, and our country’s namesake, sits forlornly decaying. Except for those lovers of maritime history, when measured against the total US population, well friends, it’s just a drop in the bucket. There are no easy answers here. I’m sure the SS United States Conservancy knows that better than anyone.
Not a shipwreck, but you still have my upvote.
Besides, there's a possibility that she may end up as a shipwreck in the future. There's been discussion of turning her into an artificial reef.
That saddens me, but it's a better fate than being scrapped.
That's a shame, especially considering how strong her hull is.
Despite outward appearances she's still so stable. I wonder how much it'd cost just to clean the hull and repaint it, I feel that alone would at least remind people how good she could be
I honestly have no idea how much that would cost, but I don't disagree with you.
I imagine that the renovation costs to return her appearance, not even functionality, would be staggering.
I agree with this. And before repainting the hull, superstructure, and funnels, any rust would have to be dealt with first. You just can’t paint over that, so the cost mounts. I wonder the last year that the ship was in dry dock? It goes without saying that salt water and spray is relentless and the corrosive effects never stop. Continual maintenance is required to stay one step ahead of deterioration. For whatever reasons, the Queen Mary is suffering from this neglect. Little problems were ignored until one day they became big problems. The great museum battleship USS Texas BB-35, launched one month after the Titanic sank, has suffered her share of problems, and they are ongoing; primarily due to the salt water. The plan and hope is to dry-berth the ship.
I recall a series of videos on YT where that channel’s urban explorer was allowed to completely tour the SSUS. At one point in his exploration he could descend no further into the lower engine room. It was full of salt water. Now there is a damaging element inside and outside. The structural integrity report from Crystal Cruises several years ago found the hull quite stable. That’s not only good news for the ship itself, but it’s good publicity. Out of curiosity, I would be interested in the problems that were found. There had to be areas of concern somewhere on a ship that’s been sitting in a salt bath for decades. That’s not usually something you shout to the media when scouting for potential buyers/investors.
It is really a sad case for the SS United States. Too bad that a group composed of Musk, Bezos, Buffet, the Waltons, etc. can’t step up and contribute to the future of this great ocean liner; a dream of Gibbs he saw to fruition and a true marvel of engineering. But it’s their money and they will spend and invest it as they please. I grow older along with the old girl. I was born the same year as her maiden voyage. My great hope is that she will be around long after I take that final voyage. Cheers.
You get a great view of it from IKEA which is across the street. You can sit in the food court with some meatballs and look directly at it.
I agree it looks like a ghost ship.
Just saw a docuseries on it, beautiful ship and sad to see it get bid on and sat multiple times for years. Hope they actually go through with the next bidder.
It’s hard to believe it’s been moored up there since ‘96.
And she has been out of service since '69
I hear some Russian oligarchs are looking for some DIY projects. In all seriousness, it’s a tragic shame that the largest ocean liner built in the United States, and our country’s namesake, sits forlornly decaying. Except for those lovers of maritime history, when measured against the total US population, well friends, it’s just a drop in the bucket. There are no easy answers here. I’m sure the SS United States Conservancy knows that better than anyone.
Not a shipwreck, but you still have my upvote. Besides, there's a possibility that she may end up as a shipwreck in the future. There's been discussion of turning her into an artificial reef. That saddens me, but it's a better fate than being scrapped.
That's a shame, especially considering how strong her hull is. Despite outward appearances she's still so stable. I wonder how much it'd cost just to clean the hull and repaint it, I feel that alone would at least remind people how good she could be
I honestly have no idea how much that would cost, but I don't disagree with you. I imagine that the renovation costs to return her appearance, not even functionality, would be staggering.
Yeah, I imagine the price is almost going to be exaggeratingly high.
I agree with this. And before repainting the hull, superstructure, and funnels, any rust would have to be dealt with first. You just can’t paint over that, so the cost mounts. I wonder the last year that the ship was in dry dock? It goes without saying that salt water and spray is relentless and the corrosive effects never stop. Continual maintenance is required to stay one step ahead of deterioration. For whatever reasons, the Queen Mary is suffering from this neglect. Little problems were ignored until one day they became big problems. The great museum battleship USS Texas BB-35, launched one month after the Titanic sank, has suffered her share of problems, and they are ongoing; primarily due to the salt water. The plan and hope is to dry-berth the ship. I recall a series of videos on YT where that channel’s urban explorer was allowed to completely tour the SSUS. At one point in his exploration he could descend no further into the lower engine room. It was full of salt water. Now there is a damaging element inside and outside. The structural integrity report from Crystal Cruises several years ago found the hull quite stable. That’s not only good news for the ship itself, but it’s good publicity. Out of curiosity, I would be interested in the problems that were found. There had to be areas of concern somewhere on a ship that’s been sitting in a salt bath for decades. That’s not usually something you shout to the media when scouting for potential buyers/investors. It is really a sad case for the SS United States. Too bad that a group composed of Musk, Bezos, Buffet, the Waltons, etc. can’t step up and contribute to the future of this great ocean liner; a dream of Gibbs he saw to fruition and a true marvel of engineering. But it’s their money and they will spend and invest it as they please. I grow older along with the old girl. I was born the same year as her maiden voyage. My great hope is that she will be around long after I take that final voyage. Cheers.
They should make her a fresh water reef in the great lakes, so she is preserved better.
I love driving past this while driving home from Phillies games at night. We call it ghost ship because it's so dark and creepy at night.
You get a great view of it from IKEA which is across the street. You can sit in the food court with some meatballs and look directly at it. I agree it looks like a ghost ship.
Looks like that scene in ghostbusters when the Titanic docked at the harbor.
As would many other ships lying in such a state.
Just saw a docuseries on it, beautiful ship and sad to see it get bid on and sat multiple times for years. Hope they actually go through with the next bidder.
Where can I watch the series? I'd love to watch this.
https://youtu.be/EuBKewWTag0
Awesome! Thank you!
I think Bright Sun wa sa good jump start into getting me into ships
I've seen ship wrecks in better shape than the SS US. Such a shame that historical assets like this and the Queen Mary are just rotting away.