The Last American Ocean Liners

[SteminDemon13]

Hi Star Fox,

Let me commend you on a great post. I have read about the SS United States. What is it you and your organization that you associate with plan to do? Have you or anyone of your organization inspected the ship?
Keeping her steam powered would not be a problem. She has a design similar to the Iowa Class propulsion plant (that's why regulars were prohibited from visiting the plant) All of these liners/ships guzzle fuel. Gas turbines are the worst for fuel consumption and their efficiency drops even further in warm weather.
A well maintained steam plant will give you happy steamind for many many years. The Iowa class battleships had an unmatched record of reliability by the way.

Star fox, it would be nice to know how the propulsion plants were laid up? Was there cosmoline put in all of the Reduction Gears? How were the boilers laid up prior to her sitting all these years. Being there is no power to the ship I am sure that the boilers were not on a heated air lay up. Nitrogen Blanket? Maybe, but someone would have to make sure the pressure was maintained? Hot Deaerated backfill is only good for 2 weeks, so it would have been stupid to use that, could be a hydrazine layup, but an adequate level in the head tank has to be maintained, combined with desicant bags on the fire sides of the boiler and in the uptakes? Or was a completely dry lay up done, with desicant bags all over the place? Desicant bags do need to be changed though, not sure if any of this was maintained So many variables.

Star fox, if your organization would like me to help with an inspection of the propulsion plant let me know. I would be glad to help out. We would need to get a portable generator though so we can light up the fire and engine rooms. Other concerns would be Gas Free epuipment and a qualified person to boot, because there is no way anyone should be going in a void or enclosure without a gas free cirtificate. Safety is key and I would not want anyone, including myself to be hurt, or dead.
A plan of action and requirements would have to be written up for everyones well being. Good luck Star Fox, and thanks for supporting a great lady like the SS United States.

And thanks to the others for those cruise ship girl pictures.

[StarFox]

Actually as much as we would love to return her to active service sailing the world, we currently believe that the best outlet for the ship is as a Static hotel, museum, and convention Center in New York

NCL is the only group that has inspected her in recent years, they conculded that it was feasable to return her to active service. It has also been reported that the SS United States Conservancy I believe was shown underwater video of the Hull of the ship, according to them, it is in good shape, with little marine growth

As far as her layup concerns, she was abruptly laid up in 1969, half way through a major overhaul, so I cannot even begin to guess what was done and what was not. I do not know of any inspections of her turbines

no matter what however, to return the Big U to operation is estimated to cost more then $500 Million USD. which is more then the cost of a new cruise ship in most cases.

even the cost to restore her as a hotel would be HUGE, far more then the Independence. which is why I believe that the Indy is a good stepping stone...however it seems time is now against us.

Hopefully, we can get enough press about the ship, and do enough to 1, prevent her beaching, 2, get people with the money to buy and operate the Independence, or the United States as a hotel, convention center and maritime museum

[swifty]

Good Luck. Unfortunately judging but their current state they will never sail again. I just can't see a company being able to make a profit when a new ship cost the same and trying to get people to sail on an old dated ship when there is the Cunard Line offering the same experience with more amenities and luxuries.

I also see little chance that of them being successful as hotel and conference center. Their design just leave them too cramped and closed in.

Where you might find success is in partnering with one of the US naval museums and turning it into a hotel, restaurant and museum. Being a museum it could fall under a not for profit saving lots of money.

Both need a lot of work but I have to say the United States looks more regal and what an ocean liner should look like she also appears to have more history with the Blue Riband award.

Photos of the two in their current State
S.S. United States
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...4612&encType=1

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...lphia_2005.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...d_StatesMP.Jpg

SS Independence
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...2749&encType=1

[Thermographer]

I'd love to cross the Atlantic again in anything that wouldn't require breathing recycled air or require me to stand watch!
Cruse ship, sailing ship.. either! I bet the company would be better as well. ( see above bikini pics )

[geetrue]

I agree with Swifty ... the SS United States is the better looking one as far a real sleek look.

As a last ditch effort, contact the US Navy asking them if they would consider a novel idea of having the SS United States as a recruiting office.

Berth it somewhere in Florida for the tourist trade to impress those young lad's and lassie's to join up someday.

Plus after 39 years in the water, those zinc's are gone ... you got to have a thin sheet of metal somewhere ...
by the way what does a $100 a day come to for 39 years? That's the minimum charge for tying up a ship that big or else some else has their heart and soul in this grand old ship.

Good luck ...

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Thermographer

I'd love to cross the Atlantic again in anything that wouldn't require breathing recycled air or require me to stand watch!
Cruse ship, sailing ship.. either! I bet the company would be better as well. ( see above bikini pics )

Cruise Liners.....best way to travel

[SteminDemon13]

Originally Posted by StarFox

Actually as much as we would love to return her to active service sailing the world, we currently believe that the best outlet for the ship is as a Static hotel, museum, and convention Center in New York

NCL is the only group that has inspected her in recent years, they conculded that it was feasable to return her to active service. It has also been reported that the SS United States Conservancy I believe was shown underwater video of the Hull of the ship, according to them, it is in good shape, with little marine growth

As far as her layup concerns, she was abruptly laid up in 1969, half way through a major overhaul, so I cannot even begin to guess what was done and what was not. I do not know of any inspections of her turbines

no matter what however, to return the Big U to operation is estimated to cost more then $500 Million USD. which is more then the cost of a new cruise ship in most cases.

even the cost to restore her as a hotel would be HUGE, far more then the Independence. which is why I believe that the Indy is a good stepping stone...however it seems time is now against us.

Hopefully, we can get enough press about the ship, and do enough to 1, prevent her beaching, 2, get people with the money to buy and operate the Independence, or the United States as a hotel, convention center and maritime museum

Well, if it get's turned into a hotel convention center and museum, then in essence with some time we could get her running again. She then could go on a cruise maybe 4+ times a year. First she has to be secured by someone though. Then the other necessary steps can be taken to restore her. PM me sometime Starfox.

[StarFox]

Im a few days late on this, but here is a Photo from last friday, the 8th



Wave good bye....although we hope we can stop the ship elsewhere. I cannot give details, I am trying to play it safe.

But we still have hopes the ship can be saved

In other news.....

Originally Posted by SS Maritime

February 12: In June 2007 NCL America announced that the Pride of Hawaii was to be transferred to NCL European fleet and renamed Norwegian Jade, now, Colin Veitch has announced that the Pride of Aloha will follow her, and will head for Asia to be deployed with NCL’s parent company Star Cruises in their Casino fleet of cruise ships in May. Colin Veitch claims that the completion is hurting NCL Hawaiian service, however, NCL America and NCL Cruises, both companies that are loosing a fortune according to their recent financial statements, is I feel due to the massive damage done to their image because of what they have done to their three classic liners as we have highlighted on the “Save the SS Norway, France Campaign” waged for a number of years, and the “Save the SS Independence & SS United States Campaign” these campaigns have done them far more harm, and I believe it will eventually DESTROY THEM! 21 or more million supporters, (many ex NCL passengers who will never sail with them again) cannot be wrong! NCL, you have been banned from all our cruise plans, and you can go to hell!!!

I cannot agree more with that last sentence. The only time I will ever sail on NCL is on the Maiden Voyage of the SS United States......but, a source in NCL says chances are that will never happen. Which basicaly confirms everything that I, the rest of the Save the Classic Liners team, and Rueben have said for years now.

I would also like to point out, that the founder of NCL, Mr. Knut Klosters, wishes he had not sold he beloved cruise line to NCL, which then got bought by Star Cruises, and was very disapointed at how Star Cruises treated his founding ship, the SS Norway

So it seems things are going down the tube fast for both NCLA, and NCL...and Star Cruises in General. Soon they will have no reason to continue their lease on the SS United States, and then things will begin to get intersting. Who knows which direction things will turn, but I know, as does our Team, that we will spare no effort in ensuring the permanent perservation of the Might SS United States. I will tie myself to the ship if I have to to keep her in America!!

[geetrue]

Isn't it possible to oubid a scrap dealer for the ship you want to save ... ?

All that leaves is somewhere to anchor or dock her and maintain her, right?

[StarFox]

yes, in theory that is all you would have to do, but I do not happen to have $5-10 Million lying around. That is about what the scrap value of the ship is.

We do have a contact in asia who was curious about buying her for a 5 star hotel. we are also working (as i stated before) to stop her soon

the big trick is stopping or buying the ship before she gets beached in India, because once a ship is beached, it gets expenisve to un-beach her

[Etienne]

One question that came to me after the thread went inactive:

Is the fireproofing on the ship asbestos-based?

If so, any conversion project would have to include removing the stuff (And it's a very expensive project) before anything else could happen. Otherwise, it's a huge health hazard...