Fleet, Fast—and Fading
America’s last great liner faces uncertain future
By Eric Wills | From Preservation | September/October 2008
Impossibly sleek and modern, her massive funnels red, white, and blue, the S.S. United States symbolized American power and optimism in the wake of World War II. On the westbound leg of the ship's maiden voyage in 1952, she set a speed record that still stands, taking just three days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes to travel from Bishop Rock off the English coast to Ambrose lightship in New York Harbor.
Today, the S.S. United States languishes dockside on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, and preservationists are increasingly anxious about her fate. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the liner in 2003 and announced plans to return her to service more than three decades after she last carried passengers. The company considered adding the ship to a fleet serving Hawaii, but that has not occurred. At press time, she remains untouched, and hopes for her survival are fading fast.
"People are starting to get a little leery about what Norwegian Cruise Line's intentions are," says Richard Rabbett, a vice president of the S.S. United States Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to saving the ship. "We have to preserve her. She's a tremendously important part of our heritage."
William Francis Gibbs, a renowned naval architect, designed the S.S. United States as a passenger liner that could be converted into a troopship in case of war. He also made her fireproof: Supposedly, the only wood on board consisted of butcher blocks and the grand piano (Steinway refused to manufacture an aluminum one).
Though stripped of her interior fittings, the S.S. United States remains structurally sound. Making her truly seaworthy again, however, could cost $500 million or more. And with steel prices at record highs, preservationists worry that the cruise company will find it more profitable to have her scrapped.
Steve Ciccalone denies that possibility: "She's not at risk and won't be at risk." Ciccalone oversees environmental and safety compliance for Norwegian Cruise Line and also tends to the S.S. United States. He says he's working on new plans to return the ship to service but won't discuss details.
If the cruise company can't make the numbers work, the conservancy will propose contingency plans, Rabbett says. He has already contacted developers and local officials in New York City who might be willing to dock the ship on the West Side and turn her into a hotel, restaurant, or museum. "She's the last greyhound of the North Atlantic," he says. "We can't let her be scrapped."
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Comments
Submitted by Joan at: October 27, 2010
I was a child of 5 when my mother and I sailed on the SS United States in February, 1953 to join my father stationed in Germany. In spite of rough winter weather, it was an adventure. We returned to the U.S. on the ship in May of 1955. I remember we passed the Queen Mary while enroute. Our ship was faster. I recently found photos of us on the ship and they brought back great memories. I hope the grand ship is restored. I'd hate to see her go to the scrappers.
Submitted by Pats at: August 6, 2010
In an age in which cruise ships look like freighters w/ Holiday Inns sitting on top, just a glance at those funnels on the United States reminds me that she was built for speed, not capacity. We won't see another like her, which makes the loss even sadder.
Submitted by misslynnie at: July 1, 2010
i have an original RCA Rradiogram shore to ship from USS United States dated Feb 1 1953.My father stationed in Germany informs my mother who is on board, sailing out of new york,that he will be there to meet her upon ships's arrival at Bremerhaven. I was born in Suttgart 8/16/53,so technically I guess can say I was onboard-2nd trans Atlantic crossing?
Submitted by gregwood at: March 26, 2010
If there is a single artifact from the 20th century that could inform future generations of the one time greatness of humanity, this ship has to be IT. If there is one action that would epitomise the degeneration of civilization in this century, it would be slaughtering her for the pittance of the price of her scrapmetal.
Submitted by craigie at: March 24, 2010
My cousins were frequent passengers on this ship in the 1950's and as a child I was enthralled by their stories and photos. Now, I see the proud ship languishing in Philadelphia and I so long to see her restored. If not as a passenger liner, then at least restored in NYC as a floating Hotel and museum and possibly a casino to help preserve this proud icon of American Maritime supremacy. We have saved countless warships -- why not save the epitomy of speed and luxury in the post war heyday of our maritime power. Losing the SS United States would be as tragic as losing Mt. Vernon to demolition. Let's get the nation behind a restoration plan...
Submitted by Daph at: March 24, 2010
In June 1952 I went on board this ship at its berth in New York City. A friend was going to tour Europe with a small group. I could not afford to go but it was very exciting to see them off. At that age I probably did not really appreciate the beauty of that ship. Her kind parents insisted on taking me out to lunch afterwards. By the time we had enough money to go across the Atlantic we had to fly over the pole from California as my husband only got 2 weeks of vacation.
Submitted by Alan at: March 24, 2010
I sailed on her in February 1958, New York to Bremerhaven. I was a teenager going to Europe alone. I shared a tourist class cabin with several Welshmen who'd been working in Canada, now going home. There were a number of young G.I. brides aboard on their way to join their husbands in Germany. Many of them treated it as a last fling. Our parties in Tourist Class were so much fun that Cabin Class passengers came down and joined them. Seas were rough and there were guide ropes up in the dining room. Months later, I returned from Le Harve via Southhampton to New York. It was a floating ballroom and party on both crossings, very classy.
Submitted by John at: March 24, 2010
I sailed on the SS United States in September 1967 with a bunch of Fulbrights headed for study abroad (I was a half-bright) and, while the ship was considered the least luxurious of its contemporaries, it was sheer heaven for five days. A free juke box. Beer for 10c. A courteous crew. Five meals a day. Great good fun. I'm saddened by its possible demise. . .the fastest ocean liner ever built. (Faster even than we bragged; its actual potential speed was several knots an hour faster, information that was kept confidential in those Cold War days.)
Submitted by Larry at: December 3, 2009
Why isn't the ship declaired a national landmark. At least that would save her from the scrap heap.
Submitted by John at: June 3, 2009
But what are aluminum prices doing? One of the ship's unique features is its aluminum superstructure.
Submitted by Clay at: May 22, 2009
Scrap steel prices were at all-time highs late last year, and have since dropped about 75%. Steel is now in the range it traded from 2004-2007.
Submitted by Me at: April 28, 2009
Why is this great ship not on the most endangered list?
Submitted by Will at: February 24, 2009
The ship is now up for sale by Norwegian Cruise lines!! She must be preserved! And now the ship is finally getting a large group of people to all come together to save her
Submitted by SaveTheSSUnitedStates at: January 2, 2009
When people wait around for others to save important parts of our History,litte is accomplished. When others with a vision and determination band together Great things are achieved! This is what the SSUS is lacking! Too many Bench Warmers and not enough Players On The Field!