Back in the news..Link fixed*
Thomas Kaufmann: Saving the S.S. United States, the last great ocean line
A while back, I put up a story of this magnificent ocean liner that was towed from NY to Mobile, AL for demolition-prep. The plan was to then tow the ship to a point off the coast of Destin, FL where it would be sunk for the purpose of creating an artificial reef. Now, there is new hope to save and restore the ship to it's former glory. Read all about it HERE.
The hotlink takes me to the Blogger dashboard...
ReplyDeleteFor three decades now 'preservation plans' for the SS US have been a scam - all funds raised go to pay docking fees that are artificially inflated in collusion with the fundraisers, and anytime donations lag the pier owner claims a charitable donation or an uncollectable debt on his taxes.
ReplyDeleteHope so. America has become a throw away society, look at our landfills.
ReplyDeleteLandfills will be mined for the valuable stuff that the throwaway society threw away, in the not too distant future.
DeleteI am of two minds on this one. As an amateur maritime historian, I value the ships preservation. But as a diver, and marine enthisiast, i would aso like to see the ship serve a better purpose than being converted to rust and razor blades. I have had the great pleasure of diving the Vandenberg, the Spiegel Grove, the SS Vermillion, and other ship/reefs. Their value as artificial reefs, providing habitat, shelter, sport fishing, and recreational diving is incalculable. I say set her in a place of honor, and let her serve a usefull purpose for the next several thousand years, not just line some bureaucrats' pockets.
ReplyDeleteGood points MD.
DeleteI believe it's too late. The first funnel has been removed.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/SCjne49c9QY?si=vi3tePlgS-H3uO3v
Bayouwulf
The SS America was berthed for decades in Philadelphia and not New York.
ReplyDeleteCORRECTION: SS United States...
DeleteIf private funding wants to save and restore, that's fine. No taxpayer money should be used though.
ReplyDeleteIf there's one ship that should have been preserved but wasn't, HMS Warspite is the one.
ReplyDeleteServed both world wars with a record second to none.
Holds the record for the longest shell hit in a naval battle.
A Swordfish she launched was the first to sink a U boat in the war.
My dad served on her in the Med.