Abandoned - S.S America

This video is a re-upload of my Abandoned episode 51.
In 1940, a stunning and iconic vessel was launched called the S.S America. A ship of pride for the United States and after a long career in her golden years, the vessel ended up in a state of limbo for a while. She was left abandoned floating aimlessly until she was bought out and renamed to the SS American Star. Fate had saved her... or did it?
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The original video was stuck down by a website. To respect their wishes, this upload has had some media cut or replaced. I really do love this video, so I made an effort to re-upload it, consciencely removing media from the website who did not want it in.
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BrightSunFilms 2021

[@AtrocityEquine01]

The fact her bow survived for so long despite rotting away is impressive.

[@creativeusername1013]

that's classic architecture for ya. We actually cared about infrastructure and integrity back then lol

[@shinji1264]

@@creativeusername1013 but if it;s structurally sound then how long will it take them to come and buy some more?!?! -Capitalist.

[@Ash-dd3kx]

@@shinji1264 It's probably in the ship-builders, engineers and pretty much everyone's best interest to ensure the ship has longevity. I don't think creating awful ships would get you repeat customers. I don't think ship-building companies can even accomodate for planned obscellence with how much of an investment huge ships are. It's not like a phone. 🤡

[@k.o.h3599]

@@Ash-dd3kx actually, when it comes to cruise ships, there's a stigma surrounding aging ships... When it comes to profitability, coming out with bigger, sleeker, and more technologically advanced cruise ships every 10/15 years is pretty common. No one wants to stay in a hotel room that only has one electrical outlet for charging devices and watching movies etc... And it's always cheaper to build new then it is to renovate...

[@k.o.h3599]

@@Ash-dd3kx also, there's a lot more going on in ships compared to phones... Really any mass transit vehicles- busses, trains, planes, boats... Interior design is a big factor, styles have very short lifespans, it's like spending the night at your granny house. No one would pay for that. Safety features such as life boats, fire suppression systems, life jackets, navigation systems etc all need to be replaced as newer and better systems are designed/invented... And above all, the engines... 30 year old engines are very inefficient, and create a lot more pollution compared to newer ones...

[@jamesmeury3513]

If I’m being honest I think the “death” this ship had was a good ending rather then being scraped, it got to die with the ocean it had sailed on for many years.

[@Lucrativecris]

It seems like it was a peaceful death to the ship

[@jamesmeury3513]

@@Lucrativecris yes

[@andreasbalfanz8511]

It eccapted fate and died peacefully

[@randomuser9883]

She was already gonna have happy ending she was being towed to Thailand to become a five star hotel only then the storm came…

[@fettymax7367]

why am i crying over a ship

[@abimottram9091]

Did I see the original? Yes. Do I know this information already? Yes. Will I be watching this 3 times over anyway? Also yes.

[@BrightSunFilms]

The ultimate G

[@abimottram9091]

@@BrightSunFilms you know it 😉😁

[@datoneslav6902]

me rn

[@Thats_Frostbite]

Same 😂

[@zakp.2759]

EXACTLY!

[@timacoata7456]

Rest In Peace SS America 🇺🇸 . Passenger 1959 NY to Bremen Germany. She served well. And was a beautiful ship. Took our family safely and in style across the Atlantic. Her memory rest in my heart. Thank you for putting this out there to view.

[@jburgos961]

I'm surprised it wasn't just permanently based and used as a Museum of sorts or something like that to honor the ship.

[@Emira_75]

@@jburgos961 yeh American historic institutes really dropped the ball by not rescue buying it in the 80’s

[@BanjoWasTaken]

that's honestly so cool hw you were on it

[@Wargasm54]

Wow. Amazing

[@robmanueb.]

Took me and my family to New Zealand in 1976. I was eight years old and explored every part of the ship on the voyage, sometimes with the crews permission, sometime not. Was an amazing journey, first ship through after the war in the Suez.

[@coltonandjen]

I saw the original, but hey I'll watch it again since I love the series so much

[@BrandanVenne]

Same

[@jonathannhernandez]

Same

[@RocheeBoy]

I've watched this vide four times actually lol

[@emerald4227]

Same

[@bobclarie]

In 1960 I was 13, and sailed on the SS America with my Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister to Europe. It was a magical time. Took many B&W photos and still have them today. Thanks for sharing the history of this iconic ship. Bob

[@Colspex]

See if you can send scans to Jake, I'm sure he would love to see them! Especially with your story.

[@bobclarie]

@@Colspex I will scan a few and send to Jake. Thanks Colspex

[@gretchenlittle6817]

My family made a similar trip in 1964 on the United States. I was only 6 but I remember some parts quite clearly. Too bad none of us took any pictures -- yours must be fascinating!

[@Hammerhead547]

If the ship had become the floating hotel it was supposed to be it would've almost certainly been destroyed by the 2006 Tsunami, phuket was one of the hardest hit areas by that disaster.

[@BrightSunFilms]

That’s so true! Wow I never thought of that…

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Aw, phuket! The ship was just doomed.

[@tiadaid]

2004 Tsunami, not 2006.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Real life posiedon adventure

[@AndyHappyGuy]

I’ve been to Phuket and it looks pretty nice now.

[@rogerjackson4578]

Oh My God. First of all, I thank you for this video. Secondly, this ship actually saved my life when it was the Australis owned by Chandris Lines. Back in 1966 my father died suddenly when I was 9yrs old and cutting a long story short the grief I had nearly killed me. Doctors gave up on me, I was on my way out of this world and the only thing they could think of was for me to go on a holiday - so my mother booked a cruise and we sailed from Southampton on the day of the 1966 World Cup Final. I remember it so, so well - you wouldn't believe how much I can remember ..... Southampton to Le Havre (to pick up French passengers) to Lisbon to Naples to Cannes to Casablanca to Le Havre and back to Southampton. Oh gosh, the memories of that holiday. The holiday actually cured me. Oh, what can I say, the gradual demise of this ship is just so, so sad - I could just weep. I've lost a dear friend

[@robloxmemedudes]

So you're 50+ years old and commenting on KZbin? That is amazing. But yes, it is very sad that this ship is, practically just dying. I personally think that even damaged ships can be used for something. I've imagined amusement parks inside of abandoned ships. It's great to have someone who has literally been on the ship not forget it to this day.

[@stephenhendy1]

hi . i was 10 at that time but remember the australis . as living in southampton and still live half mile from docks.

[@lumberc]

Real ones remember when this video first came out

[@firefightercentral]

i do

[@ashtonbrown4318]

Truth

[@phdman]

He commented on my comment when I told him it was gone

[@thatonenerd9252]

It was my favorite episode!

[@nazmanaebbbz]

lol

[@Sillybutts]

Thanks for going through the effort of reuploading instead of just deleting. It is appreciated!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Absolutely! I really liked that video so I brought it back!

[@KiegKillsReality]

@@BrightSunFilms Thank god you did! It’s one of my favorites!

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@KiegKillsReality Don't kid yourself, they only do it for fresh income, not for you.

[@KiegKillsReality]

@@PreservationEnthusiast ok buddy. Frankly, I don’t really care.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@KiegKillsReality Yes I understand. You are part of of the sheep mentality clickbait crowd. You just consume, and don't think why.

[@bellaanddarbythebeagle7240]

Who else was excited for a new episode....and then cried when they realized it’s a re upload

[@alessm2206]

@EusoikGT - Gran Turismo Gameplays & More no it got a copyright strike pretty much

[@BrightSunFilms]

Sorry! New videos on the way I promise. I have a lot down the pipeline.

[@bellaanddarbythebeagle7240]

@@BrightSunFilms it’s ok Jake, take your time👍 also just wanted you to know, I wrote a college essay and your video on the Randall Park Mall really helped me out. So thank you for giving us beautiful content

[@melissajohnson2935]

I still watched it 😂

[@austinyeager6812]

Haha I was like “what you’ve done this my guy” lol

[@seriously.....]

The crew that filmed the wreckage after the ship broke in two is amazing documentation to have especially now that there's nothing left. And the illumination they did is the icing on the cake!! what a beautiful wreckage it was before it sank into the sea completely RIP SS America 🇺🇸

[@samuellourenco1050]

It is amazing how the interiors were preserved when the ship was left to rot. This is a testament to the building quality, since there was little to no water ingress after all these years. A modern ship left in those conditions would probably have their interiors completely rotten.

[@astrodolphin8219]

not how it works but alright

[@berndkemmereit8252]

I'm impressed by the quality build of that ship.

[@trevorn9381]

“We shall build good ships here; at a profit, if we can; at a loss, if we must; But always good ships” - Collis Potter Huntington, founder of Newport News Shipbuilding

[@jeepwrangler1114]

my grandmother came to America from Ireland on this ship. Interesting to learn more about it.

[@jamesspinks716]

I traveled to New Zealand on that ship in 1974. I have fond memories of that trip.

[@lindaterrell5535]

I was on the SS United States in 1956.

[@mattcraztex9940]

The Ocean gave her a career like no other. May she rest in the waves she served. Well deserved.

[@xd._.earnest1672]

@@rohan2558 I mean, I see no problems many ship did, this one was just abandoned even after so many years of service

[@felixsmdt]

When I was about 7, I was fascinated by shipwrecks. I had this exact picture of the ss america on my wall. So cool to learn the backstory. Thank you

[@jjy1463]

I had the pleasure of sailing on this beauty in the 1960s when I was young. I still remember the voyage (from Europe to NYC) fondly to this day.

[@detective-biscuit15]

What was it like?

[@matthewcox6615]

I can remember watching this whilst on Fuerteventura, the very island where the SS America ran aground. Thank you for uploading this again!

[@johnp139]

While

[@_Mamba]

Thank you for the archival work Matthew!

[@matthewcox6615]

@@_Mamba You’re welcome! I would hate to see this beautiful ship forgotten. What kind of respect would that be?

[@tjnucnuc]

Noticed your footage can’t wait to watch it. I owe this ship my life. It brought my family to the US in the late 50s.

[@stheteller7470]

You should just make a playlist of all of your ship videos, the ones from abandoned, bankrupt, canceled, and "the story of", in order of release date. Your ship videos are my favorites and most rewatchable. I was heartbroken when I saw this video gone when going through a marathon and not finding it. Thank you for re-uploading it.

[@StealsAndEatsYourSandwich]

How and why did I become obsessed with ships that sunk or rusted to death- Oh well, still really cool!

[@user-td4gh6kj2z]

A ship named after a nation, abandoned by her people, and ultimately left to disappear with time. Heres hoping we don't wind up going the same route.

[@matthewcox6615]

The ignorance of man.

[@cateyes22Q]

You could say that for her sister ship The United States as well, being dry docked with faded colors and no future. At least the SS America had a fighting spirit and stayed above land in some form for over 10 years.

[@boataxe4605]

@@cateyes22QShe’s floating,not dry docked.

[@Pilgrim06]

Fondest memories of this graceful ship, when I travelled as a 12 year old with my family, from Greece to Sydney Australia, when we migrated there, in 1976. There wasn’t a corner of that boat that we had not explored as children! Still have the menus from festive banquets served on board.

[@balazs7235]

What a sad story this ship has. It was destined to do great things and in return, it was tossed around like some left over until its final demise. The sheer thought of a stranded ship this size is mind boggling. I wish I had the chance to see it in person.

[@Blue-Star-Line]

Remember seeing this when it came out first, Great Video!

[@portza6363]

hi david

[@matthewcox6615]

I have actually been to the beach where the ship was wrecked. It is hard to believe that there was once a huge ship stranded there. This ship was once the pride of its namesake country and had just been left to rot until nothing was left. It was definitely one of the most intriguing shipwrecks in the world.

[@harrisonmckenzie4905]

I lived in Fuerteventura for a year in 2006 and we drove down to see the wreck, it was like the last picture at the beginning of the video. I remember there being very high winds that day and there were lots of pieces of the wreck scattered along the shoreline and on the beach and we took a piece of the ship with us but its gotten lost over the years.

[@JesseGillett]

Its back! Another great piece of content from BSF.

[@pokefanandhype3513]

Wow Jesse

[@thebestkdbfan8295]

You got that right

[@portza6363]

how was this posted a month ago

[@magicaleditz]

@@portza6363 He probably has early access

[@socalgal714]

Tragic, but fitting. I think that She would probably rather go back to the sea than become a tin can.

[@pablodar1]

This episode is new to me!

[@tvforeverus]

Nothing says staying home and watching KZbin better on a Friday evening than a brand new edition of Abandoned! Okay...a reupload but hey I’m treating it as if it were new!

[@DeliciousHotShmoze]

It’s new to you, which is just as good.

[@sandynaylor3621]

In 1962 when I was 9, my family took the SS America from LeHarve France to New York. My sister and I had so much fun! I remember winning $13.00 in a bingo game, and learning card tricks in one of the lounges. We were in first class, but we brought kids from coach into our area to play. We played shuffleboard, and must have lost 100 ping pong balls over the rail. They finally brought us a whole box of ping pong balls because we kept asking for more. I also remember the great milkshakes! Thanks for posting this. I’m 68 now, and will always be grateful to my parents for all the exciting adventures we had! Also, they made us go up on deck to see the Statue of Liberty as we approached New York. Even though we were raised overseas, our parents made sure we knew we were from the greatest country on earth! ❤️

[@meepthirteen]

That is one tough ship! Respect.

[@michaeltroster9059]

Sad to see the horrible fate that awaits these ships. I regard them as living things...silly I know, but....

[@WinVisten]

@@michaeltroster9059 I used to as a kid too, when I was reeeeaalllly young. Vehicles, but especially ships, were my thing back then.

[@cateyes22Q]

Definitely a fighter!

[@gregchartrand8848]

My father served on this ship in the war and had fond memories of it and his service. Thanks for uploading it.

[@XDrZaneX]

I remember watching the original but I'll watch again. Thanks for editing and reuploading instead of deleting. Appreciate your hard work, and love this series. C:

[@Troyjr2423]

The Part where she finally went underwater literally brought me to tears... so sad to see such a beautiful ship go...

[@DM-hw4cr]

Amazing how the salt water completely dissolved the whole structor

[@romeoslover817]

Jake, I feel you have outdone yourself with this one. Do not ever lose interested in making films. Your truly gifted.

[@ryan8960]

Thank you so so so much for reaploading this Master piece of a video

[@leew878]

I am so happy this video is back. Like many, I too tried to locate this video and wondered why it was no longer posted. This shipwreck is so unique and I could only imagine standing on the shore, looking at the ship while it was illuminated during the art project.

[@elderjoe1]

Been a while since I had seen the original upload. This was a well timed refresher. Great episode.

[@vinnm4516]

Oh hell yeah, time for a rewatch! Thank you for all your hard work!

[@Jad_Productions]

Thank you so much for re-uploading this video, this was my favorite video.

[@xBlueWolf]

I was wondering why it looked familiar... Bright Sun Films is one of my favorite channels. Flawless editing and topics. Thanks!

[@jacobleukus6930]

Ah a classic, really love your videos and it’s cool to see how you actively talk with people in comments even though this channel is as big as it is. Looking forward to all the content in the future

[@Lucky7tattooNettahoe]

One of my favorite topics - glad to see u bring it back up.

[@livinglikeananimal]

Your ship videos are some of my favorites! Glad to see this one back.

[@robertnegron9706]

This was the sister ship of the USS United States. My dad (RIP) took me aboard the US when I was a kid. My dad was- a merchant marine in ＷW 2. Told me stories of German Wolfpack’s haunting convoys and torpedos running near the ships.

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Hey Jake, maybe one day for "Abandoned", you could talk about the RMS Queen Elizabeth, the infamous sister ship to the RMS Queen Mary

[@RailPreserver2K]

Oh yeah thats right, it even got a cameo in james bond

[@boataxe4605]

But she was never abandoned.

[@eloramaxwell7020]

You're honestly the best for keeping this up. Love this video

[@harshad.k14]

A few weeks ago I wanted to share it with my friends but realized that it was removed. Thank you for re-uploading! This is one of the interesting documentaries.

[@dag067]

As the SS Australis, it brought me as a 4yo and my family, from England to Sydney, Australia to start our new life. A 4 week journey I believe, not that I really remember anything about the journey. Thank you Chandris Lines and the SS Australis.🌍🚢🌏

[@djdeadbeat4380]

Well not a bad reminder to watch this one again. One of my favorites

[@navdeep2057]

I love how the narrator makes us emotional and overwhelmed about things we didn't ever hear about before the video.

[@ntk2610]

Man I was looking for this episode the other day and was sad when I couldn't find it. Glad it's re-uploaded

[@SanderEvers]

I really love the series on this channel. Thank you for the great and well documented videos!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@NHSSHINOBI]

This channel made me interested in ships and their history. Thank you.

[@t_k_o_l]

It was the first video of yours that I watched, still a great video, glad to rewatch it

[@Lunicaplays]

Omg I was freaked out when I saw this video gone thank you for reposting it!

[@NormalFerrari]

Don’t worry I’ll watch again

[@enadlr2038]

Me too

[@TheGuruStud]

Damn, I'm sad for a ship.

[@sir_vaughn2018]

Ikr

[@Jefvin254]

Dont worry

[@MrChopemup]

I lives in fuertaventura On and off for years. I saw the decay from this ship in various States. If you go to the restaurants and the bars along that coast. You can see still ,all the fixtures from It, in them .

[@deby5983]

Fascinating!! Thanks for creating and uploading.

[@jamesdorrell9134]

Thanks Jake for re uploading. 😀

[@Truckngirl]

I hope that with this re-upload you are reaching a wider, new audience. You deserve it, Jake!

[@AbbyPinterEquestrian]

Thank you so much for reuploading this!!

[@fms7293]

Your videos are so well made with how you tell the story and a lot of good photos too, I am now obsessed with ship wrecks/disasters.

[@laurenv7934]

Have I seen this?... yeah. Are Jake's videos so good you can rewatch them more than once...YES!!

[@jonnorthall8526]

When it comes to BSF you never need to wait to like the content cause you know you always will. Excellently written, spoken and put together. Great content Jake as always

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@jand147]

Loved this - thank you for posting

[@lucas_swart]

One of my favourites too. Thanks for the re-upload

[@zachb5507]

Hey Jake maybe you could make a video about the Research Vessel Arctic Discoverer. It was a ship used in the 1980’s to search for and successfully retrieve the largest amount of shipwrecked treasure in United States history from the sunken SS Central America. The Arctic Discoverer is currently sitting abandoned at a shipyard near Jacksonville, Florida and it is slowly sinking into the river unfortunately. The history behind the r/v and the man who found the treasure is pretty interesting so I thought this might be a worthy idea for a future video :)

[@Uufda651]

Ooooh that would be super interesting

[@treesters]

oh it’s back up! no wonder why i couldn’t find it-i was trying to binge watch your videos the past week, lmao

[@gasstationincanada4990]

I was looking for this episode 2 weeks age thanks for reposting it

[@SamWilliams78]

It’s back! I swear I went to rewatch this a few months ago after seeing it in recommended a billion times and it had been taken down. I was so bummed

[@Genos2600]

Been here since almost the beginning. Jake, you're one of the best content creators on KZbin. Keep it up you have a bright future ahead of you!.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@geoffreygroome3344]

Went to the UK from Auckland NZ around 1973

[@Robert3377]

Glad to see this one back up!

[@tebjylesoldevilla6564]

I love this video this is my 3 of the favorite of them I will watch this 10 times thank you for the re-upload Bright sun films😀

[@MaxTheMann]

Excellent! I was fascinated with the SS America and its entire history as a kid, and even built a model of the wreck. I spent hours on research and actually found out that the many of the crew and passengers from the Australis era have reconnected online and are a connected community who remembers the ship (and other Chandris ships) quite fondly during its Chandris life. The wreck highly fascinated me as well and I was often following the Explorer Magazine blog documenting the ships dilapidation. The entire history of the vessel is fascinating, including its military service as the West Point.

[@marka2520]

This is one of the most interesting ship stories I have seen. The pictures of her decay in Fautueventura are incredibly striking and poignant.

[@thebestkdbfan8295]

Whenever you upload it always puts a smile on my face 😀😀😀 love the vids

[@larrywt656]

At least you were able to preserve the episode. I remember seeing the original, and this was just as informative. I don't really know what you had to cut out, but this is just as good.

[@crustycobs2669]

Awesome video, great narration, obscure history. Somehow symbolic, the names of those sister-ships rotting away. Thanks for uploading.

[@TheOneTrueLeo2002]

I always wondered where this video went, glad I’m able to rewatch it again. :-)

[@INSERTNAMExHERE]

I wish some of these ships were still around, and maintained in such a way how Boston keeps the famous USS Constitution alive. To step back in time like that would be so amazing

[@J.chengretta]

I love this channel, their videos have the best quality and quite frankly I am addicted to their channel. Keep it up guys!

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Thank you for another wonderful video. I did a cruise on this ship in 1967 from Wellington, New Zealand. Although I have been on other cruises in recent years I still remember the Australis with fondness. Sad to see that it finished its life this way.

[@arthurmorgan4450]

I remember watching this originally and it is still just as amazing

[@benjaminjacobson6666]

Thanks for giving me an excuse to watch it again!

[@tatanhc]

Thanks for re-uploading the video!! :D

[@PennsyRailroad]

Thanks for assembling this footage and story.

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

CONGRATULATIONS JAKE ON THE MILLI!!!!!

[@ThePowerofJames]

I was hoping for an update, since, from what I understand it is basically gone now, since the last google images seem to only show the shadow of some wreck under the water. Will still re-watch this and await the next full video!

[@darold1966]

One of your best films. Thank you

[@cordeliacullen2621]

These abandoned ships and places are so fascinating to me. I was thinking about this vid the other day, glad to see the reupload!

[@brianharley3496]

Hello @Cordelia Cullen

[@farwolff]

babe, wake up. jake just uploaded

[@BIendtecc]

Perfect! Another ship video 🥰

[@johndonaldson3619]

I never saw this previously so a bit THANK YOU - it was An AMAZING story!!!

[@alankoza1917]

another quality documentary from bright sun films ... thanks Jake