SS United States Conservancy in South Philadelphia faces eviction

You have probably seen the massive ship docked at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia. The SS United States was once known as "the queen of the seas". The vessel's caretakers are sending out a SOS as it faces the threat of eviction. Joe Holden reports.

[@sptownsend999]

*It is an Ocean Liner, not a "cruise liner."* Ocean Liners are purpose built to _cross the ocean._ Cruise ships are designed to _waste time on the water._ You guys didn't give William Francis Gibbs enough credit for the brilliant genius he was, and it's downright shameful you didn't even show a picture of him.

[@129jaystreet]

Settle down Bevis.

[@luke_skywanker7643]

Tell 'em, man. It ticks me off when our journalism 'experts' get even the easy stuff wrong.

[@129jaystreet]

@@luke_skywanker7643 local news stations are pathetic. They staff their newsrooms with a bunch of wanna-bes imbeciles who work a pittance for what they perceive as "prestige."

[@zspolson]

Didn't mention the Blue Riband, either. Fastest liner ever built.

[@Burritosuupreme]

It’s also not a boat

[@derradune6722]

Aren’t there any billionaires out there with a spare few million in their back pockets?

[@niagarawarrior9623]

that was literally my first thought while watching the video. $1 million dollars would go a very long way for this project and it would only be pocket change to them.

[@bobroberts2371]

One million would do very little. The battle ship New Jersey is facing a drydock to repaint the hull at a cost of $ 10 Million.

[@simonrussell6884]

There were a couple of solid chances to save the ship some 25 odd years ago …all fell through for the same reason, there’s just no recouping 100’s of Millions of dollars becoming a Museum or Restaurant…It has since been literally gutted and rusted for another 20 years. The Queen Mary in Long Bech CA has all her original fittings and is functional hotel and it still costs the City Millions of Dollars every year.

[@kman-mi7su]

That ship is not worth the money frankly. It's not even a historical artifact It's been stripped to the bone. Scrap it.

[@timshelby2324]

Just a hole in the water where money disappears .

[@gman197922725]

This is made even sadder by the fact that the hardest part of the needed restoration/renovation is already done, the removal of the asbestos. The museum director from the Battleship New Jersey Museum visited recently, and remarked on how much better the condition of the ship was than he expected before hand. She looks rusty, but structurally she is solid, and the internal spaces of the ship are in good mechanical state.

[@DucknCoverin]

You’re looking at a half billion dollar project just to faithfully design and reproduce the original mid century modern looking asbestos interiors with more modern materials. Every interior fitting would need to be researched and replicated. So would the furniture. Then there’s hundreds of miles of electrical and plumbing it would need to facilitate any sort of visitors. Then there’s ventilation and climate control that would have to be engineered. It’s good structurally, but it’s a monumental task. I get his optimism because what’s here is still viable, but It’s not like a mothballed battleship where everything is intact and you just preserve/restore. This is easily a billion dollar project just to make it cosmetically restored, tenable for visitors, and run from shore power.

[@jenshep1720]

@@DucknCoverin assuming you want to create an authentic experience of ocean travel in the sixties. theoretically, you could do none of that and convert it to a normal, modern hotel space, or like she said a mixed use space. that would at least be better than losing her entirely, even if its not what wed all like to happen ideally.

[@CaptRR]

I talked to Ryan late last year when I was visiting New jersey, and even he admitted that he didn't think it would ever get restored, the cost is just too high, and museum ships are always strapped for cash. I'm paraphrasing of course, but that was the gist.

[@alannewman85]

@@jenshep1720I think yours is the best thought comment here. So many are so negative or hopelessly dreaming. The structure is sound. Paint it. There’s an opportunity there so get it looking like it. If an area has attractions and real estate is expensive this is the solution.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

It was probably removed for no reason because if it was between cladding and the structure then it was perfectly safe.

[@john-dz6wk]

It's not a boat it's a ship.

[@johnnyhollis9977]

Yeah, makes me cringe when I hear people say that!!! I usually correct people by saying it's a ship and ships carry boats! 😉👍

[@seanwebb605]

It's a rusted hull.

[@TtanicFanDude]

@@seanwebb605 ...of a SHIP.

[@johnnyhollis9977]

True, all the saleable fixtures and fittings were stripped and sold off by the owners in the 80's and 90's which is typical! 🙄@@seanwebb605

[@seanwebb605]

@@TtanicFanDude The raw, rusted remains of materials that use to be configured as a ship.

[@BiggHoss]

This ship is a great representation of our country in it's current state

[@rickjarvis5954]

Sad but true.

[@VTXHobbies]

So true

[@spudwickthrockmorton2112]

I’ve always said that about Detroit

[@JP-vs1ys]

Sad but not true. Would be if we had another trump administration tho.

[@tyler93539]

@@spudwickthrockmorton2112 LMAO

[@fredmullison4246]

A metaphor for the county itself.

[@mambi74]

That was going to be my comment - sad that its so painfully obvious.

[@pogonomyrmexrugosus6240]

indeed

[@theseventhgeneration6910]

I absolutely was thinking the same thing before half way through this video.

[@ostrich67]

Either keep moving forward or sit and rust?

[@smithgroove945]

Yes, once the greatest power on earth. Succumbed to Narcissists.

[@Mad1Mike]

This is a very historic ship. It broke the Blue Ribbon, and some said at less than have throttle. Speed was something like 38 Knots, 45MPH, top speed was classified. It was subsidized by our government in case we needed a super-fast troopship. Lots of aluminum was used in the structure, and the only wood was the piano and the butcher's block I have read. The British and the French had the best ships at the time it was built, we saved their ass in WWII, so why should we not have a great ship, a better, faster ship. No true ocean liner is left operating except the RMS Queen Mary 2. There is no question she won't go back to sea, but it deserves the same respect as the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

[@DK-gy7ll]

A 990-foot, 45,000 ton displacement vessel is not a BOAT. It's a SHIP!!! A boat is what you go fishing with.

[@thekidfromcleveland3944]

Unless it's a submarine

[@beedalton9675]

In a mariner merchant,, we say boat or ship,,, she still the queen of the blue ribbon

[@kurtpena5462]

@@beedalton9675 In the Navy, we know the difference.

[@jdslyman1720]

​@@beedalton9675The United States has a section dedicated to her on the ship she took the Blue Riband from, as a matter of fact. She is in the museum area on the Queen Mary, which is what used to be C-Deck.

[@Jhromanjr]

@@thekidfromcleveland3944Submarines are classified as a boat.

[@FordHoard]

If this was the Titanic in the same place in the same shape, everyone would be stumbling over each other to save it.

[@Raven9409]

If this was the Titanic, it wouldn't be famous for sinking in 1912, and as such would be long gone.....Titanic's sister ship Olympic was scrapped in the 1930s, so there is no reason to believe Titanic would have had a different fate had she not sunk in 1912.

[@FordHoard]

@Raven9409 Of course it would have been scrapped. I should have said Olympic for comparison. If it was here, everyone would be saving it.

[@altee1966]

Ironically, had the Titanic not sunk, she would have eventually been scrapped and there would be no traces left of her. She would not even be a footnote in history.

[@IZAQ_]

​@@altee1966She probably would have, especially considering that she would have most likely served as a cruise ship, but I do agree that she would not have been at all as well known

[@Noah-ol1vn]

Olympic has more of a history

[@SupramanTRD]

With the US government handing out billions to other countries, and billions in defense spending, you're telling me they can't use that to save one ship? An icon of the USA?

[@Transit_Biker]

That’s not how budgets work.

[@brandonfriesen5389]

Exactly my thoughts. The ship belongs to America. It served Americans. It paved the way forward for modern shipping and marine travel.

[@cleenlivin]

I agree. How many designated landmarks, historic cites, etc. are there that don’t make money but instead pay respect and homage to historical figures, events , watershed moments, etc. The USS Nautilus is preserved as are many other famous ships. The very name of this ship should warrant its preservation for future generations to see.

[@sjwilson1079]

Oh God. Here we go with that parroting drabble from conservative nonsense voters. Hey chuckles. Republican politicians would never designate tax dollars for something like this. They only care about cutting taxes on the rich that bleed working Americans dry.

[@fatbudgiekillen8997]

Look at the Queen Mary at Long beach, went through it in 2014 and was amazed at its grand exterior and interior, now it has an uncertain future. What hope is there for this ship which looks very sad by comparison ?

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

People have no idea what it would cost to restore this vessel. At this point even scrapping it would cost millions.

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

Some hotel chain wanted it years ago to to refurbish to a docked hotel. That fee was going to cost $300 million. About five or so years ago another company wanted to buy the ship and considered to make it ocean worthy. That cost was about $500 million. They build brand new ships for a lot less. The SS Untitled States time, has come and gone. Recycle it, or tow and sink it. Its done.

[@DucknCoverin]

@@johnclamshellsp1969More than that. A typical large modern passenger ship costs $1.5 billion or more. No way the United States could be made sea worthy for $500 million. Not now, or a decade ago. There’s no engines, no electrical, or plumbing. This is massive vessel. Just to restore and outfit what’s there and bring it back to a historically accurate state where it would be tenable for guests would come close to a billion or so. That’s without any sort of engines and running everything from shore power like the Queen Mary. The cost to build her was about 80 million in 1950. That’s well over a billion in 2024 dollars. Everything they did back then minus building the hull would need to be done now…and the cost of hull restoration would probably be about the same as building a completely new hull. The interior design would have to be completely re engineered to forego the original fireproof asbestos materials for more modern ones. Accurately recreating the interior alone would be a half a billion dollar project.

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

@@DucknCoverin Yep. IMO its just floating scrap with a history from long ago.

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

@@johnclamshellsp1969I’m no expert but it may cost more to scrap it than the scrap metal is worth…

[@williamdixon1992]

They successfully did it to the Queen Mary. They can do it to the SS UNITED STATES TOO! She is built tough. She still has a lot of life in her.

[@michaeleaton9096]

Everytime he said boat, I cringed. Someone please tell this guy that boats are what hang off the side of a SHIP!!

[@LilNerdYT159]

🤓

[@stevesparks2001]

Yes that is the most important issue for sure! Don't focus on saving the ship! Focus on the verbiage!

[@FortyNineHudson]

@stevesparks2001 No one commenting here has the financial means to save the ship. Pointing out that the reporter repeatedly made a boneheaded error will not negatively impact any serious efforts to save the ship, and implying otherwise is absurd.

[@user-mj6ik2pk6w]

OK " Don't give up the ship " What dipshit calls an Ocean Liner a boat ?@@stevesparks2001

[@Paiadakine]

Not all boats hang off the side of ships, some boats call ships targets.

[@laurabogue3503]

Please someone save this once glorious example of US shipbuilding. She's the last of her kind and deserves the restoration and glory of her age. If Queen Mary can be kept in honor, why can't the pride of US shipbuilding?

[@lm7bird680]

That's the thing that irks me. The SS united States could have a future like the Queen Mary. The Queen Mary brings in 10s of millions in revenue to pay for restoration projects on the ship and is an icon in Long Beach despite it's pretty terrible location

[@simonrussell6884]

@@lm7bird680 ……..it does not make 10 of millions, not even close…….

[@lm7bird680]

@@simonrussell6884 it's a fact. The ship is immensely popular and is a significant contribution to the economy Queen Mary made a record of 55million in revenue and the LA county fiscal impact assessment estimates that queen Mary makes a contribution of over 200million a year to the local economy. These ships are popular and are economically viable and the data backs this up

[@harryvlogs7833]

Yeah queen mary made a revenueof 55 millionin 2023@simonrussell6884

[@harryvlogs7833]

Well the Queen mary is an extremely famous ship that shortened ww2 buy 2 years and still hold record for most people on a ship more than 16,000 people

[@hanyoukimura]

The SS United States is an ocean liner, not a cruise liner. Important distinction. It would be an absolute travesty if she or scrapped or reefed. She is the last ocean liner built by the United States, and the fastest, still holding the westbound Transatlantic speed record. She is also one of only a select few ocean liners still in existence. I really do hope they are able to the second life she deserves.

[@mairhart]

There is no cost-effective use for this ship, whatsoever. Do you support high taxes for museums? Do you donate hundreds of dollars per year to museums? And if not you then who?

[@IZAQ_]

I think at this point it's hard to do anything with the ship due to costs, sure you can keep it in a dock and maybe repaint her, but ultimately it will be very hard to do anything else with her, let alone make her make more money, and then again very few people want to spend so much money on this ship, so ultimately it will probably be reefed, which tbf isn't the worst option because she will still exist and be able to be visited (somewhat), compared to if she was scrapped

[@B1ll1709]

The problem, unlike with other preserved liners, is that it was stripped of most of the interior fittings years ago, so if there is a travesty, that was when it happened, and there is now no prospect of viable restoration.

[@spudwickthrockmorton2112]

@@mairhart at least turn it into a monument of some sort eh?

[@Mad1Mike]

The Smithsonian. We don't fly the Space Shuttle, but they are in a museum. We don't use Battleships, but they are preserved. @@mairhart

[@joelaichner3025]

Fastest Ocean Liner ever Built , twin engine rooms like a Battle ship

[@toodletack5727]

If we didn't save the RMS Olympic, we should at least save this.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Thinking the same. Saving RMS Olympic wouldh've been an absolute GOLDMINE today. Again obscene LACK OF VISION.

[@kyjuan89]

Olympic & Mauretania both should have been saved

[@TomasGraf-rr6co]

Or the Aquitania.

[@florjanbrudar692]

@@kyjuan89 You clearly haven't heard of or have forgotten about the great depression.

[@MaxTheHybridButYT]

@@florjanbrudar692 either way both would screw up Cunard if they didn't do so Which is pretty sad that you couldn't save both or just one

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

This record-shattering and beautiful ship deserves to be saved, whatever the cost. I feel sorry for those who just don't get it. It must be strange not having a soul.

[@wlento58]

The S.S. United States Is America's Ship. She needs to be saved ASAP

[@ronyantz7349]

Yes I agree ! But like our country she is decaying away!

[@gregj831]

The Progressive Communists should convert it into a shelter for future voters 'illegals'.

[@MrShobar]

Fine. Open your wallet then.

[@gregj831]

@@MrShobar The Progressive Communists need to turn the ship into a homeless shelter for illegal immigrants.

[@johnlee8523]

Goof, get rid of it all it's done is wasted money for decades on a pipe dream that everyone knew was never going to happen.

[@dmac5497]

A fitting example of what this country once was, and now a representation of what this country has become, a shadow of what once was...

[@tyler93539]

yeah we need to fix this country

[@Surprise_Inspection]

@@tyler93539 Thinking that way is now considered a hate crime.

[@johnyoung4747]

Do you realize what the corporate tax rates were when this ship was built and what they are now?

[@gregj831]

The Progressive Communists should convert it into a shelter for future voters 'illegals'.

[@dmac5497]

@johnyoung4747 If we can send billions of dollars to Ukraine surely we could have afforded to earmark some funds for the care and restoration of a US symbol of engineering and pride.

[@igystrvigy]

Boat? It’s a ship. Cruise Liner? It’s an ocean liner.

[@fishingmasterstudios9481]

Boat is just another name for ship smartalic xD

[@maskedmarvel]

It technically did become a cruise ship so they're not wrong

[@MarbIe_]

@@fishingmasterstudios9481 dude just shutup

[@E7DMG]

It was said by Gibbs that there was only two pieces of wood on board. The butchers block and the grand piano. The hull was the first commercial ship to be welded not riveted. Its top speed was a national secret.

[@landhopper4296]

And even the piano was fireproofed!

[@citizen23606]

I live in Newport News where this ship was built. The mariners museum in Newport News has a big exhibit of the items from the ship. I personally would love to see this vessel restored and docked somewhere in Hampton roads as a museum.

[@fredbiden868]

and it will loose money n close then sunk...

[@FortyNineHudson]

@@fredbiden868The world’s greatest museums (Louvre, Met, Getty) all lose money. That’s why they have benefactors.

[@edwardstrishock8541]

It's not a boat, it's called a ship

[@LilNerdYT159]

Dude a ship is a giant boat

[@tyler93539]

@@LilNerdYT159 a boat can fit on a SHIP a SHIP can't fit on a boat

[@LilNerdYT159]

@@tyler93539 I accidentally made a typo

[@glamorking74]

My family and I traveled from NYC to Naples, Italy in 1964 aboard this ship. I have vivid memories of that voyage.

[@scottprice4813]

So if they couldn’t get anyone interested during the longest and lowest period for interest rates this country has ever seen (2009-2021) . Then they surely won’t now that those rates have doubled .

[@bennybenny3749]

Dude! This story really needs to be on the news.

[@TaylorMMontgomery]

This is the news lol

[@tyler93539]

are you mentally slow?

[@MarkWick]

My family and I sailed into New Your harbor from Scotland on this ship in May of 1958. I have made four trans-Atlantic crossings on three different ocean liners. This is the only one still in existence. I haven't given up hope of seeing her again, but this doesn't look good.

[@markwieland7101]

Awhhhh, cool

[@fredbiden868]

dry up the tears and get over it..

[@tyler93539]

@@fredbiden868 no need to be rude

[@fredbiden868]

@@tyler93539 not rude just the truth

[@robinsonsstudios]

It's insanely disappointing to see that ships with so much history and character are left in such condition. The scrapping of France was a travesty and now this beautiful vessel is in danger as well...

[@paulricelli5520]

We should make a " Go Fund Me " program across the United States 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 To save this piece of history...NOW

[@fraudbuster5232]

😄😄

[@bend8353]

Let this junk go, Its completely stripped inside. No historic value left

[@Big-4]

It should open an OnlyShips account & let everyone take a peek at its boiler. That will pay the bills for sure!

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

Sadly a GoFund me, will not raise even enough money to keep up with the dock fees, let alone the $500 million to make it seaworthy again. That ship has sat too long and is too badly damaged to repair. Recycling or sinking is all thats left. Its been sitting since 1990's and nobody wants it. It is nothing more than a stripped out ship hull. Its gone.

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

I have no need to see this ship.

[@joshslater2426]

We need to save this ship. It has survived for 80 years, it would be a waste of effort if it was cut up now. Surely someone can buy it or at least fund for its conservation?

[@ElleCee62978]

I was on this ship once last May. She is beautiful both inside and out. I hope Susan and Company can find a new pier for her.

[@mairhart]

There is nothing at all inside.

[@ElleCee62978]

@@mairhart I know that. The interiors were removed because of asbestos.

[@HandyMan657]

What have they done to save that once beautiful ship? Once the fastest liner in the world. So sad

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

They've had plans and schemes for 30 years. And they've all gone no place.

[@tomtransport]

@@WALTERBROADDUS The SS United States Conservancy should make a plea to the US Navy to tie it up with the Mothball fleet there in Philadelphia's Navy Yard. One more ship tied up there would hardly make any difference. It was, after all, originally to be a troop carrier B4 an ocean liner.

[@fraudbuster5232]

Nothing.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@tomtransport that's a functionally okay idea. But they would probably say it's not Navy property.... nor does the Conservancy even have the money to tow it anywhere. Let alone pay the docking fee....

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@tomtransport Iirc SS United States was in the Norfolk mothball fleet for a while.

[@himat]

Kinda symbolic of a lot of things at the moment. Real pity

[@yvonneplant9434]

BS. Microchip manufacturing is coming back to the country. That's just one example.

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

@@yvonneplant9434 Heavy Government Grants Means the Private Sector Failed

[@DucknCoverin]

“GrEatEsT eComoNy eVeRRrrrr!” -Some resident

[@JayStephens8]

I hope this ship doesn’t get scrapped I really hope someone can purchase the ship and restore it and turn it into a floating hotel, restaurant and museum

[@johnsnow145]

What a Disgrace. That ship is a real piece of American history and it would be a serious loss

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Not really.

[@yvonneplant9434]

It's not clear it can even be moved. Sunk into the riverbed.

[@yvonneplant9434]

​@@WALTERBROADDUSLet me guess... a MAGA who is clueless about this ship.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@yvonneplant9434 Actually, a non MAGA Nikki Haley voter. As for the hulk? Seen it for a lifetime. Its historical value is very little. Its commercial value even less.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@yvonneplant9434 actually, it is more the river has silted around it. Rather than it falling.

[@Big_Spicy]

We need to save this historical beautiful ship there aren't many of these ships no more

[@zetaopress2389]

Only the rms queen marry remains if this ship goes. Cause SS United States and rms queen mary are the only 2 ocean liners around the go back to the 1950s and stuck to the luxury and beautiful exterior and interior look. No other ships will ever match the beauty in this type of engineering ever again.

[@MiniMC546]

@@zetaopress2389 yeah. The only British built (except QM2 as she was built in Italy) and owned are the surviving ocean liners that exists.

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

There’s a reason they don’t exist anymore. There’s no use for them.

[@zetaopress2389]

@@user-vx7vi3vq1c Well obviously. But that still doesn't take the fact away that this a beautiful piece of history.

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

@@zetaopress2389 There are several other preserved ocean liners around the world, but the SS United States is the third biggest behind the two Queen Marys.

[@prognosticman]

Sad to see people saying it should be scrapped. As she is one of the last ocean liners left from a bygone era. I hope they will be able to save the ship but things don't look to good for the S.S United States.

[@rongreen8962]

My wife came to this country on this ship.

[@MarieGrafmiller]

I hope you can save this landmark! Its possibilties could be endless with the right backing. Fingers Crossed!🤞🤞🤞

[@mairhart]

No, there is no commercially viable use for this ship.

[@Doncarpenterradio]

This ship is an important part of American history. We had an administration that actually cared about that kind of thing at one time. We lost our chance to save her.

[@BrianMacDroid]

Even the SS United States knows that the rent is too damn high.

[@gregj831]

The Progressive Communists should convert it into a shelter for future voters 'illegals'.

[@Guitfiddlejase]

Whomever this reporter is..he did not do his job correctly. This SHIP deserves a better report.

[@smokeyjoe4078]

I don't get why there is absolutely NOBODY in the entire US who has enough money and care to save this Iconic Ship! This is US History!!

[@raphaelsmithwick4363]

Nobody cares about US history because you idiots never shutup about it

[@raphaelsmithwick4363]

Nobody cares about US history because Americans never shutup about it

[@mairhart]

You voted for low taxes so there will be no government rescue. And no billionaire will throw $1 billion away on a hollow obsolete ship with no remaining interiors to restore.

[@haywoodjay385]

Its a gutted rusted POS that should have been scrapped 2 decades ago.

[@LindMarcus]

Alas, pupils are not studying history in most of the schools any more. It is replaced with something called "social studies". This is a root of the problem of the lack of patriotism and respect to American History in the modern generation.

[@barryvincentredmond3973]

A few years ago there was a complete overhaul plan in place to relaunch the ship as a cruise liner.Shame that venture fell through.It would have been a stunning reincarnation.

[@jessekauffman3336]

Where are these generous corporations now?

[@davidty2006]

could put an entire shopping center inside if you wanted to...

[@gigif8566]

I remember an interview with the designer's granddaughter on WHYY FM years ago about the history of this ship. The SS United States was the largest ocean liner built in the US & still holds the record for the fastest crossing by an ocean liner for both directions. Philadelphia politicians are always talking about revitalizing the waterfront, so why couldn't this ship be the centerpiece of that plan. I could see this being a floating museum, hotel, restaurant & event space. It could be done with a private/public partnership. I fear that time is running out for her & that will be more history discarded.

[@Letyourcolorsblendwithmine]

Because Phili is a shithole.

[@mairhart]

Only a fool would take a billion dollars from Philadelphia, or its businesses, and throw it all away on a ship that will never pay for itself.

[@CaptRR]

it would be at least 200 million just to give it a cosmetic facelift, and fit out a few places. You could do an awful lot of waterfront stuff for 200 million. Besides you already have the Olympia, Moshulu, and Becuna, so I am not sure a bigger even worse condition ship would move the needle much when it comes to waterfront development. Especially when you consider the costs involved in dredging, refit, ect. As much as I would love to see this ship on the oceans once again, or even a museum ship, I just don't see it happening. Its time to be saved was 30 years ago, and things have just gotten worse since then.

[@frankrizzo7454]

Doesn't matter where it rusts away. They are letting it rust away.

[@MrDavfit]

can't rust its aluminum alloy.

[@s0nnyburnett]

@@MrDavfit Only the superstructure.

[@chrisrock3108]

@@MrDavfitstill corrodes

[@Bigrignohio]

@@MrDavfit0:59 says otherwise.

[@DucknCoverin]

What would you have this non profit do at a cost of $25-30k a month for docking fees? It’s not being neglected by choice. The fact is, without a permanent location there’s not much in the way of big donors and investors. It’s not in ship yard. It won’t go to one until there’s a permanent home lined up. There’s little that can be done in this circumstance except buy time.

[@moosecat]

The modern supercarriers can trace their lineage back to "the Big U". Almost 250,000 shaft horsepower over 4 shafts, could do over 40 mph, and could go 10,000 knots at 35 knots without needing to refuel...pretty amazing numbers.

[@johnheffner3950]

The USS Forrestal CVA 59 and the United States were built at the same place It was said the United States shared the same military propulsion system as the aircraft carrier Forrestal ps I served on the Forrestal what a great vessel!!

[@floro7687]

4 steam turbines ea of 53000 hp, and full of asbestos, a horrible gas guzzler needing heavy government subsidy. Obsolete at launch. Now been abandoned for 55 years, no profits can possibly be wrung out of her, the steel and alu can maybe pay for the tow to Bangla Desh.

[@moosecat]

@@floro7687 I know that they took a lot of asbestos out of her when she was over in Turkey several decades ago; as to how much is left in the engineering spaces, I couldn't tell you. The timing for "the Big U" was absolutely horrible due to the dawn of the jet age.

[@floro7687]

@@moosecat IT was too expensive anyway, ok for a symbol a limited period, with heavy govt subsidies. Now there might still be asbestos on the steam mains, but the propulsion is irrelevant for a good nummer of respons. Originally 53000 x 3 hp would have been plenty to reach the max speed of the hull

[@yonbear1]

A boat is something that you "row". This is a SHIP!!

[@gospelaccordingtojohn8959]

The ship’s condition is almost as bad as Philadelphia itself.

[@rickkearn7100]

Terrible to say but, it will probably end up being scrapped. Would that it weren't.

[@wernerpanchenko6542]

Well made us steel not trash metal we are getting now

[@merik2001]

From what I've heard, scrapping it isn't even worth it at this point. It would cost more than the metal would be worth.

[@OriginalCoalRollers]

William Francis Gibbs the greatest navel architect to ever live, SS United States the fastest liner to ever sail next to the queen mary her self, the navy kept it under wraps for a while but she had already hit 40 knots that’s over 40mph, doesn’t seem fast but it is on the water, people don’t realize there’s only a hand full of liners left on the planet, this liner is a piece of history and I was blessed to walk up her gang way right were she sits in Philly, I will do it again, she needs the love she deserves, she has a soul just like rms queen Mary and SS I’ll de France the 3 queens of the sea

[@mikeh2006]

The ship is structurally in good shape, even though it doesnt look it. If the money is to be spent refitting it, may as well go all the way. Either that, or scrap it. No point in letting it rot.

[@MUEagle2002]

This is an incredible opportunity. The removal of the asbestos resulted in removing one of the most expensive issues facing the SS United States. Let's turn this into a museum/hotel, etc... just like what the Queen Mary is in Long Beach. But let's preserve this history on the East Coast!

[@floro7687]

Gadani Beach next?

[@__hjg__2123]

it was beautiful and a fascinating story -of another time - hard to imagine it will ever be restored - anything of value was sold off long ago..

[@papajohncena2516]

The distinction between a “cruise ship” and an ocean liner is crucial to understanding the human condition at the time a ship like this was in operation. I’m tired of people mixing the two up. A cruise ship is for leisure, and ocean liner is for travel. They are constructed completely differently, with ocean liners being more rigid and far more seaworthy. It’s reasons like this that ships like the United States need to be preserved. To teach people about history.

[@drmarkcthompson6504]

It’s not a boat, it’s a ship. It wasn’t a cruise ship, it was an ocean liner

[@jerrycallender9352]

It is a travesty the United States has NO Ship of State!

[@douglasschultz9808]

Comcast’s should be helping restoring this ship. It’s the least they can do for the city after driving the Flyers into the ground.

[@__TClol__]

The fact the rent doubled instantly during the pandemic is a crime in itself.

[@kyle5378]

When rich people have to much money…..

[@olivierbolton8683]

With all the billions floating around...i sincerely wish for the conservancy to find a donor who loves the sea and maritime history. She is still a beautiful ship.

[@leecrowder4934]

The government should step in and save this ship. Restore it and turn it into a museum….

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

The current administrations top three priorities. 3. Giving billions of our money to other countries. 2. Giving hundreds of millions in aid to illegal aliens. You can probably guess what is number one on their list.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Please address her as a ship not a boat.

[@maskedmarvel]

Oh pipe down you people are unbearable

[@williamschlenger1518]

Like one person said, it's a metaphor for the country.😔

[@mairhart]

Not at all. It’s obsolete, and a forward-looking nation moves on. You voted for low taxes, so there will be no government rescue. And no billionaire will throw $1 billion away on this ship which was an economic failure from the start.

[@eyestoenvy]

I can see this ship in a mixed use hotel & museum setting on the water near the SS Intrepid in NYC. Or perhaps at its old US Lines peer. Similar to the Queen Mary in Long Beach but with the tourist volume and room demand of NYC.

[@ms8596]

That's already been explored multiple times and fallen through - economically unviable.

[@TheTransatlanticExchange]

The SS United States was the Mission to Mars of her day. She is the fastest ocean liner ever built. She was constructed in the US by American workers and built using materials from all 48 states in 1952. She is bigger than the Titanic, captured the speed record and could travel up to 38 knots. No other ship today can even reach this speed. Please write your Congressional representative and tell them why they must save this ship. The SS United States has a special place in American history and can be updated for use as floating hotel, convention centre and museum. This has been done already for the RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, and the SS Rotterdam. To lose the SS United States would be a crime against history, as the late Walter Kronkite said. Tell everyone you know about this great ship and help save this iconic wonder ship.

[@harrylime8077]

That vessel is a metaphor for the condition of its namesake, not much longer to live and both headed for the scrapyard.

[@wjgthatsit2357]

This would have been a great addition to the Willy’s chocolate experience

[@brianperry9108]

They should’ve moved the ship the same day the price/fees went up.

[@brianperry9108]

It's also most likely the reason why they felt justified in raising the rate. Crooks in my opinion. I def would've taken this into account before paying the outrageous fee. They could've built their own pier at those cost.@@waitwhat1320

[@B36HPeacemaker]

Sad. Times are changing and there is probably only a handful of people who even know what an ocean liner is/was.

[@gingerriviera3654]

The history of Ocean Liners are so so interesting and deserves so much more respect. It pulls on my heart strings, really hope this can be saved. The way liners are built and the purpose the engineering serves is a reflection of the time in which it was built. So so cool. I hope it wont be sunk.

[@robbiedelrey3924]

If it hasn’t happened for the ship yet it probably never will. Very interested developer has always dropped interest in the ship. Scrapping or reefing is looking more and more likely every year.

[@simonrussell6884]

The passion is admirable but this ship died a long time ago.

[@dw.7655]

Many good comments regarding the pros and cons of saving this ship. Yes, it’s hard to raise the kind of funds to preserve her. There are so many people that don’t what our care about our country’s history. I recently watched people being interviewed, and were asked what the Civil War was all about and didn’t know the answer!!! So, good reporting about this ship, revealing the true history of the designer and its characteristics of advanced shipbuilding at its time need to be exposed to the public. It would be great to get volunteers to at least help scrap and paint the hull. I know that is like asking for a miracle. Let’s hope for the best,

[@xr4ti548]

I've been following the status of this ship for almost 20 years. So many plans have come and gone to save it, but nothing ever materializes. A fortune has been spent already just having it sit there and rust. Each passing year it gets in worse condition, and costs climb. It is beyond any type of rehabilitation financially, it's time to let her go.

[@LawyerCalhoun1]

If there is not enough money to pay the docking fee, there will never be the money for renovation. It hasn't moved in 28 years. Time to go to the bottom of the sea.

[@tweezerjam]

But that also costs a ton of money

[@ronaldschild157]

I remember seeing this ship at its dock nearly everyday when I was stationed in Portsmouth, VA in the late 1980's. It was tied up near the US Coast Guard Support Center on the other side of Craney Island fuel depot. It was in better shape then, but not by much; I remember being able to make out the paint scheme on the stacks. Some people around me at the time said it was once a great, mighty ship but there it sat for years with not much going on with it. A few years later, I recall seeing the news that it was moved from Portsmouth/Norfolk to nearby Newport News, VA and then later, a foreign firm purchased her. It's a sad tale all around. These people that comprise the Conservancy are trying their best, and I feel for them, but it looks likely the ship will be sunk for an artificial reef.

[@DucknCoverin]

Yeah. A lot of folks don’t understand what it takes when there’s no permanent home for something like this. It was costing $25k a month just to store it before the docking fees went up. It’s not being neglected by choice. It will be a stratospheric expense to bring this hulk back to anything suitable for visitors. They’re not going to have mega donors and investors needed to proceed with anything like that until it has a place it can be permanently moored. That’s where all the money has been going, buying time. They can only do so much in this situation.

[@njaneardude]

Small world, my mom was the barber for a time at the Coast Guard base in the late 80's - 90's.

[@AreaCode757]

As a kid growing up in Churchland in the 80’s and having grown up in Cavalier Forest/Castle Heights……I would often ride my bike over the West Norfolk bridge to visit a friend in Port Norfolk……Like you I remember seeing her throughout…..kinda became a beacon of “going home”. Now as an adult retired from my first career and on to my second driving commercially…..I often visit Penn Warehouse off Columbus Ave in Philly for work….to pickup 5-10K rolls of paper bound back to Virginia…..each time THERE she is…. I often take a moment to hop out of my truck to take pictures of her and even touch her…….or admire the size….she really IS a beautiful ship….needs TLC…..but you can see the integrity is there. Hate that our nations namesake …THE ocean liner….could be scrapped ….. Fingers Crossed

[@boclark8059]

Back story this ship still holds the fastest record crossing the Atlantic, and at the time, the largest engine, it was built as a top secret vessel.

[@DM-iw2qt]

Philadephia pa save the ship. It belongs in philadephia. If done right this would make a great musueem tourist site

[@stephenlight647]

It’s a personal vanity project for at least a few folks. Nothing wrong with that, but that ship would take several fortunes to save. I hope they find a miracle, as it is an interesting ship, but restoring that beast into anything will be hundreds of millions at the least.

[@InabaPrism]

After seeing all the recent loving and careful restorations made to Queen Mary, realizing the current state of this once beautiful vessel is just depressing.

[@ripjanetstrimel3312]

1700$ a day is pretty crazy …I’ve been seeing this ship for many years in south Philly

[@ms8596]

Yes, it's been there since 1996,

[@PumpkinHogger]

You can't save everything. Is it notable, yes; is it practical to restore in that condition, no.

[@randomrazr]

their hoping for a hotel , not a full on restoration to cruise ship worthyness

[@waynemerlo7448]

They’re not looking at it from a practical view only a sentimental one.

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

Her hull and structure are still in really good condition.

[@SupramanTRD]

Can't save everything? They aren't saving anything these days

[@subzerofromny735]

We already lost the SS America/American Star. You want this one scrapped or sunk too?

[@Rhaman68]

If nothing has been done in the last 15 years, what’s the point of this ship being in storage? Let’s say it takes 50 million to get the ship in safe status for visitors. The revenue from a few hundred a week during 8 months of the year will not cover the dock fees let alone maintenance and insurance. Scrap the ship.

[@DucknCoverin]

It’s been sitting there because they’ve been trying to find a permanent place to keep it. That’s been the top priority of the conservancy. Basically every bit of their resources have been spent on keeping it docked where it is, as they’ve searched for a permanent location. It was costing roughly $25,000+ in docking fees every month, and that’s before it went up. And $50 million wouldn’t even cover dry docking to do paint and hull repairs on this ship. You’re looking at a billion dollar project here. You can’t do any of that though and get those types of donors on board until the ship has a permanent home that isn’t costing this non profit $25-30k a month.

[@globaleye8]

The condition of this fine ship is almost shorthand for the USA today....

[@Topnikko]

I remember seeing it tied up near the Norfolk naval base when I was stationed there in the early 90s. That ship has been in a state of uncertainty for decades.

[@ms8596]

Exactly. While the Quean Mary was not gutted and was put in place since 1967, once the United States was retired in 1969, it sat at Newport News and was stripped. There have been multiple plans through the decades, all falling through. I've contributed a number of times over the last 12 years after finding out about this conservancy, but after the last proposal fell through, this has just turned into delaying the inevitable. It's going to take a incredible amount of money to make her into anything at this point. Even towing her out and sinking her for a reef will be expensive.

[@jeffreywoods4040]

I love saving historical artifacts, but feel like the battle was lost here as soon as one of the previous owners gutted the interior decades ago.

[@DucknCoverin]

It’s a catch 22 since a lot of the interior had asbestos due to the Navy requiring the ship be extremely fire resistant. It would have needed to have been gutted either way. That said, the furniture and other fixtures could have been saved.

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

@@DucknCoverinI do believe a good portion of her furniture was donated to private collections

[@LindMarcus]

@@DucknCoverin All the asbestor in the ship was carefully removed in Sevastopol, Ukraine (now occupied by Russia), when she visited Ukraine for a temporary repairs in 1990s.

[@ScuddyGuitarsThings]

I sure hope when they scrap it they sell bits of the steel, I’d love some of that hull on my mantelpiece!

[@orangecayman520]

I really hope it doesn't come to that, but I agree. Especially if they didn't remove the paint. There's a company doing that with retired airplanes that seems to be doing pretty well.

[@alannewman85]

@@orangecayman520that’s interesting- which company is that? I’d love a few souvenirs!

[@TitanicTruths]

I know a great way to not only restore the ship and raise the money to pay the bills at the same time

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

Gee Media Man !!! - It ain't a "Boat" its a ship !!! - Can't you tell???

[@hifi6638]

There’s nothing to save. It’s an empty hulk. Nothing inside. All fittings of any kind were stripped and sold off decades ago. No interior walls of cabins left. Everything is gone. It could never be a cruise liner again. Even if billions were spent to rebuild and refurb there is no market for it. People on cruises want far more space and comfort. This ship can never be anything again. It will be either be let go and sold for scrap, or it will be taken in default and scrapped. That’s the only truth.

[@brucepetty6059]

Throw it out the deep water

[@timmarino1]

Picked up rolls of paper at Penn Warehouses in 06 or so and it was beautiful back then

[@markjohnson4053]

There are so many billionaires in the U.S. One should come forward to preserve this piece of history.

[@timshelby2324]

Just scrap it ! Use the money to pay off debt . What's with the dramatic music ? is this a news story or a film ? Ship not a boat !

[@ninob.]

The ship is owned by the conservancy. You can't pay of state dept with it and the value of the metal is much less than it's value to history. The cruise ships scrapped during covid even had more metal as those are larger than her! The US is a country were millions of Europeans settled in the 20th century. Scrapping her is destroying this heritage that the US built on. It is a symbol of it's might after the second world war and for the rise to the most powerful country on earth. You also don't see how intact she is. She was last painted in the late 60s and you can still see it very good. There was mo mantainance on her really since then and yet you don't see collapsed decks or rusted through walls. She is very much intact and only appears so from the outside. Grind the small layer of rust off and you will see shining metal in perfect condition as it was used 75 years ago. RXR Realty is working with the conservancy and their plan was just published a few months ago. The lawsuit is just a stone in the way

[@seanwebb605]

@@ninob. It would cost a very large fortune to restore the ship and operate it in any fashion. And it would never be profitable to operate it as a ship again. What exactly is the point?

[@ninob.]

the Queen Mary is making a profit. You invest and then you get money. She should never be operated again as a ship. That is unprofitable. But as a attraction to visit (museum, hotel, restaurants, etc.) she could well work. Again her condition looks much worse than it is. Preserving her for future generations is important. It is not about now but about the future. You will never be able to bring her back when she is gone and also scrapping would only get like a million. She cost 80 million to build so it would not even get you much money. Sinking is very expensive as it was already discussed for the Queen Mary which luckily did not happen. The cost for rebuilding what was removed is a immediate expense but with time it will be worth it!@@seanwebb605

[@handymatt1970]

The Love Boat was scrapped a decade ago and 100% more famous now scrap this rusty hulk already or sent it out to sea for aquatic life and scuba.

[@MrLee-ue7iu]

Just scrap it. Its just an old boat rusting away. Stop spending money on it.

[@129jaystreet]

The problem isn't spending money on her. The problem is nobody wants to spend money on her.

[@KingdaToro]

Literally built like a warship. The engines and propellers are almost identical to those of the USS New Jersey right across the river.

[@awunderlich90]

With no disrespect to the ship, at what point do you come to realization that your office cannot afford to restore the ship nor have the donors to make it so. this ship seems like has been in this exact state for years.

[@imsleepingbeauty]

😢💔 It's so sad to see these historic ships getting scrapped