The Sinking of the S.S. United States

[@gregorycody9054]

This ship has such a great history of innovation for this country. We can put money into a foreign ship in California but can't save one named for this great county and built with many missions in mind. I attended a fundraiser at SUNY Maritime where a woman spoke who was 17 on SS United States maiden voyage. She spoke of how the Captain came over the announcing system to remind everyone that when tickets were purchased all knew we weren't going for the trophy on the crossing to keep it a safe trip. She said he then announced, " but we are going for it". She said you felt the ship lift up out of the water as she passed the Statue of Liberty and you could feel the speed, she also said everyone danced and had a great time till the arrival breaking the record. She said she didn't think anyone slept at all. Very nice woman with a great story! I am a US Navy Veteran and understand how we can connect with a ship, the SS United States has great lines, and one of a kind. I did e mail the Conservancy about maybe while preparing the ship for scuttle some small pieces metal are saved and put together Plankowner style plaque for purchase for all those who appreciate and will miss The SS United States!

[@nascarmanHistory]

A true loss to see something once so beautiful decay into oblivion. The Queen Mary was truly fortunate to avoid such a fate

[@subzerofromny735]

Fuck the queen mary. It’s bullshit that this country can preserve a British ship but is willing to scrap and throw away one of our own like nothing

[@phoenixzilla07]

Yes😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@mistymvp917]

Yeah it's pretty sad when we'll save a British ship like the Queen Mary over our own United States flagship.

[@phoenixzilla07]

@@mistymvp917 True😢

[@jackmorris1068]

​@@mistymvp917complete different situations

[@CountyLineFilms]

As a lifelong Philadelphian, this ship has been a defacto part of the city for my entire life. Going over the Walt Witman Bridge which is just south of the pier the ship is kept at, I've been able to see it in the sunshine and it's ghostly silhouette over the years. It's a sad fate for such a storied vessel, but really it's for the better

[@maxshenkwrites]

I still don't understand why, if the purchaser has the financial resources to remove environmental hazards, strip the ship, sink it, and build a museum onshore, they can't just dock the ship and make IT the museum: restore a few selected sections of it and open those sections to the public while keeping the rest of the ship closed.

[@javacup912]

Not only is the ship sinking, but the entire US is sinking.

[@tedkoester814]

Thought the same. May it not be analogous

[@henryostman5740]

The US has only one ocean going cruise ship of any size. American laws require flag ships to be built in American shipyards. The firm building her went bankrupt midway thru the job and a law had to be passed allowing her hull to be towed to Italy to be finished out. No US yard is set up to finish out building cruise ships. She serves the Hawaiian trade running an island to island cruise year-round run by the American branch of a foreign cruise line, as required by law her crew is all American, unionized, and well paid. The fares for this trip reflect this thus limiting the potential market. Note that all Alaska cruises start in either the US or Canada and end in the other country, thus they are international trips and thus less regulated by the US and using foreign flag vessels. I used to teach in a US maritime academy and a lot of my students thought they'd get a job on the 'Love Boat', the ship that ran cruises down to Mexico, no luck, that ship had a UK flag.

[@gregtennessee8249]

Yes ..trump is a Nazi maga career criminal

[@talcoge67]

I came over on that beautiful ship with my family from England in 1968. Of all places they are sinking her only 35 minutes from my house. It’s going to be hard to see her being pulled hear.

[@htautomat]

It seems like it would be so easy for one of the many billionaires in America to step up and save this once-beautiful ship. With seaboard passenger travel virtually a thing of the past - and zero chance of any more of these gracious ocean liners ever being built - the USS United States represents a singular opportunity to preserve a significant piece of our history. While a restoration of this magnitude would be an incredibly complex and costly undertaking, if she was shuttled down to the Gulf of Mexico and sunk, that opportunity would be lost. How would our children and grandchildren view our decision when looking back ? Architectural historians lament the demolition of New York's Penn Station as one of the greatest cultural losses of our time. The grand railroad terminal represented the golden age of train travel, another mode of transport that has (for passenger service) practically vanished. Many factors contributed to Penn Station's demise at the time... ongoing upkeep costs, more efficient use of resources, society's rush to change in the name of progress... yet the act of bringing that historic building down triggered a nationwide architectural preservation movement. I wish this seafaring monument could be preserved, but it is looking more and more like her final voyage will be to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico to become an artificial reef and diving attraction - a sad ending that I feel will looked upon as an embarrassment by future generations. We had our chance.

[@aegonthedragon7303]

Billionaires don’t care about anything but lining their own pockets

[@Arklay_Ishimura]

What a fucking disgrace to let this happen.

[@superdingo9741]

And how much have you personally donated to the fund for preserving the ship over all those years they've been asking for help?

[@sierrajuliette7700]

@@superdingo9741Je suis Français et j’ai moi-même donné. Des petites sommes pour le geste. Ça me brise le cœur de voir le dernier Ruban Bleu finir ainsi… 😢

[@Bugsbunnyskooling101]

We also still have the nomadic despite its fate but was saved thankfully.

[@joehoulihan5305]

You’re into Ocean liners as well!!! I love your Nascar videos, we love ocean liners too! We went down to the Queen Mary right after she re-opened and just finished the 9900 plus piece Lego Titanic! So cool! Thank you!

[@vicbuisset5586]

I remember first seeing the SS United States at Newport News Shipbuilding, where my uncle worked and took us on a tour of the shipyard. From there, she sat near the Newport News Coal Pier while I served in the Navy across the James River. I attended a meeting in Philly years later and was surprised to see her at the pier there, almost like she know I was coming to town. So I'm happy and sad for her now. Happy that she will be used for recreation and not turned into scrap but sad that she was never able to be salvaged as a museum or something where she could still be enjoyed. God Speed, SS United States!

[@chameleionkid]

Heartbreaking! Just awful. Hoping all my life to see something save her.

[@bportwig5203]

thank you for your candid views and honest reporting of the sorry saga of the big u

[@austinmatthews347]

i am not american i am british however i am truly shocked that the us can save a british liner (queen mary) but it cant save its state liner truly shocking even worse i was in us in sept for 2 weeks yet i forgot to visit the great liner i am truly saddened

[@Unownshipper]

This was a sad surprise. I hadn’t heard of this turn of events. I’d assumed this would be a video to raise awareness of the ocean liner’s plight in hopes of saving her… not an obituary. It’s like learning an aging but beloved actor has passed: wretched, a gut-punch, but not altogether unexpected. I knew of the protracted legal battle over her berth, I knew of the degrading state she was in, and I knew of the ongoing apathy of the American public regarding investing in something old. Still… I held out hope. If Michigan Central Station or Battersea Power Station could be given the adaptive reuse treatment, then why not the SS United States? While listening to your narration, I was thoroughly impressed by your erudite summary of the great liners and what made them all special. The SS United States was never an art palace like her predecessors (or even some of her contemporaries), but she was a technological marvel and something for our nation to take pride in. All she needed was somebody who cared. Scratch that, because I do want to honor the Conservancy and the hundreds who advocated for her well past her prime; what she needed was a hero, but as you so accurately summarized there are none to be found. In the end, if she can’t be given new life, then I’m glad this is how she’s going out: a burial at sea. It reminds me of her sister ship the America stubbornly breaking loose on her way to the scrapyards and slowly breaking up off Fuertaventura. Better to become part of the Earth once again and become a home to marine life than to be broken up and made into razor blades. May she rest in peace.

[@gregmerritt4278]

Great video of these incredible ships of state. I will miss the Big U. After all these years and no one could save her. A damm shame

[@some-guy1952]

We are.lucky to have Queen mary and her much younger sister, Queen mary 2

[@jdslyman1720]

I wouldn't consider them sisters, heck, I wouldn't even consider Queen Mary and Elizabeth sisters. They would be cousins, or in the case of the QM2, distant cousins. Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic would be sisters though- all 3 had 4 funnels, 3 screws, the same hybrid triple expansion/turbine engine design, and even similar layouts in the beginning. Olympic was updated later on, but that was to try to get an Edwardian liner to fit in with the new designs of Art Deco. She didn't do so hot (picture the Grand Staircase painted green)🤢vs. say the Normandie.

[@barryvincentredmond3973]

What a shame this is the outcome the Conservancy agreed too.Let some McDive loving council in Florida take this iconic vessel away and have an undignified sinking.Sad.

[@billdurham8477]

The catamaran was a purpose built racer. Blue Riband was about carrying troops as many as fast as possible. So yes a boat crossed the Pond faster, SS US is still the champ.

[@Myuutantobasuta]

worlds longest sinking...

[@dpphonolulu123]

People who do not know the Maritime Industry just don't get it. The vessel was beautiful and iconic to look at.....but what about the engine room? It is an old steam ship. Boilers running on black oil do not pass emissions anymore. What about the lead base paint inside and outside of the ship? What about the asbestos that it is in the engine room on all of the hot steam, pipes. The thing is a freakin environmental nightmare. And if you have the billions to restore it, it doesn't have a water slide or go kart trail. Narrow corridors with no elevators. Who would want to sail on it? And the old ship doesn't have stabilizers so it will feel every wave it hits on the Atlantic crossing. Passengers nowadays don't want that. Cunard did it right. Made a new Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth with modern amenities but honored it's past. It's not an old Ferrari where it can be restored and everybody loves it. Ships do not age well. You use them and then scrap them. Move onto new technology to be attractive to the modern customer. And be safe. A 75+ year old hull? That gives me confidence. Cut the bow and stern off it and apply it to the new hull.

[@patchmack4469]

it is both tragic and disgustine that a ship that is mostly in one piece should be treated like this, she deserves so much more respect then the neglect she currently receives, she is survivor when we lost the Titanic, her interest even today in the ship, its design, its visual wealth and opulance has the public attraction to want to pay to see it, touchit and be part of its history, and i understand why the Olympic was scrapped back then through superstition etc - but today we frown on this mad decision even though some of the internal wood panelling still survives in different places under private hands - we all wish we could see her, touch her and experience such splendor the Chinese have near built a replica to become a themed attraction and hotel, and many others fantasize at having their own Titanic replica albeit with some modern features to lose the SS United States will be frowned on in the future, just up the river are a handfull of births, disused, overgrown, possibly no owner, and maybe not quite big enough, but could easily birth a couple more historic vessels, whether they be floating or landlocked, the site could easliy become a themed park for such vessels, become hotels as is the Queen Mary I in Long Beach she will be a loss to the City of Philly and to one of Americas finest ship designers William Gibbs who did so much towards the war effort with his Liberty ships, Fletcher Class Frigates he should be celebrated and so should the SS United States for surviving so long - shame on the US and its people, you should all be screaming at the authorities to step in and save her

[@jackuzi8252]

It's a little frustrating to me that my daughter spent so much time learning about the Titanic in 4th grade. Of course it was a tragedy, but shipwrecks weren't uncommon in earlier eras. The Titanic gets play because it had a lot of rich people on board, and was so big and fast for its day. Here we have the biggest and fastest passenger liner ever, and can't even make a museum out of it.

[@jeromelombardo6053]

Sad just beyond sad all the wealthy people in the world and in Philadelphia not one person could try and save her. You will be missed I see her every day from my apt window.

[@traderalex1]

Her interior was completely gutted for an asbestos remediation. It would have taken several hundred million dollars to restore her just to a static (non-sailing) condition. No investment group saw any return for the amount of money, needed. It is not like the Conservancy did not have their chances-almost three decades in Philadelphia with no results, but several $ millions in total, just to keep her moored and rusting in the Delaware River.

[@henryostman5740]

I hear the tears of all those who want to 'save' these ships but ships are a hole in the water into which you pour money. Ships like cars, airplanes, and trains all wear out, they were run hard and the sea takes its toll, even as a stationary museum they constantly consume money. The United States being no exception. Her beautiful interior was ripped out during an earlier ill considered attempt at reconstruction. Her four steam turbines consumed way too much fuel for any private operator, several times the daily consumption of even the largest of today's cruise ships that are almost four times her size. And she is not a cruise ship, she was built as a liner on the North Atlantic run, built for high seas and cold waters, she didn't even have an air conditioning system, absolutely necessary in any tropical cruise ship. She drew way too much water thus excluding her from many potential cruise ports, she required a large crew due to those engines and boilers (she has four engine rooms and four boiler rooms all of which need to be manned unlike most cruise ships that have only one engine room since they are diesel). With her flag she needs the crew to be all American with the resulting high wages and many regulations. She lacks thrusters thus needing tug assist in harbors that often isn't available. So if you wanted her saved, why didn't you send money to the foundations that wanted to support her, I believe the pier rent alone ran to $60,000 monthly that is in arrears, overhauling her, that has to be done in an American yard, would probably cost well over $$$billions and at the end you'd have a very expensive museum piece that would need more money each year to keep running, with no donors willing, this didn't happen.

[@StuartRedman1]

Is the Titanic considered a start and park?

[@mistymvp917]

The United States doesn't care about preserving their history. Many cities, especially the West Coast, tear down historical buildings and replace them with big ugly skyscrapers. And look at Las Vegas. I don't think there are any original resorts left. Seems they only have a lifespand of 40 years or so. I am really disappointed that of all the wealthy people we gave in this country, that something couldn't have been done to save this true icon. When friends gifted us with the Statue of Liberty it did not come with a pedals

[@gregtennessee8249]

The USA worries about their Confederacy monuments...

[@Mr.Bigfoot-e2q]

Wellep that fucking blows another piece of history going to the trash.Just great.We had a chance to save it. Hell, I would have given a million dollars if I had it. To save this piece of history. I would have loved to tour the s.s. united states when it was remodeled to its former glory. But now it is another great ocean liner on the bottom of the ocean rusting away. The city of Philadelphia should have tried to save it better than what they did. O well, I guess 😢😢

[@pm1104]

What an absolute mess to sink this ship ! 😢

[@joseFranciscoMedina-vq4ii]

no entiendo no pueden undirlo, no se como no lo conservan, saquenlo del agua, es una pena, undirlo, para que unos poos lo visiten, no entiendo como no salvar ese buque, es el untimo de su clase con ese diseño de esos transatlanticos de antaño, es mi opnoon personal algunos estran de acuerdo por muchos motivos, pero param es una pena undirlo.

[@Donengineer]

Its a dam shame that this icon of American achievement will be sunk. Should become a hotel and casino- again- our history is destroyed once again!

[@CosmicSeeker69]

it wouldn't even sniff modern safety standards - hence why it's being sunk

[@rattyguitars]

The city of freedom gave no freedom for this ship except for a dramatic drowning of history. Too bad.

[@Walkercolt1]

The SS USS needs (must have) a new double bottom on her hull. Her propellers (bronze) were removed last Century for the US Navy (probably big boomer subs) and to scrap and paint her hull with rust-preservative paint would cost an estimated $300 MILLION MINIMUM. Since no US shipyard can dry-dock her and double-bottom her, she'd have to be patched (half a BILLION???) and towed to Poland where the ship-yards can repair her. Your cannot take a "derelict" (no power, no steering) thru the Panama Canal, so no Asian ship-yards. It bad when the breakers can't salvage her aluminum upper-works for scrap. The "killer" of the SS USS? The Boeing 707.

[@CliveReddin]

Better than ending up as scrap steel At least it will have a purpose. The thing is, liners and any ship not being used require ongoing maintenance and that is expensive.

[@MarkWick]

I agree with what is said here, with one slight exception. As least some of us who were among her passengers, do greatly value and respect her. She will be missed by us although not for long as we will soon be with her as just fading memories.

[@BrocksOtherVideos]

An excellent point. Certainly, to those who served and sailed on her, the enthusiasm was there. But to ensure her survival, she should have been preserved to let others share in that feeling - or at least have a taste of it. Many liners died so young, but there was still a chance with The Big U.

[@Larry_the_Snowman]

And yet y'all saved a British ship over the SS United States, ironic.

[@stevew270]

It's a horrible thing, just proves that today's society just doesn't give a damn, otherwise she would be saved.

[@junmatsu5170-f2z]

一時期には復元して再度就航させる、と言う話も有った様ですが、いかんせん放置期間が長過ぎました。 クイーン・メリー号の様にホテルとかの用途に使われて居ればエンジン等の機関類や、 各種機器類のアップデート、SOLAS規格に適合出来る仕様に改装出来る可能性も無かった訳では無いだけに残念です。 SSユナイテッド・ステーツ、長い間お疲れ様でした。ゆっくり休んで下さい。 出来る事なら復元された優雅な姿を見て見たかったです。

[@divox9pqr]

Just a minute…The SS United States had the reputation of being the fastest ship afloat, yet you state that the Mauritania had that title.

[@jdslyman1720]

The Mauritania was an older ship that held the Blue Riband for years until a few German ships had it I think, then the Normandie had it, then the Queen Mary had it, and then finally, the SS United States had it, and still is the fastest liner to cross the Atlantic.

[@BrocksOtherVideos]

Yes, thank you for pointing that out - it can be confusing, but the Blue Riband (later immortalized as the Hales Trophy) changed hands many times. Mauretania only held it from 1907-1929. If you're interested in the full history, I'd highly recommend any of the videos and channels in the description, especially the documentary "Floating Palaces."

[@Andrew-df1dr]

Will it be a dive wreck? If so, that could be good for tourism.

[@soulhunter7451]

How ominous that this almost resounds a future account of the United States as a country. There are no coincidences in this life. May God have mercy on this country and may it not see the fate of this ship. God bless you all.

[@CatBully61]

Good analogy and sadly true.

[@ksorsomeplace]

A video that got it right. It's not a new era, but a slow death out of the public eye entirely under the water. A loss of rare history (hardly any ocean liners survive in any form) and one that achieved so much in design, too. The U.S. needs a "little nationalism" and some education. Imagine, for example, what could have been achieved what just a portion of all the money being spent on this years elections..... Just $1 (less than the cost of a latte) from every man, woman, and child could have went a tremendous way in preserving the ship. Open it up to talented designers to create the new interiors. Open it up to create a state of art power plant (that would be capable of doing at least what the original was). Why the intense opposition to doing this? I mean, Cunard, has ships that still make the transatlantic voyage. The only the airplane has, is speed. Otherwise, the ocean liner wins in all respects: food, accommodation, activities, and so forth. Meanwhile in the airplane you barely have enough room to turnaround.

[@styldsteel1]

You have very good ideas, however the general public. Couldn't give a lock about any of this. Today's cruising public wants balconies. Hundreds of them, effectively making the ship look like an apartment building layed down on its side. They demand a circus on the ocean. Water slides, race tracks. There is very very little interest in ultra luxury. Today's generation, for the most part are pretty common and simple.

[@BrocksOtherVideos]

Thank you - and I couldn't agree more. This was an unnecessary travesty.

[@ksorsomeplace]

@@styldsteel1 Thank you! Good observations. The last one is one that is most interesting.

[@styldsteel1]

Thank you ​@@ksorsomeplace

[@graeschuster4952]

Where is Elon Musk or that egg head guy, or maybe the lizard one? One of them could buy this thing and make it glamorous again.

[@awildjared1396]

Too busy letting progress stand in the way of tradition.

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

Too busy bribing people to vote for a 78 year old convicted felon.

[@awildjared1396]

@@LGD2051 what else are they gonna spend it on?

[@superdingo9741]

Where were you all the time if the vessel is so valuable to you? The campaign to save her has been going on for many years, and I doubt you sent them at least $1.

[@awildjared1396]

@@superdingo9741 maybe because I’m a minor and I don’t have any digital means of contributing

[@Neptune997]

😢😢😢

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

No AY on "Trieste." tree'-estt.

[@BrocksOtherVideos]

Hedged my bets on that one - thank you for correcting me.

[@samuellourenco1050]

Environmentalist idiocy at work.

[@subzerofromny735]

All the Europeans are celebrating