Glimmer of Hope for SS United States? FU to Ominous News - FU to Giant Wrench Thread

[Don Kiyoti]

From the SS United States Conservancy website:

"The current owner of the SS UNITED STATES has informed the SS United States Conservancy that important conditions have been imposed on the terms of the ship's sale. Star Cruises, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has disclosed that the ship will only be sold to a U.S. buyer and will not be sold for scrap. The vessel has now officially been listed with the Florida-based ship brokerage, Southport Atlantic."

http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/blog/

Let us hope someone steps up with cash and a plan. The people of Philadelphia have become quite fond of the Big U and that city already has a number of historic ships on display along the riverfront. Even with just the exterior restored and opened to visitors, the ship would be quite an attraction. Since the interior is gutted, it can be seen as a blank slate for redevelopment into lodging, shops, restaurants, etc.

[tenders]

The amount of raw cash that can be poured into an old ship for sentimental purposes without any discernible effect on the ship's commercial, historical, or sightseeing viability is astonishing.

Structural issues...environmental issues...safety issues...real estate issues...staffing issues...and those are just the tip of the iceberg.

[cbelt3]

tenders- they did get rid of the Asbestos, as I recall.

[NewtonMP2100]

. . .that is a lot of FUs. . .

[Don Kiyoti]

cbelt3, you are correct: the asbestos was removed in the 1980s.

Newt, sorry for all the FUs!

[The UnDoug]

Thanks for the update. As a Philadelphian, I would love for the ship to stay here and become a historical tourist spot.

[Racer X]

tenders wrote:
The amount of raw cash that can be poured into an old ship for sentimental purposes without any discernible effect on the ship's commercial, historical, or sightseeing viability is astonishing.

Structural issues...environmental issues...safety issues...real estate issues...staffing issues...and those are just the tip of the iceberg.

no need to tell me. We have to deal with the Sea Slug up here

[tenders]

> cbelt3, you are correct: the asbestos was removed in the 1980s.

Great. The lead paint above the waterline, and the tin paint below the waterline, will just take a few million bucks and a year or two to get off. Of course, "rust never sleeps" while this is happening...and factor in an economic crisis, a change in political leadership at the local level with a different set of priorities, some vocal waterfront real estate interests whose clientele doesn't like staring at a rusty hulk while they're eating lobsters or cheesesteaks or whatever, and you've got ten years of a bona fide civic eyesore going there before you know it!

Just being realistic. Yes, it was magnificent ship!