SS United States: Lady in Waiting NEW Extended Trailer

[emjaytwelve]

probably headed to india for scrap !!

[warty2200]

Too bad the money wasted on Solyndra didn't go towards this great ship instead. $535 million would have had this national treasure running at 45 knots once again.

[VinylConvert]

Very well put together video, I love how it flips back and forth between what she once was and her current state.

[phantomsf]

In light of the America's Cup coming to San Francisco, why not bring her here? The Port of San Francisco would be an ideal harbor - either as museum, hotel or restaurant - or still in active use for South America excursions. I've actually contacted the newly elected mayor of our city about this, just yesterday - and awaiting response.

[TheYarxia]

Were there records kept of who bought what when all her fittings were auctioned off in 1984? I'm wondering if it's possible to track down one of theose Steinway Pianos...

[marieprewett]

If she's a symbol of American pride, maybe that's why fund raising in heavily Democratic Philadelphia and New York is so tough. A lot of people there believe that this country sucks and has a lot be be sorry for. What a shame. The SS United States represents an era when we found ways to do things better, faster, and more efficiently. It's a spirt we've lost, and if she's a reminder of that spirit she won't be allowed to survive.

[localfive0]

@marieprewett If Obama was anti-American pride as you say he is, why did he order Osama Bin Laden's execution?

[marieprewett]

@localfive0 I'll speculate that it's so he can say that he got him and Bush didn't.

[localfive0]

@marieprewett I'll speculate that you're either Republican, or racist.

[marieprewett]

@localfive0 You may be correct but this thread is not hte place for political discussion.

[localfive0]

@marieprewett O.o Whatever you say.

[brotmann86]

there are so many admirers across the world and its such an icon. i dont get why nobody with money seems to care about this treasure we still have here. i mean she would be such a perfect piece for manhattan as everyons so interestet in the history of ny with all the ships that used to conect america and europe for so long

[cenielsen]

Fantastic documentary, anyone with an interest in sailing, cruising, or maritime history should watch this. All that this ship could do was matched only by all that it represented for America and her people.

[gemmyfreak2871]

she was saved on july 1st so when i saw it over thanksgiving break it was being repainted

[bigshipfilms]

@gemmyfreak2871 Not sure what activity you might have seen aboard the ship at Thanksgiving, but she is not currently being repainted, nor is she technically saved. She has a 20 month "stay of execution," now more than ever those who wish to see her permanently saved should get involved in the ongoing effort. Just wanted to clarify.

[TheBlueRiband1]

@bigshipfilms so, what's going on with it?

[bigshipfilms]

@TheBlueRiband1 Check out ssunitedstatesconservancyDOTor­g for all the lasts SSUS news!

[Haffschlappe]

please ask the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for helping saving this greatest ship of all?

Main Office

PO Box 23350

Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 709-3100

[Haffschlappe]

Please save this masterpiece of shipbuilding!!

I am from Hamburg Germany, my grandfather built the well known German Hapag ships like SS Bremen and SS Europa so I know how valuable the Big U is for the whole

maritime world history, better cancel your space program for the next 100 Years but please save this ship Who needs a Mars Travel if you cant even afford saving your maritime history?!?

[bigshipfilms]

@finfred Actually, I believe there were 11 Steinway pianos aboard...

[jimmyzat]

The SS United States burned bunker C, not diesel. Consider your cost at 2/3 that amount, at least (and that's considering operating the ship at liner service speed) and check your facts. Consider that ships such as Norway, Independence, and Constitution operated as cruise ships with similar (although not as powerful) propulsion plants as the SSUS. Plus the SSUS could demand a higher price based on her history and uniqueness. It is far from implausible, although admittedly still a huge undert

[bigshipfilms]

@wrather Important to note the ship HAS NOT BEEN SAVED. The Lenfest donation gives only a 20 month reprieve and pays the cost of purchasing the ship and monthly maintenance for two years. The funds to restore her must be raised by the Conservancy. So again, THE SHIP HAS NOT BEEN SAVED.

[Aku666Torres]

I am late getting into ships, and after seeing the RMS Queen Mary all my life, just am fully appreciating her. This Ship SS United States is beautiful =-)

Can anyone tell me why ships from that ers are more beautiful than the new liners of today?

[Streetcar1743]

I would love to see this ship saved and run again. Flying accross the ocean in an airplane is just plain stupid! Cramped seats, tons of secufrity issues with airplanes, and not one airliner can take you accross the ocean and let you pick your own seat. Only on a ship you can do that. Now lets get the ball rolling and make this ship sail again! New York to Southapton ON A SHIP!!!

[4freespeech]

The SS United States' oil-steam turbines burn 215,000 gallons of diesel fuel

PER DAY. With diesel fuel wholesale at $2 per gallon, that's $430,000 PER

DAY just for FUEL! The United States was designed top-secret as a super

fast prototype Navy warship. It was built financed by the U.S. Gov't and

subsidized for the first 15 years of its career. NO WAY can this ship EVER

be operated on a profitable basis. Maybe as a hotel or restaurant, or

refitted with modern diesels...much too expensive!

[4freespeech]

Easy to say "SAVE HER!" without realizing what would be involved.

The United States is the only ship of her size built out of ALUMINUM.

Does anyone know what aluminum does when exposed to SALT WATER?

Without constant service the aluminum corrodes very quickly, and even

the electrical wiring in the ship was aluminum and is corroded beyond

repair. It made the United States the fastest ship, but aluminum was to

be its downfall. It would have to be completely rebuilt now, costing MILLIONS.

[rebaguy]

I just watched the movie awhile ago and really enjoyed it. I used to see this ship parked in Newport News in the early '90s. I was always so fascinated by it when passing by and wondered what it had been like. I sure wish it could sail again. Such a shame that it sits there rusting. I bet Norweigen Cruise Lines could have made plenty of money off this ship if they'd followed through. Hope some rich person comes along soon before it's too late. Somebody start a petition with Bill Gates!

[jimmyzat]

Aside from her historical significance, she is probably the best candidate for preservation than any other ship in the world. To the layman she looks like a mess, but she is in remarkably good condition after 40 years of neglect. The superstructure is entirely aluminum (notice worn paint but no rust above the hull!), the hull has been surveyed at 92% original, and the plant is largely in-tact. The interior is gutted but free of asbestos and a clean slate to build on! A perfect opportunity.

[MrTallships]

I have purchased the video and I was also at the first viewing of lady in waiting on the RMS Queen Mary. You all should get the video, SOS Save our ship!!!!

[lionOFjudah33]

I really wish this beautiful ship is saved. If they're going to scrap it, they should scuttle it to make an artficial reef. At least divers will get to enjoy it.

[eaglerocks1]

Looks like you guys might get your wish. The Conservancy has a little over 3mil and has been able to convince the company owning the ship to strike a deal for them to buy it and ignore the offer made by a scapper comp. The Conservancy has to buy the ship between now and Feb 2011. please EPA, then turn the ship into a hotel or development.

[majaorca100]

this historic icon really should be saved...if the ss rotterdam could be saved, why not this beauty!! I really hope she won't end up like the Norway...seeing that historic color footage of her makes you realize how beautiful she once was. It's a miracle that she has outlived so many liners that were in a much better condition that she is when they headed for the breakers.

[majaorca100]

I really hope she'll be saved...it'd be awful to lose this beautiful liner

[betsystett]

I grew up on the United States making 2 trips on her per year for almost 17 years. It's a crime that she has been allowed to fall into such disrepair and abandonned.

[werksdesign]

Who is the congressman in the district where she's tied up? If those people in that district would write their member of congress and everyone else across the country who wants this ship saved would write and email their member of congress, then maybe we can get something done.

[werksdesign]

I sent an email to my congressman. I have asked others in my district to send letters and emails to him also. If everyone who wants to save the SS United States would do the same, in an effort to save her, put men and women back to work restoring her, maybe we can save her.

[classy8888]

(2) Greed, The quest for MORE, has driven the American Engine Room for most of its history. Preservation of history , is present , but not a high priority. Only luck prevented Thos Edisons first Tinfoil phonograph from being discarded.

[classy8888]

I think it's called apathy. It's an old story, If somebody really WANTS to do something then they WILL. The american people have had a VERY long time to act on this matter, and done ...... NOTHING. At the death knell ,and only then, there is a great outpouring of emotion. I think it is sad for the loss of the ship and its chattels.  But more I am sad for the americans as a people. Just think of how much they all spent, going along to see a recent moving picture, made by a certain Mr. Cameron

[zequelll]

this ship needs to be saved its one of the last of its kind and its appearance represents America

[Lilyankee2424]

It was reported in March 2010 that scrapping bids for the ship are being collected. Norwegian Cruise Lines, in a press release, noted that there are large costs associated with keeping United States afloat in her current state—around $800,000 a year—and that, as the SS United States Conservancy has not been able to tender an offer for the ship, the company was actively seeking a "suitable buyer

[Abricialio]

I have contacted the White House with a long message, I hope they get involved to save this ship!

[readysetrise]

We must save our history. Like with the National Park System....here's a chance to do it right, again.

[buickboy92]

Everyone, We must save Her!!! It will just not be right to scrap her!!! Just think of all the Jobs we could make if we restored and saved Her!!!

[Peekarica]

The SS Rotterdam IV was saved!

The SS Queen Mary I was saved!

The SS united States must be saved!

[zeemeerminnengek]

@Peekarica And now she is!!!

[Abricialio]

If I had so much money, over millions of euro's I would bought her and fix her to the good old style!

[sweetnessboy1]

We love this ship, she's amazing. It's going to be hard to see her go, and I hope that shen never does.

[tcb3001]

Please save this beautiful ship! One of the last big ocean liners of the "old time"!

[Neobn]

She is really beautiful but needs to be saved. It´ll be worth it. Its pretty much the same like with the Olympic. Back then nobody cared. Today: Historians and Fans are digging for pieces of her. This same will be happening to the S.S. UNITED STATES. God Bless her! *salute*

[hinanochick]

it seems AMERICANS dont care much with ALL the US money nobody did a thing and you talk about american made cars? sheesh how come german and japanese cars are BETTER? because americans dont care and what happened to this ship is the proof

[NJRocks281]

@hinanochick most Americans don't even know this ship exists

[dogsbd]

Americans have preserved more historic ships than any other nation on the planet.

[Roadracer987654321]

If Ships can be Sexy, then The S.S. United States is a Piece of Ass.

[Tallshipdreamer]

You would think the American Government could come up with a grant for the right person or group to save her, no they're too busy trying to save their own As*es. SEE MY S.S. United States Video on youtube. under Tallshipdreamer.

[dodge889]

she is a relly nice ship and norwegian cruise lines own her right now

when they are done building the norwegain epic they should restore her and sail her

[dodge889]

so sad i this ship to live and sail again

[lasuvidaboy]

Sadly most people have never heard of her, her history and her fame when first built. 2-generartions have been born in the years since she was retired and she is now long forgotten. Most young people have few interests and famous ocean liners are'nt one of them.

[Streetcar1743]

This ship needs to be restored!!! One of the best ships of all time. No ship today comes this close to the U.S.S. UNTED STATES!

[DerAdventurer]

2.

And after all these years, America is losing what it counts more to fuel its spirit ahead, its icons. THE SS UNITED STATES, which I went to meet because I was told it's a superb machine from mankind(and indeed, it is superb), is one of these icons. It represents America, as Frank Sinatra, as Cadillac, as General Motors. And I don't know what is happening, but something or someone(or 'someones') is allowing it to die.

Please don't. Please save SS US.

[DerAdventurer]

1.

I'm not american, but please allow me to say this. The United States of America is a country which has been built over fight. Nothing came easily and no effort was in vain. And after all the way, America achieved its success and did celebrate it in many ways. Just to say some symbols of pride, you could name Cadillac and general american automobiles from 1950s. They are iconic. And 'icon' is a very important word to the american spirit. It's like its gasoline. It powers the american dream.

[mileyooxx]

is she really going to be scrapped now?

[cruisesstar22]

She shouldnt be scrapped up or anything she should live

[Kleman09]

for heaven's sake America, this is your pride. She broke the record again for the USA and now you are letting her rot and become food for the scrappers?? Shame on you people. Restore the SS United States and all steam locomotives as well. "A natin that dose not preserve her past, has no future"!!!!!

[cwag123]

ok to restore all of the steam locomotives is pushing it. but this is something that im sure we can get to obama and he will except it. but thats it how to get it to obama.

[ManWhoLovesTheMary]

A symbol of American pride and culture! The Lincoln Memorial, the Washinton Monument, the White House, etc., would never be treated this way.

And I totally agree on painting the ships funnels! It just might show people how incredible of a specticale she is.

[hollbri]

slim ,fast and beautiful-and not as fat und ugly as todays cruise ships.a legend

[adjn1973]

Ssssshh! Did you hear that?! It was the spark of an expectent ship breakers torch! Chains and wrecking ball at the ready. Big U. Comin to a beach near Alang, ...soon!

[1leadking]

Every time I go to Phillie I look at her. How sad to see what has happened to her. I would gladly donate to her restoration as I did for the Statue of Liberty. These are symbols of America that deserve our support.

[Kleman09]

agreed

[roblightbody]

Great Video!

Somebody Save Her!!

PAINT HER FUNNELS - that way people passing her will see a glimmer of what once was, and what could be again...

[jayebirdny]

Good work Big Ship Films! this is a great way to put this important message out there.

[captcarl13]

My grandfather worked on board the Big U for nearly her lifetime. I saw her this summer in Philadelphia this summer. It breaks my heart seeing her like this. It's a story that everybody needs to know.